Eva Mendes says finger-painting with sick children has "enriched her life".
The Hollywood star often volunteers for charity The Art of Elysium, which invites celebrities to visit hospitalized kids and help them find a "creative escape" through the arts, and insists a "human connection" is more important than donating money.

She told the USA Today newspaper: "Joaquin Phoenix introduced me to this charity when we were working together on 'We Own the Night'. Spending time with these children has enriched my life in so many ways. It's not just about writing a cheque, it's about human connection.
"It's not about any kind of public recognition, it's really about the children, being there with them, reading to them, singing to them, or my favourite - finger-painting with them."