A4H(TM) illustration

A4H “Arts4HumanityTM”

Illustration By Donna Massa.  2018

Arts4Humanity is a not-for- social enterprise* with the slogan “For The Benefit Of All” It is owned and operated by its founder Musician singer, song-writer and music producer Jeff Hayford.  Jeff came up with the unique name and logo including his tattoo in 2003.  However, the humanitarian events he was implementing through music and entertainment began a long time ago.  Jeff was born a humanitarian and helped humanity in all sorts of creative ways.  

The concept behind A4H is basically helping rase money for causes by holding events that bring professional musicians together to play music and entertain.  He has helped the Kidney Foundation, Feeding America, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, devastations after natural disasters for clothing, food and shelter, and the Alzheimer’s Association. 

My Illustration theme are hands.  It is through the hands of artists that their expression comes from.  The hands represent different mediums of expression form playing a guitar, painting, a ballet dancers hands, writers, and the clasping of two hands in unity.  

The guitar’s fret markers are Native American, Iquique, geometric, symbols meaning health, prosperity, and a long life.  The headstock of the guitar is the dove a symbol of peace and on each side as the strings fan out is the Olive branch and the Lotus flower.  The fingers on the neck form an E Augmented movable chord symbolizing the essential natural tuning of guitars.  The key of E is the collective and the most common key of the instrument.  The purple ribbon intertwines through the hands, symbolizing many physical disorders including ADHD, and Cancer, they connect to a geometric symbol of two triangles.  The symbolIic meaning of double triangles has to do with freedom of expression, and the four elements fire, earth water, and air.  These two triangles rest within the unity symbol symbolizing having all four elements in perfect balance.  The large heart is love and the entire illustration lies within it.  At the base of the heart is the logo A4H. This is the foundation of the entire concept by supporting the Fine & Performing Arts & Humanity, “For The Benefit Of All.” Throughout history Arts and Humanities have had a unique relationship. 

*A not for profit social enterprise is funded by affiliated businesses rather than relying on donations. 💜

A4hpros.blogspot.com  @a4hpros

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Christmas Card

Mother & Child “Precious Gifts”

Illustration: Christmas Card   2010

This was the first Christmas card I created in Pen & Ink using the concept of mother & child.  However in this illustration I chose to have two little girls and their mother pregnant with another on the way.

Although this could be used as a wedding card, the concept behind this illustration symbolizes children being precious gifts from God or from your Creator.  Babies are little angels and they bring parents immense joy!  Children are growing angels that cease to amaze us all in the words they say, and the actions they take to make us laugh.  They’re pure and innocent souls that depend on us in every way.  When they get to be an adolescent these precious gifts become challenging keeping us on our toes!  This is the time when we need to give extra guidance if they’ll listen.  It’s an awkward age, and girls are different from boys.  If we can get them through these years without finding a few gray strands of hair its miracle.  When they become young adults they are ready for college and are preparing to leave the nest.  We get involved with all the college festivities and watch them mature and grow.  After college some come back home due to financial dependency, others can’t find a job in their field, or their unable to find roommates or a romantic partner to help them share expenses.  

Once in their mid to late twenties they get a feel for what they may want to do with their lives however they will ask for guidance, advice, and sometimes financial help.

Parents and single parents know no mater what age your children are they will always need your love, wisdom, help and guidance.  Once a parent always a parent the job is never really over.

Then comes a time when they bing more precious gifts, grandchildren.  This is a great time because when you get tired they take their precious gifts and go home leaving you to take Advil and rest.  

In the end the roles are reversed and these precious gifts take care of you.  They worry about you, some take care of you, and all they want is for you to feel secure, protected, healthy, and content.  

They are truly precious gifts all through our lives however, one lesson is for sure how much love, time, and effort we give to these precious gifts is what we will get back in return…🎁

 

Christmas Card

The Christmas Peace Angel

Illustration: Christmas Card.  2009

The idea for this card came during a life altering six months after the passing of Michael Jackson.  This year was a spiritual awaking for me, and since this unequivocal event, I have never been the same.  To say the least it was the most incredible and unforgettable incident of my life!

