An artist in Orange County is changing the way see the homeless - by painting their portraits.
Brian Peterson is the founder of Faces of Santa Ana. He says he started this nonprofit, "passion project" organization in order to help those in need around his city.
Through this organization, Peterson finds people in the homeless community of Santa Ana and befriends them. He then creates an artistic portrait of them, with the hopes that someone will purchase the art.
"We inspire others to see the beauty and uniqueness inside those who feel invisible. Our art carries the power to love, humanize, share stories, and financially support our neighbors without homes," their website states.
Peterson uses the money made from each art piece to try and help rehabilitate each and every homeless friend he meets.
"Faces of Santa Ana is a passion project where we set out to befriend and paint portraits of the homeless community in Santa Ana, CA," their website says. "We then sell the artwork and use proceeds to help in rehabilitating our newfound friends. The mission of Faces of Santa Ana is to locally help those in need in cities around the world while also inspiring and activating creatives and supporters of the movement. We believe that the creativity we’ve been given is meant for the outward pouring of love."
Check out their website, Faces of Santa Ana to see more of the organization's work and information on how to buy a portrait for yourself!