Camp Good Times
Cancer Camp Teens Paint Self Portraits with artist James Picard
Photographs courtesy of Debbie Lawrance
On July 1st and 2nd, internationally recognized Vancouver artist James Picard, along with 50 teenagers, sketched and created self-portraits in a painting frenzy that went on late into the night. Spotlights were set up as the sun slowly set in the serene setting of Loon Lake in Maple Ridge.
James Picard has been teaching children and teens how to paint for over a decade. From youth at risk in Harlem to underprivileged and sick children across BC, James has brought creativity to those who need it most. With the help from Opus and a few other sponsors who donated supplies for the two-day workshop, James, along with the help of several volunteers including two of his long-time students, helped the Camp Good Times teens bring out their creative inner artist with a day of sketching and on the following day, turning sketches into canvas paintings.
Many of the teens had never painted before and were somewhat reluctant to create an image of themselves but their efforts surpassed all expectations that the workshop held. "The final paintings were astonishing and the energy, enthusiasm and talent were awe-inspiring," said Picard, "It was so wonderful to be involved in such an exciting and worthwhile project."
This was the first time that the teen program (ages 15 to 18) was held at Camp Good Times and was a resounding success, based on the thunderous applause and hollering of all paint splattered participants. Camp Good Times was established by the Canadian Cancer Society in 1985 and provides, at no cost to the family, a safe, happy and challenging camping experience for children aged 6 to 18 who have been affected by cancer. For more information please go to www.jamespicard.com or www.bc.cancer.ca
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