Artist Aaron Kizer Celebrates St. Jude Founding Father Danny Thomas with Charity Painting [Video]
Artist, Aaron Kizer is at it again… painting amazing art on canvas in stunning speeds, all in the name of charity. Following his recent live art show and video shoot, 21812, Kizer decided to auction off his painting of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital founding father, Danny Thomas, that he painted in only 15 minutes.
Much like many of his paintings, he’s decided to donate 100% of proceeds from the painting directly to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee – as this marks the 50th anniversary of the facility. The daily operating cost of the hospital is $1.7 million dollars and it truly survives on donations from its supporters. Consequently, all proceeds from the sale of the Danny Thomas painting on eBay will go directly to St. Jude. Bid on the painting here.
This original artwork celebrates the man behind the mission and was unveiled at WBKR’s “Denim & Diamonds” concert fundraiser for St. Jude.
Below is a time lapse video showing the creation of this 30″ x 40″ painting on canvas.
Danny Thomas entered the world during a blizzard in Deerfield, Mich., on Jan. 6, 1912. He began to help support the family at age 10 by selling newspapers, and at 11 he became a candy maker in a burlesque theater, a job he held for seven years.
As a “starving actor” Thomas made a vow: If he found success, he would open a shrine dedicated to St Jude Thaddeus, the patron saint of hopeless causes. In 1962, Thomas founded the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, with help from Dr. Lemuel Diggs. The hospital has treated thousands of children for cancer. In 1996, Dr. Peter Doherty of St. Jude’s, was the co-recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work on how the immune system kills virus-infected cells.
Though Kizer hails from Ownensboro, KY, he has been featured to international audiences: Steve Jobs Speed Painting and Enjoy it While You Can – Street Art. His personal story is just as amazing as his art. Kizer’s story was recently featured on Eyewitness News; you can view the video here.
