Posts Tagged cancer survivor art

The last several months I have had some art shows pop up locally.  One was part of Contemporary Art Month- Corpus Christi (in March), and the other, a series which features a local artist each month.  As it happens, they are also at two of my favorite local sipping spots. One, for tea; the other, coffee.

Lotus Dreams Tea

This is my second year to join with a local business for Contemporary Art Month – Corpus Christi, sponsored in part by K Space Contemporary.  (Last year’s show celebrated the year after cancer.) I have been partnering with the tea divas at Lotus Dreams Tea for workshops and creative happenings since the first of the year, so, it made since to connect for this event.

The art show centers around two large pieces.  I worked on them simultaneously, along with a handful of the smaller works.  I floated around the studio anointing whichever canvas spoke loudest to me until it felt settled in the moment, then I would move to the next.

I worked on the two larger pieces as my extended family struggled with a very difficult loss….a little girl child.  I took my feelings to the canvases and moved them out with each brush stroke, each finger swipe, and mark. This is how I first came to know art after losing my mother over 20 years ago, a deep grief that lead eventually to a new understanding of life… and the life after life.

This time it was no different. I moved from the electric grief of Baby Emery’s illness and passing into the brilliant blessings that her life brought in its short but powerful existence. To see the work, you may never know it was seeded in difficulty, but that is the magic of art…. healing art.

Cafe Calypso

The coffee house show is at Cafe Calypso.  This is where hubby and I go most weekends.  We met our roommates and some of our closest tribe there. I was honored to be included in their artist line-up.  I wasn’t sure I had enough work but I pushed to finish a work of art that I began as part of a Masterpiece in a Day event led by Corpus Christi’s Marina Arts District.  VivaCC! The premise was that we were invited to go out into the Marina Arts District and create one piece of art that same day that captured the essence of the district.

I had such a blast.  When I was done, I felt a bit high from doing what I love in the midst of such a dynamic environment.  The sun, wind, water, and visitors were so energizing.  But with just 6 hours or so, I was not pleased with the work as a finished work of art.  I hung it in my living room and pulled it into the studio every month or so to work on it a bit.

When the Cafe Calypso art show came around, I spent a few nights working late into the early morning. Little by little it came together.  The night before it was to be hung, the dancer turned into the goddess Calypso, and finally, I fell in love with her.

On a Roll Art Shows

Over the course of the Summer there are a few more art shows I have the opportunity to join.  Every time I put my art out into the world, it is a stretch for me as an artist.  It feels risky in the beginning, but in the end it is exhilarating.  These upcoming art shows are collaborative in nature, and I love that.  Celebrating other artists while celebrating myself as a Creative…that is the nature of Creativity Tribe.

Invitation to Stretch

If you have found yourself here, you are most likely a Creative.  Maybe you paint, draw, write, dance, or just have a creative way about you.  Creativity is a mindset.  I would like to challenge you to share your creativity with the world.  Put yourself out there and dare to express something.  It doesn’t have to be deep.  It could be playful, sensual, or just spontaneous!  Let me know if you are planning on it and then drop back by when you do.  I want to celebrate you!

Invitation: Read about last year’s Contemporary Art Show
and how it was a reflection of my life after cancer.  Here’s to healing art!