#artististlivingwithcancer

Love Letter to Life 12.06.2024 Body Alarm

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I have a familiar rash on my face, small red bumps near my eyes, nose and cheeks. In 2018, this was the first indication that something was off in my body. The bumps were biopsied: no cancer. The dermatologist diagnosed, air-borne allergies. I hope this is the reason now. I have a PetScan on Wednesday and anyone who has cancer knows the anxiety of scans, blood tests, reports, and treatment. Any change in the body causes my alarm system to go off. I am breathing deep through the anxiety and into the divine energy of the moment. Today, go to campus studio, paint and be with community. Movement is Life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic Paint in Sketchbook

Love Letter to Life 12.04 2024 Final Critique

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Today my Major Projects class will have a final critique with Shane Tolbert, teacher, and Jordan Eddy, writer and curator. I look forward to seeing my classmates artwork and hearing everyone’s comments. I have received many gifts being at Santa Fe Community College: uninterrupted studio time to explore new work, feedback from a variety of guests, students, and teachers, a wonderful community of people engaged in creative pursuits. I look forward to working in my campus studio and taking classes through May 2025.
yOUrs Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Collage on Paper 30″ x 22″ 11.14.2024

Love Letter to Life 12.02.204 Sustenance

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, Sustenance: a. means of support, maintenance, subsistence; b. food, provisions, nourishment; c. something that gives support, endurance, strength. I love the dictionary. Sustaining my body, mind, and spirit is built on healthy thoughts, words, and actions. It includes all that feeds me. Today, the fridge gets cleaned out of “holiday” leftovers and will be filled with easy to fix nutritious food. The campus studio will be prepared for a mid-week critique as I finish up work then prepare art to be moved home. This is all sustained by an incredible Life Force, a gift from my Higher Power, living in and through me, and connecting to community. Thank You.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

SFCC Campus Studio 11.25.2024

Love Letter to Life 11.30.24 Dr Seuss Is Here

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I love Dr Seuss books and love these ceramics. They delight me with their shapes, lines, and color. New addition to my happy home. My best art “finds” are from local artists. I am grateful to live amongst a large community of creatives who inspire me. My life is enriched by their presence. Thank you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Love Letter to Life 11.26.2024 Rosie

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, When the paint serves up pastels, my art critic shakes her head and sneers, “Really?” Why such a reaction? I spoke back to the inner critic, “This is how my spirit moves me.” Let my joy and peace be felt amidst the grief of loss, the turmoil of world events, the upside-down political climate, the challenge of cancer. Let my heart feel my deceased mother tapping me on my shoulder and hear her whisper, “I love this painting”. I will bring this painting home, hang it, and call it, Rosie. Missing you, Mom, during this season.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Collage Painting 30″x22″ 11.21.2024

Love Letter to Life 11.24.2024 Lean Into Love

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, We are entering the season of holidays. I enjoy this time of year, the gatherings, festivities, displays of lights and big bouncing Santas and decorations beginning to show up everywhere. These are outward signs of people sharing their gratitude, joy, and hope. I am conscious that we bear the challenges of living. I am grateful that when we come together in community, we lighten the weight of our individual burdens. Spirit connection leads to love and love is greater than darkness. Lean into the light of love with me today.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

30″x22″ Painting and Collage 11.18.2024

Love Letter to Life 11.21 .2024 I Wonder

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I can’t help but wonder what the heck is going on inside of me, not every minute, but a daily inquiry. What is the cancer up to? Is it gone? Are my healthy cells multiplying faster than cancer cells and able to fight lymphoma? I have a three month reprieve from the “heavy metals” while taking something with no side effects. I get a Petscan on 12.11.24. We will see then what the report shows. I am grateful to feel well and have vitality.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and Collage on Paper 33″x22″

Love Letter to Life11.20.2024 Open Hand

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I feel the powerful energy of Pluto transitioning into Aquarius. It brings in a new paradigm of personal empowerment and collective progress. I’m not an astrology devotee but believe the information on how the planets affect us. Today I need to choose a couple of my paintings for group exhibit at Santa Fe Community College. Thank You Cameron Kit, filmmaker, for this photo. I have an open hand to new experiences happening and coming into my life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Screenshot

Love Letter to Life 11.15.2024 Start

| Pamela Markoya

Dear Life, I told both of my art teachers, “I am blocked. The events of past few months and unknowns about my health/cancer have me jammed up.” They both said, “Put a mark on the blank paper and get started.” Being a dutiful student, I did start and stroke after stroke flowed from brush to the 30″x22″ paper. I put blue tape to break up surface then collaged pieces of painted paper over it. Finally, a breakthrough. The lesson of this story: Just take a step, an action, a mark on the blank paper or canvas, in life. How many times have I repeated this lesson? An untold number of times. Trust the process.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Acrylic and collage on paper 30″x22″ 11.13.2024