My artwork is an oil painting on canvas. It depicts sunrise at the edge of the water. I have been an amateur painter since childhood. I am also a five and a half year survivor of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (stage 3b), which recently recurred. As a cancer survivor, I appreciate more than ever each and every day. This is one of a series of sunrise/seascape paintings in which I try to express the joy, beauty and appreciation of each day of life.

This is a photo of my mom, Eva Grayzel (evagrayzel.com). She is a survivor of stage 4 oral cancer. She travels the world sharing her story and saving lives. When she can, she plans a side trip for inspiration. I took the photo (@jermcohen) in Monument Valley, Utah. 
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Jumping For Joy

Rooted is a collage. I used acrylics for the background, along with a polymer face and composite elements. 
 
Making visual art, as well as writing poetry and essays, have been central to my healing journey. Both forms of expression enable me to express my emotions in a variety of ways. I have used poetry to document significant aspects of my cancer journey. Though most of my artwork is not focused on cancer, I find the process of making visual art to be healing. I often work with a group of women who are non-judgmental and provide support for each other. While some of my creative expression was done at Gilda&rsquo;s Club in the Capital Region of New York, I have found my own group for writing and making visual art. There is something healing in being with a caring group of women who aren&rsquo;t worrying about the final product. We consider being creative a healing art and a spiritual practice. 
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I have Waldenstrom&rsquo;s macroglobulinemia and amyloidosis, both of which are incurable. I have been though years of treatment and am very fortunate to be in a durable partial remission. I took early retirement from practicing law in large part because of my health challenges. Crucial to the healing qualities of my visual expression is not having objectives, other than self-expression and relaxation. 
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Another Day

By FRANK NOLL

February 2nd, 2020

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