Dear Life, My dear friend, Virginia, who is in hospice, sat up and said to me, “Be Brave….” Specific projects were discussed including the Love Letters. She had been reading, editing, and helping me move forward to publish. I find it challenging to write and make art with the depth of grief I feel but I am creating, I am being brave.
I enter the Chinese New Year of the Fire Horse in the sunrise of renewed intention and the sunset of my friend’s love.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage 02.09.2026
Dear Life, My creative spirit is currently diving deep into the energy of the moment, moving acrylic ink over Yupo Paper. I am absorbed in this process. It feels comforting during a time of personal grief and world chaos. A close friend is in the last stage of life and I have the privilege of being by her side. My studio is a safe harbor .
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Acrylic Ink on Yupo Paper 02.09.2026
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
Dear Life, Waking with the sun. Thinking of my older brother In St. Petersburg; no power or water but house not damaged. Many branches down. Transformer exploded last night. Hurricane Milton on a path of destruction. Climate change. Changing the planet, weather systems, and lives. My loving thoughts go out to all those touched by the “storms” of weather, cancer, and life. May they find peace and support in their time of need.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, I returned to campus studio and worked: 36″x24″ painting surged forth. The colors are washed out in photo by sunlight but you get the picture. I’ve been through a personal storm, the aftermath of emotions expressed through my work. I am in a reprieve from cancer treatment for 12 weeks to give my body time to rejuvenate. My thoughts go out to the communities and my family in the path of Hurricane Milton. May they be safe during the storm.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Acrylic on Paper 36″x24″ 10.07.2024
Dear Life, My body rhythm is on a new cycle: early to rise. The pre-dawn hours are quiet and peaceful. I meditate and journal. Enjoy looking words up in the dictionary. BRILLIANT: very bright, glittering, striking, distinctive, distinguished by unusual mental keenness or alertness – ex: a brilliant artist. I turned the bedroom light on at 5:00am. Hope my inner light shines throughout the day. Plus there is that thing called a nap. Love my new home. Love my life.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, 9/4 Major Projects class started. 9/11 I was told the lymphoma is back and new treatment needs to begin. Cancer outsmarted previous drugs. 9/12 I flew to CT. 9/14 my family celebrated my mother’s life. 9/15 this photo was taken while walking near sister’s house. 9/17 I flew back to Santa Fe and tested positive for Covid. 9/19 I moved. I have been resting and unpacking. Today I have bloodwork and discuss new treatment. September was quite a month. Life is really something. I am really something else. Still standing.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
PRM in Monroe, CT 09.15.2024
Dear Life, My house is in boxes. I move 9.19. This morning, I have a campus studio visit to discuss direction of my work. This afternoon, I go over Petscan report with oncologist. This evening, I pack for trip tomorrow to attend my mother’s funeral.
Imagine a world that has solutions to live peacefully, politics that work, interventions that cure disease, people extending love to one another, plenty for everyone, a planet supported by and for all beings. I imagine this as I begin this day. Peace, Love, and Beauty.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, I am preparing to move from my apartment of 3 years to Condo X. Packing has begun. Just finished 14 days oral chemo meds and 5 hour infusion. Monday is PetScan and Wednesday Oncology appointment to go over report. Thursday I leave for CT to attend my mother’s memorial service. I’ll return to Santa Fe on the 17th and move on the 19th. Friends and professionals are helping. I feel cared for and supported. A small dragonfly appears daily reminding me of grace as I move through these changes an hour at a time.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Pamela Rose Markoya 