Love Letter to Life 02.27.2024 Shadow/Light

Dear Life, I woke yesterday feeling like a truck had hit me. But my class had a field trip so I lovingly urged my Body to go. The Vladem Contemporary Art museum exhibit, Shadow/Light, is excellent. I then went to the studio and worked on my series of drawings and paintings. I saw the influence of the exhibit appear in the painting. A tiny paintbrush delighted my Spirit making “marks… cells, stars, snow, light.” How the energy of an artist’s body and work unfolds is a mystery. But showing up and being in the flow is imperative. Day 11 of Revlimid, oral chemo.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Graphite Drawing/Acrylic Painting on Paper 12″x9″

Dear Life, On Day Nine of oral chemo, a rumbling stomach kept me close to home for the morning. At 1:00pm I made my way to the studio. My new project of drawings and paintings calls up the energy I need to create, dancing with the physical demons and angels, the elements and the full moon. Grateful I went to my space where I rise above it all. Day Nine Revlimid drawing & Snow Moon painting on the studio wall with a found object.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Day Nine Revlimid Graphite Drawing 12″x9″ and Snow Moon Acrylic Painting 12″x9″

Dear Life, I felt challenged this week. An old “friend” Yackity, the negative voice within me, showed up in my studio fueled to tell me all that was wrong with being at school, having cancer, what terrible work I was doing and how great everyone else was in comparison. I took all my paintings off the walls and went home. I took a long walk and a day off. I returned to the studio yesterday. I told Yackity, “I hear you but don’t believe you. Thank you for sharing”. Then went to work. I am making 12″x9″ drawings and paintings titled Revlimid, day 1, day 2, etc. Also working large and using oil pastels. I woke excited today at 5:30am with the “snow” Full Moon ready to return to the studio. Quaking to go!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Oil Pastel on 12″x9″ Paper

Dear Life, My friend Virginia King took this selfie of us during a recent visit. I am grateful for the incredible people in my life: friends and family, the 12-Step fellowship, the SFCC students and staff, The Isolation Journals and online community, artists, neighbors, and all the people I meet in my day. Today, I will be with the Green Cleaning crew who are going to clear my apartment of “construction dust and dirt” and leave it very green clean. I left my apartment on January 12th, six weeks ago, after finding a leak causing mold. The move home will begin. Alchemy is happening of people, places, things!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

PRM & VK 02.18.2024

Dear Life, Showing up is 90% of success. Lift my head off the pillow as the sun rises, do my morning spiritual practices, drink coffee, journal, eat breakfast, take meds, shower, dress, and pack lunch. Drive to the community college looking at 360 degrees mountain ranges and big sky. Park Blue Angel, carry my stuff into the studio and show up. My body is adjusting to new routines and oral chemo. Getting in the flow of painting. I am grateful. My body is a miracle. I am showing up.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic on Paper 30″x22″

Love Letter to Life 02.18.2024 Lymphoma Cells

Dear Life, It’s very unlike me to use “stamping” as a painting method but here you have it. The empty applesauce container was on the palette sitting in red and blue paint. My hand reached for it and started “stamping”. After I finished, I googled Lymphoma Cells something as a rule I do not do. There they were, clusters of cells in bluish-red, floating in an aquamarine sea. My intuition painted what have been guests in my body for at least five years. Six months of scans look clear. Have the “guests” finally left? Day three of oral chemo meds to keep the “house” clean.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Tempera on Paper 36″x30″

Dear Life, My instructor challenged me to paint the trauma of cancer on a larger scale. He said my work in small books is beautiful, intimate, and illustrating the love letters. Can I size up to a large format and put my body into the experience of painting and cancer? Then describe what is happening in a love letter? This new process began Wednesday. I painted with red tempera lines, one over another, then went into it with color and acrylic. Three hours later I was surprised two white doves had appeared. It was Ash Wednesday. Today I begin a 14-day oral chemo med and go to the studio. Thank you Holy Spirits for helping me.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Tempera on Paper 24″x18″ 02.14.2024

Dear Life, The SFCC heating/cooling system needs some attention. Either the studio is heated hot or the the system is completely off and its cold. I prefer the heat especially on mornings when it’s 28 degrees. I spoke with the head of Arts Department and hope to arrive to a warm space today because not painting is too costly. I end up at art supply stores spending mucho bucks on materials in preparation. Time to paint! Bien Fait!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, A white on white still-life was setup to paint in warm and cool tones with four colors. The overhead lights washed out the deep shadows in the photograph but you can get the idea. I’m happy to play with paint, light, space, and line. My body is learning to navigate the energy requirements to be in a five-hour workshop. I’m grateful cancer treatments have not taken away my desire and passion for art-making.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Photograph                Painting