Hello Art Friends,
well it has been a long time between posts that’s for sure. Truth be told I have started this blog post a number of times and hit a wall.
Just how do I share such personal news in a way that doesn’t make light of the shadows and at the same time conveys the hope I feel? Ahh the dilemma is real!!
Middle of last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer. There…I wrote it!!
Spoiler Alert…I’m all good now and completely cancer free, thanks to our wonderful medical professionals and the care and prayers of my family and friends.
Life has a way of slowing us down and if we will listen, it helps us calibrate our priorities. I have always said that life inspires my artwork, the shadows created by the way light falls on an object is so often unbelievably beautiful yet many times we just walk right on by it, never even noticing this moment in time.
Cancer is a major shadow. Immediately the diagnosis brings a sense of dread and fear. The depth of internal tension is great and for some reason is difficult to identify and share. Those who have walked this path know this and now I do as well.
In my art I love the shadows! The challenge of creating the beauty found in them is one I look forward to and really relish! Yet in life the shadows are a different thing altogether. In my work I focus on the shadow to recreate them…examining everything in great depth.
In life however I found myself focussing instead on the light. Oh there was no denying there was a shadow, what with surgery and treatments to work through, denial was not an option.
However what got me through all of that was the support of my family and friends and the expertise of the medical team looking after me. Pure light for my rather formidable shadow. The greatest source of light for me is my God who through His word brought comfort and hope. He is always my Light in dark times and this was no exception.
It took time to recover and I still have days when the fatigue gets the better of me, but I am so very grateful to still be here and to be able to report that all is well with me. Not only cancer free but internally I feel hope for the future. Focussing on the Light really does bring a beautiful perspective to our dark times and the shadows are no longer something to be feared.
Just how will this affect my artwork? I’m not really sure it will change it much. However I have a fresh appreciation of the time I have left on this earth and am so grateful I get to do what I do! A renewed love for every bit of the process of creating a painting, of time spent in my studio and for everyone who shares this journey with me.
Thank you for taking time to read. My hope is that my unpolished rambling brings some light to your darks
God bless
Lorraine