My spiritual awareness was heightened and everything and everyone was connected.  I felt an enormous flow of unconditional love, creativity, and empathy for the human condition.  

This angel illustration is just one means of expression as to how I was feeling.  An overwhelming sense of serenity and peace was surrounding my tranquil exterior this particular Holiday Season like no other.  I thought it quite appropriate to create this Peace Angel.  

It seems she is needed every year, and I wonder when during my lifetime there will a time of peace throughout the world for one minute, day, week, month, year, or years…. 

I suppose World Peace will be my Christmas manifestation every year, and perhaps the Universe will eventually grant it… 

 

Christmas Card

The Nutcracker 

Illustration: Christmas Card   2008

The Nutcracker is a traditional Christmas ballet.  In this illustration I took the two main characters in the story and put them at center stage.  It is love that has brought them together, and even though he is a stoic wooden soldier,  Clara is intensely drawn to him.  She loves him no matter what size, shape, color, or form!  

The Christmas season is all about love.  Like in the story of the Nutcracker, Clara dreams about an imaginary fantasy by which her beloved nutcracker becomes a prince!  

The Christmas season is about children, and their vivid imaginations of meeting Santa Claus telling him their inner most secrets and their wishes.  It is a magical time for children as well as adults in believing that anything is possible.  It is also a time for giving and receiving.  An exchange of gifts to show our love and appreciation for each other.  Children are the real receivers of this wondrous and joyous time.  They are center stage, and the most important part of us no matter what ages they are.

The nutcracker is a symbol of faith in believing.  Believing that no matter what the circumstances are we overcome them, by putting ourselves aside, and worry about others.  This is also a cheerful, festive, merry, and bright time to get together in celebration.  It’s a time of peace around the world, unconditional love, unwavering hope, and as a collective unity for humanity.  It’s a time when all is possible, and nothing is unattainable if we have unhesitating faith.  

The spirit of The Christmas Season is a mystical time for our souls, it allows all of us to remind ourselves it is through love that we feel our best selves, and the rewards we innately feel by giving unselfishly to others unconditionally without conditions…💂🏼

 

Christmas Card

The Magic of Christmas

Illustration: Christmas Card   2007

As an Illustrator I sometimes want to work in a different Medium.  In this case I bought a set of colored fine tip pens.  In this illustration I wanted to use my imagination as if I were a child myself.  I asked, what about all the elves who help Santa? When they have a few minutes break from making toys where do they go?  I found out they go deep into the forests where it is motionless and quiet. 

They dwell high among the pine trees so they can’t be seen.  

I you notice to the right of the illustration there are two elves playing in a tree.  The male elf is in love, and he is showing off to get the female elf’s attention to look at him.  She is amazed by his strength and stability to support his legs around the tree.  This is the first time these two elf’s have met.  She has never noticed this elf before, and to her it was love at first sight!  She is simply adoring every move he makes staring into each other’s eyes.  They are whimsically happy, frolicking together secretly in the tree where no one can see them.  It is magic that bought them together.  You see, while working in the toy factory there are multiple floors with many different departments that have elf’s making particular toys.  They are trained specialists having no time to waste, for they must make all the toys before Christmas Day.  These two elf’s worked on different floor’s in different departments never having a chance to ever meet. 

As we all know, falling in love is a magical experience just as it is during the Christmas season, miracles have been known to happen, even for Santa’s little elf’s…🎅🏼

 

