It is often said that artists portray on paper visions inspired from spiritual origins. The same is often said of athletes, orators, public speakers and many other types of creative persons. The word spiritual here is used not in a religious sense, but to describe that process that comes when you are very quiet within yourself, and your surroundings are compatible with that small inner voice that speaks in your mind. Some are capable of portraying that intuition into sporting events, inspirational speaking, working with non-profits (public welfare needs), writing books and music, and many other creative outlets. Somtimes a person's greatness as a doctor or minister is attributed to that spiritual flash of intuition.

Others of us paint. Our inspiration comes from within, and is usually done for our own healing...and then we are surprised that the visual portrayal moves others. When asked to share our art in a form that others can enjoy, it requires a personal decision to exploit the joy or pain that triggered the painting.

Because of the fire that took our daughter Sarah's life and destroyed our home on Christmas morning, 2001, a small group of creative people came together to paint, stood together to heal, and now desire to share our journey with others. In time, we hope to celebrate her life with the Sarah Foundation, a non-profit whose mission will be to revanmp, redesign and refocus fire safety and prevention in the home, and share all the experiences of having to deal with modern day insurance claims. This site is the first step toward this goal to help others avoid what happened to us.

In the meantime, Inspired Original continues to support the Benton County Sunshine School by sharing a portion of the profits from these sales. Volunteering at the BCSS had a massive impact on Sarah's life. As a 12-year-old she quickly learned that 'there are worse things than a bad hair day' and always told funny anecdotes about the children...without being aware of their specific 'challenges'. Being at the school was (in her words) 'the best thing ever'. Since 1958, BCSS has been serving people in NWA who have developmental disabilities or delays, or who are 'at risk', to move toward normal lifestyles characterized by independence, and self-acceptance.

We know the donations given in her memory will make a lasting difference in many lives.