What it Takes to Build an Even Me Panel:

Number One: A professional carpenter. I have gotten away with building panels on my own in the past. I can handle the wood, the saw (with a chaperone), the drill, and all that goes into building a panel, really. However, handling it doesn't mean I can master it. Therefore, hiring a professional to build professional panels is a smart investment. Thank you, Brandy Holland. 
Number Two: 8' x 4' sheets of luaun.
Number Three: Primer.
Number Four: Spray Adhesive: heavy duty!
Number Five: 4" thick boards for the frame.
Number Six: Original African fabric. One for each panel. 
Number Seven: Time. Lots of it. 
And Number Eight, the most obvious: My generous backers! You have given me the resources to purchase these materials! I wouldn't be building anything if it weren't for you. Thank you, backers!
And, this isn't necessary, but it's fun to document the progress. So, thank you, Mom, for filming the event!
The frame wrapped with African fabric:

And the final white panel hanging on the wall. Soon to be painted on... 

And the short video for your entertainment:

Video Update!

A small glimpse of my trip back to Tanzania:

Even me, I am loved.

They say to keep your eye on the light at the end of the tunnel; thankfully, I have found that light. My overbooked autumn has come to an end: I have settled into a new town, I am getting the hang of my adult job, my sister is happily married, around forty Even Me rewards have been shipped (please let me know if you didn’t receive yours), and I have managed to travel to Tanzania, Kenya, and the British Virgin Islands in the last two weeks. Although somewhat jetlagged, I feel at rest, unhurried, and at ease with life. 

My Tanzanian reunion was worth every yawn, back pain, and sleepless hour. The embraces of twenty-four enthusiastic children knocked me to the ground, and after hugs and dirt stains, the children serenaded me with an original, “we ah hoppy to see Mees John-uh (we are happy to see Miss Jenna)” song that was evidently rehearsed more than once. With the short amount of time I had in Tanzania, I was able to film the kids sharing their ideas about ‘Even Me’, catch up with my friends, and see the physical and mental growth of my students. Most importantly, this trip reminded me of why I began Even Me in the first place. 

The orphanage in Tanzania is continually growing in numbers. Even  Me was conceptualized while twenty-four orphans were at the village. When I left the village in July, there were twenty-seven orphans; there are now thirty-one and the village will continue to expand. Part of me feels guilty about meeting new, wonderful children, and not including them into my project. On the other hand, adding an Even Me painting to every child that joins the village is overwhelming and unrealistic. Thus, I’ve decided that Even Me is a snapshot in time, a brief moment captured, a memoir of my year in Africa. 

Now that I’m back to normal life in Deland, Even Me is constantly whispering in my ear, “Paint, paint, paint!” I will start and finish building the twenty-four wooden panels while I’m in Pensacola for Christmas. And, until then, I will be composing a short film of my time in Tanzania (which will be out within the week). I’m looking forward to 2012 as it will be filled with oil paint, African fabric, and tangible pieces of art.

I realize my posts always end with a ‘thank you’ to my backers, but I am truly grateful for this opportunity to share the culture of Tanzania, the small voices of abandoned children, and a large chunk of my heart. Thank you.