A Season for Thankfulness and Giving
While it is tempting to go straight into a Christmas decorating frenzy right after Halloween, and I won’t blame you if you do (after all, the early onset of darkness just begs for Christmas lights!), I love that Thanksgiving actually invites us to pause, take stock of all our blessings, and share with people we care about. This Thanksgiving, from a place full of gratitude for a year that’s been filled with hope and inspiration, I would love to help raise a little bit of money for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Did you know that only $3.15 allows Star of Hope to feed two meals to members of Houston’s large unhoused population? I wonder how many people we can help if we do an art auction and donate 25% of proceeds to Star of Hope. This May y’all helped me raise $400 for the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research, now let’s please raise some money for those in our community without a home!
How to Bid
To participate in the auction, please consider the 12 works of art listed below. You may bid on them in the comments below this post by specifying which work you are bidding on. So, basically, just comment below with your chosen painting and your bid and I will keep updating the information. And if things get confusing, please email me at elenasandovici@gmail.com and I will sort things out.
Bidding concludes at 5pm on Sunday November 22nd.
Can you bid from out of town? Yes! While I love it when local collectors stop by to pick up their purchases in person, I gladly offer free shipping on most items. For this auction, all works on paper include free shipping, and shipping costs will be specified for works on canvas or wood.
Item #1: Moon Day
30×40 inches acrylic on cradled wood panel, with edges painted gold. Does not require framing.
This painting was created during the launch of the Artemis II mission in Spring 2025. It focuses on the experience of a woman on earth getting to watch a woman in space! You can read up more about it here.
The retail value of this painting is $2,500, however here’s your opportunity to acquire it for a steal!
Starting bid: $500
Minimum bid increment: $25
The painting is wired and ready to hang. Free pickup in Houston or Galveston. Free local install upon request. If you bid from out of town, please be aware that the painting can safely be shipped to you, but shipping will incur an extra $200 charge within the United States and a $500 charge internationally.
Item #2: Patriotic Horse Watercolor
9×12 inches, watercolor on paper, unframed.
This watercolor features O’Malley, my favorite Galveston carriage horse and was created in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Retail value: $120
Current bid: $50
Minimum bid increment: $10
Free pickup in Houston/Galveston, free shipping within the United States.
Item #3 Patriotic Horse Acrylic Painting
9×12 inches, acrylic on cradled wood panel, with gold painted edges. Does not require framing.
Like the watercolor above, this painting was inspired by O’Malley, the Galveston carriage horse I have befriended this year, and created in celebration of the 4th of July.
Retail value: $250
Starting bid: $100
Minimum bid increment: $10
This painting comes with local pickup or free shipping within the United States.
Item #4 Horses?
18×24 inches acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. Does not require framing.
This painting done in my signature Distressed Layers style was created in 2025. It combines abstract textures with horse shapes.
Retail Value: $900
Starting Bid: $220
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
Shipping $100 within the United States or free pickup
Item #5 Sitting
24×18 inches acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. Does not require framing.
Retail Value: $900
Starting Bid: $220
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
$100 shipping within the United States or free pickup
Item #6 Joyful
20×20 inches acrylic on cradled wood panel with 1 inch margins. The sides of this painting show the natural wood, a characteristic of my style back in 2018 when the painting was created.
This small but impactful abstract piece is very special as it dates back to 2018, the year I officially started my art business and committed to being a full time artist.
Retail Value: $900
Starting Bid: $220
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
$100 shipping within the United States or free pickup
Item #7 Indigo
18×24 inches acrylic on gallery stretched canvas. Does not require framing.
This abstract painting contining rich jewel tones and hints of gold and interference blue will elevate your space. It was created in 2023 and is featured in the 2025 edition of 50 Artists Houston.
Retail Value: $900
Minimum Bid: $220
Bid Increments: $10
$100 shipping within the United States or free pickup
Item #8 Reading at the Beach
6.5 x8 inches acrylic on paper
This small painting was created in 2020 during lockdown.
Retail Value: $100
Starting Bid: $30
Bid Increments: $10
Free shipping.
Item #9 Pretty Horse
8×10 inches watercolor on paper
Retail Value: $100
Starting Bid: $30
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
Free shipping.
Item #10 Black Tulip
12×12 inches watercolor on paper
Retail Value: $120
Starting Bid: $45
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
Free shipping.
Item #11 Bob Mackie Tribute
12×12 inches watercolor on paper painted in September 2026
Retail Value: $120
Starting Bid: $45
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
Free shipping.
Item #12 Lion Dancer
12×12 inches watercolor on paper
Painted in February 2026 at the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse
Retail Value: $120
Starting Bid: $45
Minimum Bid Increment: $10
Free shipping.
Happy bidding! Please place bids as comments below.
Patriotic Horse in watercolor: $50.00
Terry Hamm