This is a painting I created several weeks ago for a very special project. It started when I read a news report about an Oklahoma teen who was missing and feared sold into human trafficking. Today. In Oklahoma. All over the country. Modern slavery exists. It just turned my blood cold as I thought about the poor girl and her frantic family desperately searching for her.
Because of this story, I found myself finding out about OATH– Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans, which is a local agency standing up to human trafficking in all of its forms. As a daughter and a mother, the idea of someone taking a child or a young person and forcing them into terrible situations just horrified and angered me. I wanted to do something, and luckily OATH offered an opportunity for me, in the form of what I do best– art.
OATH is putting together a traveling art exhibit and the pieces involved will be sold and the proceeds donated to OATH to help support the program. After thinking about it for a while and trying to figure out how my style of art could fit with the purpose of OATH, I decided to paint about redemption and love and the worthiness of all human beings for love and dignity and freedom.
I feel very strongly that no human being is a ‘throw away person.’ And I wanted to make this point to any of the children or young people caught up in this terrible life that they deserved help and escape– and to also make this point to people who might see these victims and wonder if it was worth it to even get involved. I feel like…it’s always worth it. If you’re ever given an opportunity to be someone’s angel— do it.
And so….this piece happily went to support this great cause and I hope the proceeds from it goes to do some great work. It’s not much, but it’s something. And sometimes just a little something can turn into something really big and wonderful!
If you’d like to learn more about OATH and it’s cause or contribute in any way– visit HERE. They take donations for a variety of projects, and if you’d like to donate art, you can see THIS LINK.
~H
Sleightholm Folk Art 
What a fabulous contribution to have made to such a good cause. I'm with you on this … I'd never thought of it as being any kind of angel, but I think if we see something that needs to be done for someone and it's possible for us to do it, then we should. Here's hoping your lovely painting raises lots of funds 😀
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This is a beautiful and heartfelt painting to such an important cause. Human trafficking is a a horror that t needs all of us to support for getting it stopped world wide!!
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Just beautiful.
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I remember being shocked when I heard that Oklahoma City has a very busy human-trafficking trade. Evidently it's partly because I-35, I-40 and I-44 all converge in the city. It's horrible.Thanks for bringing a worthy cause to my attention and I'm glad you're supporting them with your lovely painting.
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i've heard about this happening all over the US and it makes me ill. I can't believe that in this time and in this country this is happening. Good for you for not only bringing it to attention, but also for giving to the cause!
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I can't believe human trafficking is actually something happening in the US. That's so scary! Beautiful painting Heather, such a comforting image.
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Thank you! I hope it helps some as well.
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Thank you, Winnie! It took me a bit to figure out how my type of art could relate to the cause, but I think I found the perfect fit! I hope that human trafficking soon becomes eradicated. It is just unacceptable in this day and age!
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THank you, Danzel!~
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I know, I was shocked to hear that this was happening here, but I think you're right, it's due in a large part to three very large interstates converging in OKC. I hope we can all become more vigilant about this, knowledge is power!~
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I know…I honestly had no idea it was such a huge thing going on. It's just a nightmare. I hope the more awareness we have though the more we can stop it!
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Sadly, I think it happens everywhere. But the more we are all informed, I think the better chance we have to put a stop to it!
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Thank you for doing this, Heather. The painting is just beautiful. It speaks of truth, hope and light — just what we all need!
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Such a wonderful painting for a very worthy cause. It is indeed sad to think that something that abhorrent is happening here in our own country. Thanks for making us aware of OATH.
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