Three years ago, Sidney artist Odette Laroche made a Remembrance Day mural from a place of compassion, and she hopes the message and mission remain as strong as ever.
"I was inspired to take on this project because I like a challenge and because I wanted it to be a fundraiser for the veterans. As we all have seen many are on the streets with not much hope, no jobs, no home after their service for our country. This is not right," she said.
Lorrie Weston, branch manager at Trafalgar/Pro Patria Branch 292, added that there is a "huge homeless community" of veterans right now.
The vibrant, beautiful mural, found in the poppy room at Trafalgar Legion branch 292, recreates Georgia O'Keeffe's famous poppy painting, using smaller paintings made by Laroche and her art students.
Each student was assigned a space, colour palette, and a painting from the Old Masters, such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt or Cezanne. It was a complicated and time-consuming project for Laroche, who had to research and develop the concept. It took six months to make and 30 paintings by 10 separate painters on 12x24-inch panels.
Laroche, who has personal ties to the project as her son was in the U.S. Marines and "affected by war" said it was very meaningful and gratifying thanks to the help from her students.
Initially, she set out to raise funds with the project three years ago and was able to provide $900 to Legion Manor Victoria in Colwood. She had hoped to sell the 6x8-foot mural to a sponsor but ended up donating it to the Legion.
Wielding her power as an artist to inspire, Laroche hopes her work will continue to motivate people to give directly to the Legion or Legion Manor Victoria in Colwood, which offers affordable housing and assisted living for veterans.
"We need more facilities like this one and I do hope that donations come pouring in for the veterans who put their lives on the line for our sake."
Video and image of the Poppy Project can be found at odettelarocheart.com.
