Dear Life, When the Hand of Fate enters and rearranges my life, can I have the grace and “serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”. A day at a time, I learn from the past, live with courage in the moment, and visualize with wisdom the future. I am having fun with collaging!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, My collages often reveal what is percolating beneath the surface of my skin. October brings around “anniversary” memories that include my second marriage on 10.9.99, and divorce 10.12.2009. In the rear-view mirror, I appreciate the losses and lessons. Writing has always been a healing practice. I wrote “The Shape-Making of an Autonomous Woman”, post-divorce. If interested, you can read it the “Writings” section on my website: pamelamarkoya.com
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage 10.9.2025
Dear Life, For my presentation, I hung eleven pieces of my art and read a Love Letter about “being exploded by an atomic bomb”. There was a visceral response from the group. Most people did not know I am living with cancer. I question whether to reveal this but then hear their comments: “Thank you for speaking about your personal experience. Your work impacts me knowing this.” I am a messenger through my creativity.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, I made transfers from xerox x-ray images onto canvas for my Inside-Out project. The work triggers deep feelings, how out-of-control my body felt while I had intense chemotherapy and Stem Cell Replacement. A doctor said, “We set off an atomic bomb in your body”. The project is near completion. Presentation is on Tuesday. I appreciate the periods of time that I feel healthy and can make art.
Yours Truly. Pamela Rose
Transfers of X-ray Images
Dear Life, Figurative Painting prompt: complete a project using yourself as the subject. I went inside-out to begin and will continue this week. I hung pieces together to see what there is and what needs to be added. My teacher and I laughed during a studio visit > “I always have to add a little blood and guts.” >”Yes, you do!” Consistency and innovation. I’ve been turned inside-out by chemo and stem cell replacement but my Creative Spirit remains, changed, but consistent.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Acrylic on Paper and Studio Wall 09.26.2025
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
Pamela Rose Markoya 