During ArtPrize 2011, visitors were invited to respond to Braving the Wind—a collection of three watercolor paintings portraying a young woman’s battle with cancer. Nearly 20,000 visitors participated in the healing process. By hanging Hope Cards on a metal Healing Tree, they remembered their loved ones who have struggled with cancer.
People of all ages wanted to honor their loved ones. Some shed a few tears; others quietly reflected. Still others wanted to talk about their cancer stories. Yet all the effort was worthwhile when I overheard one visitor say, “Just the act of writing the message and hanging it on the tree made me feel like I was part of the healing process.”
Since ArtPrize 2011, the Braving the Wind collection is still touching cancer patients and their families. So I have decided to publish a book highlighting the series. The book includes photos and stories from ArtPrize 2011. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of the healing process.
“If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.”
Emily Dickinson
Oh Pamela,
Even the ocean you painted on the cover speaks to me of the feeling of being pulled away from the safety of the shore into things way beyond our control when cancer hits. Some of your earlier paintings have women and children looking at water, and now, the water is moving within to deeper groans and wounds. But your salt water is healing so many who look. Thank you for your wonderful sensitivity, putting expression to issues that need more than words to describe the soul of the issue.
Love and appreciation!
Sue S
Susan, this is actually one of my photographs. But I love the lighting and the movement. I choose this photo for the book cover because it is the perfect visual for the Braving the Wind series.