Christmas cards

A Christmas Wish

Illustration:  Christmas Card  2006

The idea for this card came to me because of a child.  Friends of mine have a little girl who is an angel.  She is a unique little girl and her name is Charlotte.  She came with her parents to visit me before Christmas and was looking under my tree.  She asked if any of the presents were for her?  I replied “yes, but you will have to find it.” She said, “how will I know?”  I said, “I’ll let you know when your are close to finding it, or you put your hand on it” and, she replied goody!”  It didn’t take her long as if she had already knew and said “this is mine!”  She sat down on the living room floor and politely asked “can I open it now?” And, I said yes!  She didn’t rip the paper off she took her time as if savoring the moment anticipating her surprise.  When she got to the box she said “its clothes!”  When she opened the box she saw a whole outfit, a pink knitted sweater with ivory lace trim, wild black and pink leopard leggings, a long sleeve black turtle neck top, a pink knitted scarf, pink knitted gloves with Ivory lace trim, and a pink knitted French beret hat.  Charlotte said, “I wished for this!”  I was surprisingly moved by her response.  I said, “why did you wish for this?”  Charlotte said, my favorite color is pink, and I have always wanted a whole set that came altogether so everything matches!”  

She melted my heart this little angel, I knew she genuinely great full and dashed to the bathroom and put the whole outfit on.  She came out looking like a doll.  She was so happy she ran over to me and softly whispered in my ear the words, I Love You…😇

 

 

Christmas Cards

Pookie’s First Christmas

Illustration: Christmas Card by Donna Massa  2005

Pookie was named after the character Pookie Adam’s brilliantly played by Liza Minnelli in the 1969 film “The Sterile Cuckoo.”  I adored and cherished that film along with the theme song “Come Saturday Morning” by The Sandpipers.  The film had a lasting impression on me especially Liza’s character Pookie Adams.  

If you’ve ever seen a Scottish Fold or owned one the breed is not as sophisticated as other breeds.  What I mean be this is, they are not as high strung.  Scottish Folds are mellow and make wonderful loving and gentle pets.  They are smaller in size and have a personality all their own.  They are smart and train well making excellent indoor cats.  Because of their naturally folded ears they are so adorable to look at you cannot resist holding them.  Some Scottish Fold breeds do not have the life span of regular domestic cats.  My Pookie only lived for ten years, however her untimely death was at the hands of an inexperienced veterinarian who failed to order a blood panel test before surgery.  Pookie was not ready to experience an operation putting her at risk for organ failure.  I was not aware that blood tests are needed before any form of surgery on any animal, this is something pet owners should be aware of.  She went in for a simple procedure on a troubled back tooth and was sent home never to recover.  She passed away within twenty four hours and I was devastated and heart broken. 

During Pookie’s life she instinctively knew when the season of Christmas was coming.  It could have been her instinctive ability to smell and feel the change in the air, and watch the snow falling.  The first time I put up a real Frazier Fur Pine tree, and watered it she loved the smell.  She would sit patiently in a chair facing the tree and watch me rap around the lights, and trim the entire tree.  I put a soft festive skirt under the tree, and waited for dusk.  When I turned on the colored lights her big, round, sky blue eyes light up.  She jumped off the chair, and nestled herself under the tree and slept there all night.  She loved the lights on the tree, and I knew she knew every year after her first experience she would innately know when it was Christmas.  It was literally her time to shine enjoying the lights, and sleeping under the Christmas tree until it was time to take it down.  

Because of her untimely death, this unexpected event left me grieving for months, so much so, I wanted to do something in her honor, and that wanted to create an illustrative Christmas Card in her memory.  The ironic part of this story is, because of this one Christmas card it propelled me to go back to my roots as a Fine Art illustrator.  I made a transition in my career from a former Fashion designer to a freelance illustrator.  From that moment on I never stoped illustrating to as we speak. 

I believe it is through her spirit that gave me the inspiration, and internal drive to become a Fine Art hand illustrator…😽  

 

The Voyagers Series

The Voyagers Series

Fashion Illustration by Donna Massa

Europe: When Drew & Erin first discovered time traveling they found themselves in a different century and a different contentment. They are immediately transformed in the traditional style of that particular century.  This is a time when bow and arrows were the main means of defense, protection, and security.  Their first time traveling was when they landed in Europe on a Spanish Tall Ship headed for Spain.  It is there where their incredible journey begins never really knowing what trials and tribulations lie ahead!

