Saturday, March 15, 2014

Transparency


Transparency 
watercolor 7.9x7.9 

I will soon be having a prophylactic /Mastectomy to ward off future breast cancer. This has come about because of some genetic testing. It turns out I have a rouge gene. My best joke about this is,  that it is like finding out your family is in the Mafia and there is a hit out on you. 
But jokes aside. I have had stage three breast cancer and don't want to go down that road again. So although I feel fine and am in no danger at this moment I have decided to have the surgery soon and then the recover will begin. 
I think my arms will be the most effected. This means I may have to be away from the easel and frankly that stings more than the other obvious loss. 
So that is why I have been painting myself so much. I feel the need to document who I am at this time and remember my spirit and my drive to be connected and to do the work I enjoy. 
I wanted to share this because otherwise there would be speculation and there is no need for fear or worry. I have to do this thing and I will be back as soon as I possibly can. I hope in the meantime to see a pile of pet friends waiting to be painted. 
Also I still have the month of March to enjoy.....so I will be painting for the next few weeks and then  I will be away for a few weeks  but hopefully not forgotten. 
I will be back...
As I always say...More later...

18 comments:

  1. You explained it so nicely. I wish you well and will be holding you in my thoughts.......

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    1. Thank you Helen. I am taking some paintings to the hospital with me. Not paintings exactly...but the note cards I have collected over the year. I think I slip then in a pocket undetected. I need to have them near me.

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  2. Wow Jo. So sorry to hear this.I wish you all the best and wish you a speedy recovery.

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    1. Thank You Sandy. I am hoping for a quick recovery.I want to "own " this experience and move on quickly.

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    2. I you can see it, you cam believe it! And I'm sure you can!!

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  3. You are a true soldier Jo. Thanks for sharing. You will be in my thoughts.

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    1. Thank you Robin, One of your cards will be with me.

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  4. I'm glad you shared this Jo so that we can all be there rooting for you in spirit. You are a strong woman painting up a storm to face the coming storm! I visualize you waving a flag & a camera at th

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    1. Aww.....that is so beautifully said. I hope for that too.

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  5. To finish my comment above ... I am imagining you at the Adamant 4th of July parade waving your flag and a camera at the tractors going by with all this behind you! (Google froze up when I was typing!)

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    1. I do hope to be fully integrated and owning the look of a woman who has been through a lot but can still keep going.

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  6. Best wishes for a swift recovery. I can't forget you: you are on my Favorites list!

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    1. I am so glad to hear that this experience makes me feel diminished. I need to stay strong, open and positive. I usually can do this until night time and then.....well...all bets are off.

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  7. Take care Jo, I won't forget you!

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  8. Looking Forward...

    to seeing what flows from
    your watercolor brush
    after your pro-active
    break; may your art mind's eye
    percolate with ideas
    during your studio
    away time, approaches
    that will flow onto your
    watercolor paper,
    hopefully soon, be well.

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    1. I just wrote this on a card that is going with me to the hospital. I will keep the card and the words next to my skin . I will feel the power of the image and the words and will find courage there. Heart to heart.

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