Dear Life, Thankfully, my foot cooperated in posing for this collage. Let’s hope both feet will stay still long enough for me to paint them. Moving forward, step by step, on Inside Out Figurative project.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, My hands are so important in my life. Chemo affected my fingertips, dulling them a little. I am conscious of this when I try to pick up something small, thank you tweezers; or when I need to turn a cap on a tube of paint, thank you pliers. Otherwise my hands are nimble, capable, sensitive, incredible vehicles for creative practices and acts of kindness, touching a friend’s shoulder. Inside out, hand’s on what is mine to do, hand’s off what is not.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Acrylic on Newsprint 16″x12″ 09.22.2025
Dear Life, Given the prompt to paint a self-portrait, I decided to start from the inside-out. I made an ink drawing, moved to collage, and then painted my spine. Over the 5 years of cancer treatments and aging, my spine has developed a slight curve and I’ve shrunk an inch. What goes on in the inside eventually shows up on the outside. At 5’3″, I may be petite but it doesn’t diminish my big Life Force.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Ink Drawing, Collage and Painting “Spine” 9.21.2025
Dear Life, I am setting up my new studio. As the art supplies are moved in, I smile through waves of nervousness and remember, THIS is part of the CREATIVE process: Placing the table, chair and art supply cabinet in just the right spot, sitting and looking out the window onto the courtyard between studios, feeling the space and allowing my body to fully move in. Be here each day and the work will follow. The hand will go into motion. Lessons I have learned guide me.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, This little guy showed up on my daily walk. He found his space in the landscape and makes me smile. Today I am happy to move back into a studio space at the Santa Fe Community College. I am grateful to be feeling healthy, strong, and able to work. I am an artist living with cancer. Diagnosed in 2020 with Stage 4 Large-Cell Lymphoma, I am always aware of how vulnerable and precious life is. Thank you Life and for all the little things along my journey.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, The times we are in ask me to reflect, to remember, how does one make sense and meaning of world events? What is my place in community? How can I best serve? I am an artist and a recovering addict. I live into the answers through daily spiritual and creative practices, being as loving as I can. My “unknowing” mind picks up the pen and paintbrush to see and hear my Spirit speak, to comfort and give hope when my human body feels the heaviness of violence causing catastrophic harm to so many for so many years. Help me to live and make a better world.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, The collage pieces and watercolor float together on the page. Their image indicate the stages of the body healing: embryonic, restoration, rejuvenation. All require rest and relaxation along moderate movement. And patience. My mind tells me I am a rocket ship! But my Spirit knows I need to pray, God grant me the serenity to be patient.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage and Watercolor 09.09.2025
Dear Life, Three years ago, my dear friend and mentor, Virginia Dwan, passed into the next realm. I miss her, our conversations and travels, her presence. There wasn’t a thing I couldn’t share with her. Virginia understood and supported my work as an artist, always encouraging me, discussing ideas, concepts, and applications. She was a brilliant mind and generous benefactor in the world-at-large. My last words to her were, “Your Spirit will live on within me.” And it does.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage 09.2025
Dear Life, I gave time and space for solitude and self-care over the weekend. It is important to support all aspects of my Being: Body, Mind, Spirit < My Soul’s Journey. Reread 2024/25 of the Love Letters while preparing documents for editing. A friend is reading 2018/19 and said, ” there is so much good.” We all need support and encouragement. I know I do. Today I have Contemporary Figure Painting class and look forward to being amongst artists, creating and sharing our work.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage and Watercolor 08/2025
Pamela Rose Markoya 