Chelsey Taylor was always above average in height for her age. She was always athletic and had a certain grace on the softball field. Her best friend said she reminded him of a giraffe. Thus began her love of the tall and steady animals. Chelsey was diagnosed with AML (leukemia) the summer before her senior year of high school at the age of 17. Through her battle she remained strong, poised and even graceful. Her treatment though became too much for even her strong body. After a valiant fight, Chelsey passed away before she could graduate with her friends that year.

I am her mother, Debbie Lovell, and I paint giraffes in her honor as a loving reminder of Chelsey and also to raise awareness for childhood cancer. She never wanted me to shave my head and even said that I'd look ugly bald, lol. So this is my way to give back. Every painting is signed with Chelsey’s name with a gold ribbon for the “L” and 2012, the year she was taken. I will have painting up for auction all the way through until the big shave and also the day of. I hope that you like them and would consider bidding on one that would look lovely in your home. And to bring a little bit of Chelsey's spirit with it.

See some examples of my paintings in the gallery below of the giraffe paintings.