I painted this mixed media piece to remind myself that although I see most everything in black-and-white, there’s always a little pop of color somewhere, and if we look hard enough, we’ll find it.

My name is Gail Durant, and I experienced cancer through my husband Bob, in the care I provided for him. He passed in 2013 with glioblastoma multiforme 4. We were extremely close and did everything together. He loved flowers and walks with nature. I just recently started painting when COVID-19 hit. I'll never forget in the infusion room where my husband was being treated for his cancer that there were flowers outside the window and we used to sit and watch the hummingbirds come by. The window with flowers inspired me to paint this and I was pleasantly surprised how well it came out for my third painting. I also incorporated yellow roses as my mom died of lung cancer and yellow roses were her favorite flower. I did all the flowers with a Q-tip and toothpick.

This artwork was originally submitted for the CURE® 2021 Healing Through Hues Calendar Contest.

Window Flowers

Decorative boxes are a wonderful way to store keepsakes, to surprise a loved one with a hidden treasure or to decorate a shelf or mantel.  
 
The box I've made here was used to enclose various messages that I composed for my daughter so that she could read a different message for inspiration, courage or affirmation now and when I am no longer here to say these things to her in person. With stage 4 lung cancer, I know my time is limited. Making this box was the perfect way to focus on the things I felt were important for her to hear from me.
 
Materials:
 
Book board
Decorative papers
Wet glue
Clear tape
A beaded button and Chinese Penny to facilitate opening and closing the box
Matt knife
Bone folder
Ruler

Self Portrait

By Bonnie Annis

January 14th, 2022

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