Faith, Hope and Healing

"Faith, Hope and Healing" 48x36 oil. I started this painting on my first day of radiation treatments for breast cancer and finished it the night before my very last treatment on April 21, 2022. This has been such a healing project during a difficult and challenging time personally. A few years ago my hubby and I were in Monterrey, California, and drove to the point on 17 Mile Drive called "The Restless Sea." It was a cold foggy day and the waves were rolling. The sun tried to break through a few times and in one magical moment the sun lit up the water on the horizon. I took several photos to remind me of how breathtaking it was...the roar of the waves, the dampness of the fog and the smell of the salty air. I've wanted to paint this scene ever since but after my diagnosis, I thought about how the scene really was a metaphor for my cancer journey.
When I first heard the words, "It's cancer," I felt as if I was swallowed by a deep thick fog. It took my breath away. So many questions without answers...an uncertain, rocky path ahead...and so much fear. Waves of emotion...a roller coaster...every stage of grief. Knowing the only path to healing is to face the fear and move forward, even if you feel like you're drowning at times. Oh the fear...
Turning to my faith and clinging to the hope that I could get through this. The vast ocean of uncertainty that you know you can't avoid going through to reach the light of hope and healing in the distance. Holding your breath waiting for the next set of results and the next step of the journey...the next wave to navigate. Fear of the unknown...oh that gut wrenching fear again...
And finally nearing the end of treatments and hearing the words, "we got it all...you're cancer free"...the fog begins to clear and the light begins to break through. And the healing begins...
#healingpowerofart #cancerjourney #breastcancerwarrior #oilpainting #gratitude

This piece will not be for sale - it's far too personal a painting to let it go so we will keep this in our family. However, giclee prints on canvas are now available in three different sizes. See the Limited Edition Prints collection here on my website.