"I'll use these photos for inspiration as I block out the painting," explained Campbell, who started work on the painting during the July 18 event. Dipping a large brush into pots of acrylic paint, the artist used sweeping strokes to form the lively images: a waitress balancing drinks on a tray, chatting party-goers, musicians tapping steel drums and smiling host Mark De Palma. The finished product will go on the auction block at the foundation's "World's Fair: Paris" benefit on Sept. 14 at the Orange County Fairgrounds.
"We wanted to honor our major donors because, with their help, we will continue to be able to provide services to AIDS patients," said Dan Gleason, executive director of the foundation. Due to the "soft economy and the diversion of local funds to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, we've been having difficulty raising revenue," Gleason said. "The effectiveness of new medications has more people living with AIDS and yet we are seeing increasing rates of infection. We have a bigger demand for services than ever before."
