Upcycling a Canvas to Create Opportunities with Artist Clara Woods

To create opportunity is about understanding that the simplest action can make a difference—for yourself, for others, even for a local community. It’s about working together to create a better tomorrow through upcycling, sustainability, and creativity. And it’s about sharing the stories of those who live the values of Goodwill, truly making an impact for their communities every day.

Meet our ShopGoodwill.com ambassador, Clara Woods. She is a painter, an artist, and a model who experienced a perinatal stroke. As a result, she cannot read, write, or speak. However, she does understand Portuguese, Italian, and English.

In 2018, with the support of her family, Clara was inspired by Frida Kahlo, her muse, to make her first exhibition. This exhibition took place in Florence, Italy, where Clara was born. Since then, Clara has made around 30 exhibitions on three continents, and has sold more than 700 paintings internationally.

Clara truly embodies what it means to create opportunity, and through her partnership with ShopGoodwill.com, she has continued to do so. Clara received a large canvas from the Goodwill of Orange County warehouse to upcycle and create a new original piece of art. She graciously took the canvas home and got to work. Once she finished, she brought it back to ShopGoodwill.com as a donation to the site, making a positive impact on the environment and the local community. The staff at the warehouse were in awe of the generous donation and transformation of the canvas. Clara has a wonderful talent, and is the perfect example of what creating opportunity is all about.

The auction ran for 10 days and sold to an artist named Medana Gabbard at The Vermont Folk Art Gallery where it now is proudly displayed on the wall.

“Clara Woods artwork has a beautiful balance of bright colors and bold strokes, she possesses a wonderful ability to communicate love through visual storytelling”, says Medana. “I am so grateful to have acquired one of Clara’s original paintings on the auction site ShopGoodwill.com. Let’s all join Clara as she communicates her desire for inclusivity, individuality and diversity for all!”