TAMPA, FL. – The turn of the new year was bittersweet for Sarasota-based international artist, Alexis Fraser, aka Lipstick Lex. She lost her aunt on the same day that she learned of the passing of Betty White, both having been women who she always looked up to and respected for consistently embodying kindness, compassion, and a very evident fervor for life. Times like this have historically prompted Lex to pay tribute via her art, and this instance was no different.
Many people know that Betty White was a one-of-a-kind advocate for animals, once saying, “Animals are near and dear to my heart, and I’ve devoted my life to trying to improve their lives.”
Like Betty, Lex’s aunt never had children, but always held an incredibly warm and loving soft spot in her heart for animals, especially dogs. It was by her request that friends and family honor her after her passing by donating to animal rescue organizations in lieu of flowers and to continue to always celebrate life to the fullest.
Realizing that Betty’s 100th birthday was coming up on January 17, Lex knew she had a small window of time in which her art could do more than just satisfy her desire to pay homage, but to perhaps also uniquely connect with a cause near and dear to the hearts of both of these inspiring women – animal welfare.
“My art is made unconventionally as I create with lipstick and my kisses. I create with a feminine product to promote beauty and self-expression while adorning my works with sprinkled in kisses to promote love, affection, and adoration. Betty was an unconventional woman of her time and it felt fitting to honor that by creating her young sassy self with lipstick and my kisses!”
“Through this one-of-a-kind portrait of a woman who truly was “America’s Sweetheart, I hope to make beautiful Betty and my family’s beloved Aunt Claudia proud by raising money to support our local Humane Society, here in Tampa, Florida.”
“In 2021, HSTB saved over 13,000 animals. This work can only be done through the generous donations from the community,” says CEO of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Sherry Silk. “This wonderful collaboration with Lipstick Lex will help raise much-needed funds to help even more animals in 2022. It is also a great way to honor the life of Betty White and her love for animals.”
A sad time in this artist’s life brought her to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HTSB), and the fit was natural.
“I, just like every other red-blooded American, have always had a sweet spot in my heart for Betty White,” says Lex. “Her spunk, quick wit, wise words, and heart of gold were the perfect ingredients for what the world needs more of right now. I’m just so happy to connect with an organization making such a great impact in our region right now. Sometimes, it seems like we’re struggling day-to-day to find good news. It’s these types of partnerships that are just chock full of warm fuzzies that get me really excited.”
Lipstick Lex has created a custom 24×36 piece of artwork which will be auctioned off with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
The virtual auction goes live at noon on Monday, January 17, on what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday, and will run through noon on Monday, January 24. The auction is hosted at https://one.bidpal.net/bettywhite. Log in to either party’s Instagram to get in on the action at @lipsticklexofficial and @humanesocietytampabay.
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