The first Light League event was hosted by Drew Olanoff to benefit Alex's Lemonade, a foundation committed to finding cures for childhood cancer. I painted a Twitter bird in orange (Drew's favorite color) and then put donators' Twitter handles onto the canvas in a graffiti art style.

We raised over a grand in donations. Our goal was $999 (Drew loves the number 9) and we surpassed that!! The support of our friends and the community was astounding! We had approx 300 viewers of the live webcast, with people sharing pictures and comments on Twitter and Facebook.

I want to thankyou all for your support, suggestions, ideas and help getting the word out there! We hope to share more unknown or small foundations to the world, with the use of art and the web.  

5 LIVE ART EVENT TIPS FOR ARTISTS:

I learned a few things about creating a community sponsored piece:

#1. Bring a big sharpie! I realized painting names was a bit more difficult and time-consuming, plus limiting in creative ways. I know now I can add names in there differently each time and do more with the names.

#2. Take breaks! We need a breather when a piece this large takes approximately 3 hours and I stand the whole time! And eat food! ha.

#3. Listen to suggestions and be open to creative ideas from the community. I love that I can get input from you guys on how the piece should go or what to add. It makes it something more personal. You are a part of the painting. You are a part of the art. 

#4. Remember to make a list and check it twice. When you're heading to a fundraiser location, you may forget your canvas, like I DID. 

#5. Prepare your canvas ahead of time. Have some layers or base color on there already so we aren't dealing with the messy stuff and we can get onto the piece in it's detail.

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I'm very excited about this week! I will be painting him a custom artwork at 7pm pst from Drew Olanoff's new place.

We will be broadcasting LIVE on http://www.Ustream.tv/channel/natashawescoat so you can be a part of the creation of the piece!

HOW TO BE PART OF THE ART:

1. Log into the Ustream channel to be part of chat.

2. Donate any amount ($10, $20, $40, etc.) at the link which will be posted live.

3. Email your receipt of donation from site to lightleague(at)gmail(dot)com along with what you'd like written into the painting (LIVE) such as Twitter name, names, or brand company. We will watch the emails for your donations and you will be part of the timeless painting created before your eyes!

Be a part of something good and be part of a creation!!

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Light League was created through furious discussion one night between Natasha Wescoat and Drew Olanoff regarding painting something live on the web for Drew's new place. They would then offer viewers of the live webcast the chance to participate and donate to a charity to be a part of that painting in some way (their Twitter handles painted on the piece, etc).

Natasha had previously worked on a project (Create Live) as well as Tech/Web charity events (SM4SC, Twestival, etc) with her art. Drew, a cancer survivor and major geek as well, became passionate about helping others in need, through using technology and the web.

Then it dawned on them. Put two and two together: Paint art for the host of the party. Allow the community to participate in social good. Make it LIVE.

HOW IT WORKS:

- Host commissions the artist, Natasha for a painting of anything they want. Costs of materials and work will be discussed between the artist and host.

- Host picks their charity of choice to be sponsored for event.

- A date is set for painting session and webcast in host's offices/home. Event is posted across the web for community.

- The artist's creation is broadcasted LIVE on the web for the viewers to watch and participate.

- The community donates any amount to have their name (twitter handle, etc) put into the painting.

- Donations of the community go towards the charity of choice.

So, we're planning our first Light League webcast next week. Stay tuned for the deets and follow Drew blog tonight for a post about Light League and what is in store.

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