Jo Darby is an artist with a mission and an Asian Aid supporter.

Based in Newcastle, she has two young children and juggles her art with mothering, preaching, and teaching - but it is obvious that her passion for art is deep. Her work has been exhibited in Sydney, Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Canberra in artist-run, commercial and public galleries, and even in Parliament House. Collections across Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the UK feature her works.

She admits she used to think that being an artist was "very selfish" and "very unrealistic". "I couldn't really get my head around it. But sooner or later the creativity explodes and it just has to come out."

Jo gains inspiration from life and faith, and aims to add to the beauty she sees in life and her environment. "I believe that art is a way to record and explore life. Though art is a great place for people to raise questions and communicate conflict and controversy, important as that is, I'd rather add to the beauty. So I hope that all my work is uplifting."

Rockpool

The Darbys have a heart for the work of Asian Aid. Jo and her husband, Leighton, have been involved in Wallsend Adventist Church's 'Big Day In' fundraiser program for several years, and they sponsor a child in India. Jo also participated in a mission trip to India in 2006, visiting several Asian Aid projects.

It Runs It Flows

Jo is now combining two of her passions - art and social justice - and pledging some of her creativity to Asian Aid. She has chosen four of her pieces (pictured) to be made into postcards with all profits supporting Asian Aid's Women's Health Project in Nepal. The postcards are blank on the back, making them a versatile and beautiful way of sending a message.

"I really believe that raising awareness about these issues doesn't have to be accompanied by morbid and depressing images," says Jo. "We don't have to use devastating pictures of babies with swollen bellies whenever we talk about poverty, or the picture of a damaged and depressed teenage girl huddled in the corner when we talk about human trafficking. There's enough ugliness in the world. Let's fight ugliness with beauty! Beauty - beautiful things, beautiful words, beautiful cards - can be our weapon against the darkness. Isn't that what the gospel is? I want to put something good out there. Good art. Art for good."

Abundant

She chose the Nepal Women's Health Project, which funds healing surgery for women suffering with uterine prolapse, because of the far-reaching benefits of helping a woman. "Of course it's amazing to give a person back their dignity," says Jo, "but it's hugely practical as well. When a mother is healthy, her children are cared for and fed, and are free to go to school and get an education. Often one woman cares for so many that you aren't just giving life to one person, but to a dozen!"

It is estimated that up to 600, 000 women, or about 40% of the female population in Nepal, suffer from this debilitating condition. It is so common that women often believe it is a normal part of life. Many Nepalese women spent decades bedridden, never knowing a cure exists. A woman can be completely healed by a simple hysterectomy, requiring only ten days in hospital.

271 Austinville Rd

This project aims to raise awareness, help prevent and cure the incidences of uterine prolapse among the rural, poor women of Nepal, one of the few countries in the world where a woman's life expectancy is lower than a man's.

"This project is so simple - I can't believe that this life changing surgery only costs $300. That is so achievable," says Jo.

To buy a set of postcards, visit: www.joannadarby.com and click through to the online shop. Or you can place an order directly by emailing Jo at joanna@joannadarby.com, or by contacting Asian Aid. Postcards are sold in packs of four, envelopes included, for $10 a pack.