Clothing Women With Colours Of Hope – Froyle’s Story

Art and creative expression has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. But for the last 20 years, in between raising my four children, I have been painting and exhibiting as a visual artist. My art is intentional. I definitely have an agenda. I want to make people feel good. It’s not complicated, I want to release peace, joy, love, into people’s lives through art. There is a world full of heartbreak and I want my art to inspire hope through colour, texture and the Spirit from which I create.

Last year my cousin Evana went through the horrific ordeal of breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and all the treatment that aligns with this procedure. My mum, Helen, decided to head over to Perth, Western Australia, to help Evana’s husband and four children while Evana went through her treatment. Mum loved them, served them and helped take care of the household responsibilities. When it was time for her to come home, Evana wanted something to remember the experience she had spent with Aunty Helen and so she decided to buy one of my paintings called ‘Grace’.

The painting ‘Grace’ was inspired by Psalm 23 and it is an expression of the rest, provision and peace of God.

‘You have bedded me down in lush meadows; you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side, Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life’.

This is the intention and expression that Evana needed to experience at that moment and it made me think, what if I could take the painting off the canvas and literally wrap her in the art. You can’t hug a painting but what if I could find a way for all the colour, beauty and purpose of the artwork to physically surround her. The ‘Colours of Hope Collection’ was born.

We have literally taken my richly coloured paintings off the canvas and printed them onto fabric, which is then made into beautiful things, such as art cushions and scarves. Each cushion has been handmade, a beautiful original artwork and unique creation. They are created to inspire, with names like Hope, Grace, Freedom and Furious Love.

I have always believed that beauty is restorative, colour is healing and that art can be a vehicle to release hope. My mum Helen has partnered with me in this new pursuit. I create the art and she sews all of the art cushions and scarves. Together we pray over each item and believe in faith that it will represent hope and healing to whoever receives it.

We are now sending scarves on assignment. Beautiful, soft, and saturated in colour and hope, the scarf arrives anonymously in the post to be a blessing and a comfort to those who need it. We have sent scarves throughout Australia and as far away as South Africa.

We recently received this note from a young woman who had lost her husband as a result of suicide.

“I had asked the Lord for a sign, some days ago. I prayed for some kind of confirmation that I am not alone, as I have been feeling. I asked for some symbol of His presence, some form of proof that He can hear me that He is with me. Since my beloved husband’s death, I have endured a deep, hollow emptiness that is too hard to put in words. My faith was rocked and I was scared the Lord could not hear me. I was scared He had left my life, as my husband did.

My trips to my mailbox of late have been further depressing. I have had so much to take on in the wake of the recent tragedy. Suffice to say, I no longer look forward to checking the mail, until…
I grabbed the mail on my way to ballet class, I had arrived a little early for dance, so I thought I would open this curious package. With a heavy heart I tore it open.

I unravelled a magic scarf! The moment I put it in my hands, something wonderful and warm flooded my soul. Reading the cards that came with it, brought me genuine joy, it felt like the Lord Himself had sent me some mail. Suddenly, His presence was so palpable there, surrounding me, I instantly felt brave, protected, loved and for the first time in a while, I felt a great light shining down on me. With these sensations also came a feeling of calm assurance. Such peace came over me.

Every time I wear it, I feel beyond empowered. I wore it to my private ballet class and I felt so thoroughly blessed, my heart was bursting. Needless to say, I can feel God’s love for me within this scarf, it is the sign I asked for, the very confirmation I had been yearning for. The timing was incredible. When I touch it or wear it, I can feel the love of God’s people that helped the scarf come to me. I can almost hear the Lord smiling. I am unable to properly express the extent and depth of my gratitude”.

Amy

Whether the recipient is a cancer patient or someone grieving the loss of a loved one the scarves and cushions are a gentle reminder that they are not alone and that hope is real. It is only a small thing that we’re doing but it’s our thing. God is the one doing something in peoples lives, and mum and I are honoured to play our part.

To purchase from the ‘Colours of Hope Collection’ range or send a ‘Scarf on Assignment’ visit www.coloursofhope.com.au