“Painting My Way through Cancer”
“Painting My Way through Cancer” by artist Susan Trueblood Stuart, a retrospective on her journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and reconstruction surgeries will be exhibited at the Oregon Coast Community College Central County Campus during the month of October 2010. The series features fifteen captivating paintings. They will hang in the corridor outside the nursing classrooms and skills laboratories. About the paintings Susan writes:
The series begins with one called “Hearing the ‘C’ Word.” I remember the utter shock that overwhelmed me upon hearing the word cancer. That could not be! I was too stunned to speak at first and then came a torrent of tears and there were no arms to fall into for I had come alone. I had no warning signs or ill health ever and there was no history of cancer in my family.
Finding myself alone in my studio following surgery to remove half of my upper jaw due to cancer, I examined my mouth in a mirror. I felt mutilated! I would never be the same again, at least physically. I mourned for my missing jaw and perfect teeth. I wanted back my old life with its feeling of carefreeness----a life without pain, drugs and doctor visits. I have always been healthy. This should not have happened to me! I sobbed and I screamed and I picked up my bushes and began to paint. The tears fell and mixed with the paints. I did not need a mirror. I painted what I was feeling. All the time I wondered if this was not some bizarre dream that I might wake from to be once again that vibrant free self that I remember. The result was the painting “Mutilation”
Another painting that came to me soon after surgery was all the family in the hospital reaching out to say goodnight. Again the tears mixed with the paint.
Later came paintings dealing with the damaging effects of the radiation that had killed the cancer but at the same time destroyed tissues and caused much burning. Other paintings are full of hope and determination to get through this rough period.
The beauty of my ability to paint is that when I am painting, I have no pain! I am totally in that moment. There is no past or future, only the now. Painting is where I go to find myself.
“Painting my way through Cancer”opens September 27, 2010 and runs through October 29, 2010 at the OCCC Central Campus. A reception for the artist will be held on October 5, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the OCCC Central County Campus. The campus is located at 400 SE College Way in Newport, Oregon.
This exhibit is supported by a generous donation from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund. The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians have made many significant donations to the Nursing Program over the past five years. The College staff and students appreciate their support of this poignant and thought-provoking exhibit.
For additional information contact:
Jane Hodgkins, Director of Career and Technical Education
OregonCoastCommunity College
400 SE College Way
Newport, OR97365
541-867-8524
Selected Images from “Painting My Way through Cancer”
Mutilation Pain Radiation Effects
Behind the Mask Why Me Guardian
Waiting for Results Images of Tomography Still wild after all those Surgeries