Portraits for a Cause
Nicole Troup working in her Greencastle studio on a portrait of actress Madeline Carroll.
A local artist collaborates with celebrities to bring awareness to the work they do for humanitarian organizations
By Jennifer Mellace
Author and humanitarian Sam Childers (aka the Machine Gun Preacher), Thaddeus Bullard (WWE Titus O’Neil), and other celebrities are part of local portrait artist Nicole Troup’s mission to bring awareness to her Portraits for a Cause project. Her most recent painting of actress Gianna Simone is bringing awareness to foster care systems just in time for Foster Care Awareness month—recognized each May.
While her artwork is part of private collections across the United States, Canada, and Great Britain, Troup’s home in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, is where she creates her portraits, which are mostly done in oils and acrylics. Troup started painting at a young age, taking private art lessons through her teens. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2008 and then began her career as a portrait artist and art instructor.
Portraits for a Cause began in 2016 when Troup collaborated with Childers to raise awareness for his organization Angels of East Africa (AOEA), a group that rescues children in Africa and builds orphanages to support those orphaned by war, famine, and more. Once a drug-dealing biker, Childers traveled to East Africa where he found God and turned his efforts to saving as many kids as he could. His life was made into a Hollywood film, “Machine Gun Preacher,” staring Gerard Butler, Michael Shannon, and Madeline Carroll.
A portrait of Gianna Simone painted by Greencastle artist Nicole Troup.
Moved by his story, Troup painted Childers and then made prints, which are autographed by him and sold to raise money for AOEA. “I was so inspired by stories of people overcoming faith obstacles and I realized that I wanted to use my gifts as an artist to share their stories so that they might help others,” says Troup.
Her most recent collaboration with Simone raises money for the Gianna Simone Foundation—an organization that provides rescue and support to abused and neglected children and animals. “Simone, who was once in the foster-care system, now works to bring light on abused kids and animals, bringing them together to heal,” says Troup.
The portrait of Simone shows her in a gold and green gown, her hair is pulled back and she has a beautiful red flower tucked into her bun. The actual painting incorporates gold and silver leaf, which gives it a beautiful shimmer.
While most of us might imagine an artist painting a portrait of someone in real time, Troup works from still photos of her subjects and sometimes incorporates various objects that reflect their cause into the painting.
“The background of Sam’s portrait shows a machine gun, his Bible, and children running from danger,” she says. “And Mary Mallock is wearing an earring with a symbol that is the logo for her organization—Stand for Education.”
Mallock, who fled South Sudan with her mother and siblings during the war, is now a successful model, actress, and founder of her non-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls and providing access to education for underprivileged children in Africa.
“Symbolism may be visible or hidden within photo,” says Troup. “Sometimes collaborators will write directly on the painting, leaving an actual handwritten message.” Such is the case in the portrait of WWE wrestler O’Neil who raises money for Focus on the Family—a ministry dedicated to helping families thrive.
Troup’s next subject is yet to be named, but her project will continue. Until then, all Portraits for a Cause paintings and prints can be found on Troup’s website, including the most recently autographed Simone print (released on May 15). To learn more, visit www.nicoletroupmasterpiece.com.