Eleisha Ryan never dreamed her artworks would raise more than $1000 for charity, Soldier On.
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The 20-year-old has always been a keen artist and used her skill to produce six Anzac themed works.
In the past few weeks she has auctioned off the works and raised $1015 for the charity which supports serving and ex-serving men and women.
“In the last 12 to 18 months my art has become more of a job than a hobby,” she said.
“I’ve done a few portraits for people.
“I have always wanted to do some paintings to commemorate the Anzacs but never had the time.
“This year I got the chance.”
She said it didn’t feel right sell the works for herself.
“I didn’t want to profit from the works,” she said.
“It wouldn’t be right.
“I have a couple of friends in the army and they told me about Soldier On and what it does.
“So I decided to donate the funds raised to them. It is such a great organisation which is supporting current and ex-personnel.”
Eleisha started auctioning the items on Facebook and later took them into her work, Terry White Chemist at Stockland Nowra, where she is a dispenser.
The Nowra RSL Sub-Branch was also in the shopping complex selling commemorative Anzac merchandise and displayed the art works, sparking more interest.
Her six works included a stunning pencil and chalk pastel of a nurse entitled “The Ward”; a watercolour of a soldier’s face with the rising suns reflecting in his eyes; two red poppy watercolours and two black and white felt tip pen poppy drawings.
“I was aiming for $400, to get more than $1000 was amazing,” she said.
“I’m really proud of the works. They mean more to me than the portraits of pets and such I’ve been doing.”