march of pigs

The first of hundreds arrived this week. These are the blank banks that will be hand-painted with the camouflage stripes and sent off to awaiting families. The proceeds from necklace sales of Woodstock the Pig, ‘the bio’, go right back to VFU so they can fund this project.

evolution of a pig

Woodstock the Pig, a hand-painted camouflage piggy bank, began traveling with Veterans’ Families United to various Yellow Ribbon Events. The piggy bank received so much attention, VFU partnered with Red Fawkes to develop the concept further. A licensed therapist drafted an ‘Idea Booklet’ that now accompanies each bank when it’s delivered, free of charge, to the awaiting families. This guide showcases how the bank transitions into a therapy tool to aid service members, their families and their children.

Since Woodstock the Pig was such a hit with families, Red Fawkes decided to create something more mainstream for the masses. Red Fawkes enlisted the talents of a local Tulsa artist to reinvent the pig in a charm medium. Proceeds from the sale of “the bio” continue to support the efforts of VFU and their endeavor to provide holistic healing to veterans their families.

piggy banks

I want to say that it was an incredible eureka moment that took the doodle to the bank, but it wasn’t. There are really only two things that come to mind when I see a pig: Charlotte's Web and bubble-gum-pink piggy banks. Engulfed with the newest craft techniques at the local art supply store, I happened across some white mini piggy banks. I called on some artist friends, talked out the concept and bought out the supply of banks at the store.

I transformed a room in my home into a studio. Started the coffee, called in some favors and broke out the paints. The end result was delightful! Their beauty outweighed their function. These little guys maybe held $3 in change - but that wasn’t the point. We had created something small and joyful and worth sharing. But how? How to connect a piggy bank with a veteran’s cause. Then I remembered an old quote from high school history class:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead.

It doesn’t matter how you create change as long as you pour light, love and luck into your creation. We made about 60 hand-painted gems and they sold out in a month. We were able to hand over a check to Veterans’ Families United and it felt good! We dubbed them Woodstock the Pig.

a doodled beginning

A group of extremely fantastic people had just launched Veterans’ Families United Foundation and I wanted to help. I probably spent a good week picking my brain on how I could contribute and...nothing. My mind was hitting a void. On a search for clarification - I grabbed a latte, filled up the gas tank, wandered the mall for sales and ate a slice of mall pizza. Ate a second slice. My brain was clouding over from all the caffeine and mozzarella so I decided to call it quits. I headed home.

Upon leashing up the chihuahua, I noticed my sketch book. After the walk, I opened that sucker and began to doodle with my prisma markers. The cutest red doodle was born. Now what to do with him...