This painting was completed in honor of my mother who passed away too young. She had liver disease that progressed into liver cancer. This moment depicts the evening when we announced our engagement to her. She is thoughtful in the painting, as she always was, but especially as she suspected she would not make the wedding. And that, unfortunately, was the case.

This piece was inspired by all ovarian cancer super warriors! She wears her crown in triumph. We are stronger than we know.....we will keep on keeping on. I did not start painting until I was the age of 59 and in my first remission from ovarian cancer. I enjoyed a wonderful career as a nurse-midwife before I was diagnosed in 2013. I have not been able to continue that profession. Learning about art and painting has actually saved me as I travel through this journey I am on with stage 4 ovarian cancer. I enjoy painting women and showing the sheer strength we carry, no matter what our challenge.

Warrior

According to Chinese astrology, I was born in the year of the tiger; I created this glass and tile mosaic as a personal Feng Shui piece. The color red is believed to have a protective function and other color choices were influenced by the date and time of my birth. As a two-time cancer survivor, I welcome the idea of protection! My tiger travels a path through the jungle, over stones large and small, and who knows what he will encounter along the way? Butterflies fly in the jumbled leaf canopy overhead. The upper corners are pieces of mirror, reflecting the changing conditions of the sky, and even a touch of greenery from my yard. Some of the pieces are iridescent and their colors change with the light. The frame was lovingly made by my husband. I had a lot of fun creating this piece, and I kind of like the idea of being a tiger!

Ima and Hana

By Kaitlyn Kosko

August 15th, 2019

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