They experience many different adventures in Europe that eventually leads them back to their home in England during the Age of Camelott…🌎

 

The Voyagers Series

The Voyagers Series 

Fashion Illustration by Donna Massa

Meet Drew & Erin.  They’re brother and sister who live in London, England.  These are the two main characters in The Voyagers Series who time travel.  Drew in just a few months older then Erin making them very close in age.  Drew has a protective personality by nature especially for his sister Erin.  He is very adventurous yet cautious as he always puts safety ahead of danger.  On the other hand Erin is fearless she is not afraid of anything and loves all animals especially in the wild.  She has a special relationship with animals like that of a horse whisper and they are not afraid or aggressive towards her.  Drew and Erin’s characters and personalities are opposite in ways that balance each other out, this makes them ideal, compatible partners in everything they do together.  Their relationship is like that of twins, they are very close they do almost everything together.  Their qualities and traits are inquisitive, strong, vibrant, intelligent, loving, adventurous, courageous, and both share a passion for time travel to journey around the world…🌎

 

The Voyagers Series

The Voyagers Series I Europe

Illustration Back Cover by Donna Massa

The back cover of The Voyagers Series is the the most important ingredient of the Series regarding time traveling,  This is the crystal cave Erin & Drew explored when they first found the portal to time traveling.  It is through the golden waters when bathing that took them instantly on their journey to Europe.  This magical crystal cave called out to them.  The colors and shapes of the crystals, the swirling sands, and beauty of this magical cave intrigued their senses.  They couldn’t resist swimming in the pure cool golden waters to cleanse their bodies however, what they didn’t know was this was the gate-way to any of the seven Continent’s in the world…🌎

 

The Voyagers Europe

 

The Voyagers Series 1 Europe

Illustration Book Cover By Donna Massa

This was the first of the Voyager Series.  The first book by which author Will Rhame’s takes reading to a whole new level.  This is a innovative story that brings you to England during the Age of Camelott, the place where Erin & Drew were raised.  Their relationship with their parents, life at home and what leads them to finding the cave and portal to time travel, and their incredible journey ahead is what makes these two books so much fun to read.  The concept that the author puts together is a total pleasurable experience for the reader by make reading fun, entertaining, inspirational, magical, and rewarding.  There are a series of steps the reader must take before going through each chapter.  The challenges presented are in the form of games, crossword puzzles, and quizzes.  Each Chapter has a key word or hint that represents the moral of each story within the book. The whole concept is brilliant!  This is why I wanted to work with the author because I knew it was going to help children in a big way.

When it comes to humanitarian efforts, creative projects, and events this is where my passion lies.  I’m happiest when I’m creating especially when I’m of service to humanity trying to make the world a better place. L.O.V.E. 🌎

 

The Voyagers Series

 

The Voyagers Series II Africa

Illustration Back Cover by Donna Massa

In this illustration there is a chapter that talks about the thickly settled jungle that is a pathway Erin & Drew must go through before dark.  This is of great concern to both but more so for Drew as his imagination gets the best of him.  He is more cautious of wild animals then Erin.  Erin in not afraid of animals in the wild and has no fear attached to these creators they entail on their wonderos adventures in Africa…🌎

The Voyager Series

The Voyagers Series II Africa

Illustration Book Cover by Donna Massa

Let me start by saying it was a pleasure working with the Author Will D. Rhyme on this artistic project.  He has a unique vision of how children can learn to comprehend what they read.  He steps out of his comfort zone and developed a brilliant approach of how this process is played out in this series of two books.  When we spoke online  i as intrigued by his innovative vision.  When I was a child reading & comprehension was a difficult challenge for me so I understood how this process would help children retain what they read.

I read read his manuscript on the The Voyagers Africa and I could feel what the the cover of the book was going to look like and the characters. Two adolescents a brother Drew and sister Erin who go on adventures through time travel portal a crystal cave that is a secret place they’ve found.  

In the next three illustrations and two fashion illustrations I will visually show what the author had in mind when he wrote The Voyagers Series, Europe & Africa…🌎