A farmer’s daughter from Mallala has been using her skill with a paintbrush to help fundraise for a worthy cause.
Body paint artist Wendy Fantasia, formerly of Mallala and residing in Kew, Vic, has spent the first half of the year painting 12 breast cancer survivors to produce a stunning calendar.
In addition to helping raise much-needed funds, the calendar aims to increase awareness of breast cancer in women under 40. The younger age bracket is less common and less readily diagnosed.
Ms Fantasia herself has witnessed breast cancer in her own family – her mum Judith, who still resides at the family farm – is a survivor after being diagnosed at 60.
Ms Fantasia said a body paint calendar had been on her “painting bucket list” for some time.
“I was thrilled to be involved with the calendar,” she said. “It is so exuberant and colourful, which is exactly what we wanted.”
The calendar empowers each of the young women involved, sharing their individual stories, breast care facts and tips, and links to details about their personal battle in the hope of making younger women more aware.
With handfuls of ideas and sketches for each woman, Ms Fantasia said she focused on the individual’s differences and beauty, and sought to portray them as fighters.
“Once locations, models, photographers were finalised for each shoot day, rough designs were put together,” she said. “Final colour sketches were completed for each model the night before their shoots so imagery and ideas were fresh for each person.”
Ms Fantasia said being involved with the calendar had been the “most amazing experience”.
“I am beyond humbled, it has taught me so much,” she said.
Ms Fantasia said each painting session took almost an entire day, and they would photograph for two hours at the end of the day.
“They were very intense days,” she said. “But the result is just incredible.”
Professional photographers in each of the locations, which included the Blue Mountains, Parliament House, Sydney Harbour, Flinders Street Station, and many other iconic locations, volunteered their time for the project.
Rachelle Panitz, who organised the calendar, and said they hoped to expand into SA next year.
“We are putting money behind research to solve this riddle and get answers,” she said.
The 2017 ‘So Brave’ calendar’s proceeds will be going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which is the only national body that supports breast cancer research.
In 2016, an estimated 16,084 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, while 60,000 will live with it daily.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation reports one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, and on average, eight women die from breast cancer daily in Australia.
It is estimated about 800 women under 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer each year.
Next month will mark the Pink Ribbon Breakfast by the NBCF, and by hosting one, Australians will be helping to continue to fund world-class research and move closer to achieving their goal of zero deaths from breast cancer by 2030.
NBCF chief executive officer Sarah Hosking said the commitment makes a huge difference.
“By hosting a breakfast for the NBCF, you are ensuring that we can continue to fund the very best cancer research in Australia,” she said.
- Details: Register at pinkribbonbreakfast.org.au
- Details: Order at sobrave.com.au, and buy two or more to receive free postage within Australia.