Her mother, the wonderful Sheye asked me way back in March if she could commission me to do a drawing of her daughter, Ava. Through Sheye's incredible art direction this developed into a series of illustrations that pushed me both creatively (Ava was a girly girl and therefor obviously loved pink, a colour I normally avoid!) and emotionally, I would spend hours reading Sheye's beautiful blog & looking at her stunning photographs of children. This is one of MANY, many favourites, I chose it because it reminds me of what I try so hard to capture when I draw.
Sheye has asked me to share these images with everyone, so I will be selling them as prints in my Etsy shop and a percentage of the sales will go to the hospital which cared for Ava. I'm not brilliant with words, so I'll just show you the pictures.
Ava and the Carousel
Flowers for Mummy
Ava in Wonderland
Hush Little Mermaid
Ava with Wings
this work is stunningly sweet. i just visited Ava's mom's blog and am in tears. thanks for sharing this. i too am no good with words.
ReplyDeleteThese are just amazing.You must feel very honoured.Ava's story is so tragic and yet I always find Sheyes writing so uplifting.
ReplyDeletemy maya rose was born the same year as ava.
ReplyDeletemy heart aches for sheye...i cannot even begin to imagine.
your drawings speak volumes, mandy...they capture the essence of a little princess who was loved MORE then words can say.
thank you for sharing this story and your talent with the world.
love,
kirsten
xo
I haven't gone over to Sheyes blog yet because I just wanted to react straight away to the prints - they are absolutely beautiful ! and I will be buying some for my little Margot
ReplyDeleteOk - then I bought the prints, then I went to Sheyes blog , then I read it , now I can barely breathe with the enormity of what people face - but am glad I bought the prints and that there is a donation to the Mater (where most of my siblings were born btw)...
ReplyDeleteThose are fantastic. What a darling little girl, too. Absolutely beautiful. There needs to be a story or a poem to go with those.
ReplyDeleteMandy your work is truely breath taking. The detail, fantasy, love, beauty you capture... it's all just amazing. Sheye has been sharing these with me along the way and each time you have literally taken my breath away. x
ReplyDeleteMandy you know how I feel, you must be tired of my ranting and raving but I'll tell you again..you have delighted me beyond all expectations, ten fold..
ReplyDeleteI could never express just how special and treasured your illustrations are..
I sometimes feel like I dare not peek at them, they have such an impact when I do.
From the bottom of my heart, from all of my family..thankyou.
Sheye xxx
My heart was just broken after reading Ava's story....I just cried and cried and cried. I have a three year old son and just cannot even imagine the pain....
ReplyDeleteI am hurrying on over to buy one of your prints!
they are just beautiful Mandy, and so special for Ava's family.
ReplyDeletein tears mandy. waiting for my little boy to wake up from his nap and feeling so thankful.
ReplyDeletethese are lovely...and sensitive. what a beautiful little girl.
x
Thank you for these divine drawings Mandy. They are breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI am a friend of Sheye's and sadly now my young daughters will grow up without knowing Ava.
I have bought your prints & will hang them in their bedrooms so as my girls grow they can learn about Ava & the gift she was to so many of us. I love that she will be marvelled upon every day in our home.
We will treasure these always.
Leanne
What a beautiful tribute - such an amazing way to share your talent ... thank you, Mandy!
ReplyDeleteThese are beautiful. In all of your images you capture the sweetness of childhood so perfectly. They are simply amazing.
ReplyDeleteOH my goodness...my heart is broken for her family! I cried big tears! I just sent all of my friends and family the postcard. I live in an extremely hot city and it is a harsh reminder but needed. As always your illustrations are beautiful and what a wonderful gift!
ReplyDeletetake care :)
These are so beautiful. What a priceless tribute to a gorgeous little girl. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt's plain to see how much this means to Ava's family. What a beautiful way to use your gift.
These are SOOOO awesome! I saw these the other day before I ever saw this post. I hearted them all. You are just...so...talented!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely stunning. you KNOW i need all of these but maybe just one will have to be enough. have checked the link to the memory of Ava site and i still have tears in my eyes. so tragic to lose someone so young. my heart goes out to her mother.
ReplyDeleteOmigosh...I can't even speak or think at this moment. Thanks for sharing this. Oh my I am going to cry and go squeeze my three.
ReplyDeleteYour work is so beautiful Mandy. I have two wonderful daughters who bless every minute of my life and I am also mother to two tiny babies, boy and girl twins, who were not ready for this world and I had to say goodbye to before I even knew them. It was three months ago but reading the story of this amazing little girl's life brought the tears back, but in a way that told me that there is such love and strength in this world, even through the tears.
ReplyDeletexxoo naomi
Mandy, thank you for sharing Ava's story with me through the prints. I went to Sheye's memoriam site and was brought to tears by what I read. Ella is only two weeks younger than Ava was. I'm so grateful for all I have and only wish it weren't highlighted more by someone elses loss. I think Sheye and her family are amazing for sharing their love of their daughter with everyone. As proud as they have every right to be, I can only imagine how raw it must be, every single day.
ReplyDeleteLike so many I am writing this with tears rolling down my cheeks after reading Sheyes blog. What a beautiful girl and beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeletei have been dwelling on Ava and her story the past 24 hours. thank you for sharing your art and her story. What a beautiful girl. I am still so moved.
ReplyDeleteMandy, these are so beautiful, and it makes me feel a little better that you were so obviously able to capture the little girl..what a heartbreaking story. I'm going to go hug my little girl.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous illustrations and a beautiful site. You inspire me to find more beauty in my life. To MAKE more beauty. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank You for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think Sheye has a most beautiful blog and photos I`ve ever seen.
I read the story and I was heartbroken. But I know that she is strong and I`m so inspired by her and by Your art too!
Thank You so much for every big and little emotion you and Sheye and Ava has awoken in me.
I know I will never forget her...
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ReplyDeleteHi ...i just love your work so much - they really capture the little girl that was Ava - stunning ,sweet, pure and angelic. I hope you dont mind but i have tagged you. if you are keen just go to my site and read the rules. Cheers, Lou
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteI adore your works! You have such a sweet style and you really capture children so well. I found your blog through Anne-Julie's blog... You are amazing and I am adding you to my blog links. Also I've visited Sheyes blog because of your post and it brought tears to my eyes... thanks for sharing this with us. I am not good with words either, but I believe your beautiful illustrations must bring a lot of comforts to the Ava's family during the difficult time.
ReplyDeleteSending love to Ava's mom from Thailand. Wow, what an incredibly beautiful little girl Ava was. I've very rarely seen a child that beautiful! How terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mandy, as always, your work is simply beautiful!
these are gorgeous!
ReplyDeletex