If art is anything it's the outward expression of inner emotion.

But for Phillip Ivey two suicides in a 48 hour period forever changed his emotional landscape.

Phillip Ivey-"My friend Dario Gildrie's wife committed suicide 2 days before my son did. and we were on the phone together and it wasn't 24 hours, and I knew and our foundation was born at that moment."

But Phillip, also known as Mr. P in the film industry, also decided it was best to keep working through his grief, so he signed on as key hair designer for "We Are Marshall". and that decision reverberates to this day through the Damon and Stella Foundation named for Mr. P's son and and his friend Dario's wife.

Phillip Ivey- "Marshall University survived a horrible tragedy and we at the foundation have survived a horrible tragedy and one of Marshall's own reached out to us to get the foundation going in a big way."

And that was the cue for stained glass artist and movie extra Carla Ball to enter the scene.

Carla Ball- "Something told me to go to the casting call. His stylist was doing my hair and asked what i do and I said I was a stained glass artist. She told me the story and I was immediately intrigued. So we talked a little and a little later he came in and I was hooked."

Now Carla is working with Mr. P on the Damon and Stella Foundation by co-ordinating the donation of artwork to be auctioned at the foundation gala in Knoxville, Tennessee next April. Those funds will help pay to air public service announcements featuring country singer Randy Travis and another actor.

Phillip Ivey-"We have a PSA scheduled with Billy Bob Thornton on January 30th and unfortunately last week Billy's family was touched with suicide so he's even more anxious to do it for us."

But this story is to get artists in our region in the giving mood. On this day, Mr. P drove in from his home in Knoxville to collect these pieces and will be back for more.

Carla Ball-"I saw this as an opportunity to further a cause because mental illness in this country does not get the attention it should have. And the artists in this area don't get the attention they should.

Both Damon and Stella were artists and the foundation's goal is to shine a light on a subject that's been too long in the shadows.

Phillip Ivey-"This foundation is built on art and artists. There's all sorts of artists. I've been an artist since 1971 and through the art program and art therapy we hope to bring peace and help people with bi-polar and mental health issues.
Carla Ball-"The movie coming opened up this because had it not been for the movie I would not have met Mr. P and I'd never be standing here right now."

Now Mr.P and Carla stand together as artists seeking answers through creative expression. Steve Eschleman WSAZ Newschannel 3 Boyd County.>