Deanna Clucas
Deanna’s inspiration comes from a variety of places. She doesn’t paint exactly what she sees- rather she changes and invents things to make it more painterly, exciting and colorful be it realistic or abstract. She paints in both watercolor and acrylics, whichever suits her mood. Her pencil pre-drawings can pass as finished pieces.
Born in Cleveland, she has resided in Richfield for most of her life. She spent 32 years in manufacturing and while there earned a degree in Commercial Art from the University of Akron. Taking ongoing watercolor acrylic and drawing classes and workshops from the area’s finest artists keeps her work fresh. Deanna not only shows and sells her work in more than twenty juried shows a year, she also teaches Drawing for the Novice at Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Peninsula Art Academy and her home studio.
During all of this daily activity, imagine my surprise when I noticed spotting 35 years after menopause! The last thing Dr. Zebari told me after each gynecology appointment was “watch for spotting”. I had a history of minor problems, which were taken care of after each ultrasound. Who knew there would be a problem after all this time. I called right away and was scheduled for an ultrasound that week. He was scheduled to call me the following week with the results, BUT he called within a few days and said I had uterine cancer. OMG CANCER! He was very optimistic that all would be well. I asked him whom he would go to if it was he in my shoes and he gave me several gynecologic oncologists contacts. My daughters went with me for support and to make sure I understood what was being said and asked many questions. Because I had one more art show to do, I wasn’t scheduled for a hysterectomy until the next month. My uterine cancer turned out to be stage 4c endometrial cancer involving some lymph nodes.
After visiting the infusion center for six rounds of chemotherapy, losing all of my hair but replacing it with a wig from Stewart’s Caring Place, I managed to get through it all. Did I paint during this time? Did I do anything else to occupy my mind? Yes, I did. I wasn’t going to let cancer dictate my life. I taught three drawing classes a week to adults. I did 17 paintings during that year for a one-woman show and 41 the next year for the many juried art shows. I continued in my duties as president of the Medina County Art League, vice president of Women’s Art League and organized the Hudson Society of Artist’s Clothesline Show during the Home and Garden show in Hudson in June. I also did my normal outdoor art shows; a little slower than usual, but did them. Some of my earlier work showed some darkness but gradually got brighter as I healed.
Many people think cancer is a killer. Ongoing research has changed that. Only a few of my close friends knew about my cancer. In my meetings, I gave no indication there was any illness, as I wanted them to hear what I said rather than feeling sorry for me and missing the things I was talking about.
My method of getting through this was to trust my doctor, do as I was told and trust my faith. I’m now cancer free!
Deanna Clucas
Email: deanna.clucas@roadrunner.com
Phone: (330) 697-7543
Jennifer Collins
After the initial shock of discovering she had breast cancer, Jennifer decided to turn this very negative time in her life into a very positive time and help others cope with cancer in any way she could. Just a few years earlier, with no formal training in art but a true love of birds, Jennifer had begun painting birds as a hobby and to give as gifts, using watercolors and her own detailed technique.
Jennifer did not create the five Breast Cancer Birds to be art masterpieces, but from her heart to be given as gifts to the ones who helped her so much through this trying but enlightening time in her life.
And so the originals were created and given…
“Hope” for the Cancer Care Unit and patients
“Courage” for her surgeon, his staff and patients.
“Strength” for the Radiation Dept. staff and patients.
“Friendship” for a dear friend who had gone through breast cancer a few years earlier and helped Jennifer night and day to unveil the mystery and confusion and reassure her with hope.
“Faith” this one says it all for Jennifer, it is in her home.
Jennifer is now a 16 year survivor and is doing well. She can be reached at collinsjennifer44@gmail.com
Julie Cook
In July of 2016 I felt a small lump in my breast. It was not my habit to do self-exams, but I believe God prompted me to do so that morning. I am thankful that I didn’t just brush it off or delay getting it checked out before a vacation that was already planned. The lump was hard to detect and didn’t look typical for cancer, but it turned out it was. I found out the results of my biopsy while away and appointments were set up for my return. The many tests, examinations, appointments and questions were overwhelming at times. The diagnosis of “cancer” was difficult to absorb. (and at times still has me shaking my head). I read books, articles and cleaned up what I thought was already a healthy diet. I became determined not to let the diagnosis take over my life, my passions and my day-to-day activities.
Many days were taken one day at a time and I looked for things to be thankful for so that I could concentrate on the positive and not how I might be feeling. During my treatments I chose to experiment on different type of paintings and new techniques that didn’t require as much of my mental focus or physical energy. My cancer treatments ended in September of 2017 and I was happy to have my port removed a month later. I am doing good- and I’m doing “life” with even more passion now
I appreciate the opportunity to have my art on display and hope that you are inspired by the beauty on the walls and will press on and continue to do your “life” one day at a time.
Julie Cook is a self-taught artist who mainly works in acrylics and mixed media. Julie has lived in Madison Township for over 30 years. She enjoys experimenting with paint and products to see what new textures and techniques she can create. Julie uses traditional tools as well as unique items like scraps of wood, plastic, and recycled packaging material. Julie is deeply inspired by God's creation and is thankful for the ability He has given her.
Julie's artwork has been juried into several shows throughout Northeast Ohio, and she has had several solo shows including those at Penitentiary Glen, Fairmount Art Center, Solon Center for the Arts, and Holden Arboretum. She is an artist at Stella’s Art Gallery in the Matchworks Building in Mentor. Currently 4 of her paintings are in the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in the gallery hallway between Concourse A and B. A portion of the sale of each painting is sent to an organization that helps at-risk children on the Thailand/Burma border where her daughter works. Julie’s paintings are making a difference in the lives of those children, as well as bringing peace, joy, and contentment to many others.
Julie Cook
wallexpressionsbyjulie@gmail.com
www.wallexpressionsbyjulie.com
Instagram: Wallexpressionsbyjulie
FB: Wall Expressions by Julie
Paula Z. Daum
Diagnosed with a late-stage colon cancer in August 1999, I quit my position as an Operations Manager in corporate America to focus on my recovery. Given a 30% survival rate, I knew I was in for an uphill battle, but that didn’t deter me; there were too many things I had not yet accomplished. And, I dangled that carrot in front, reminding myself of the rewards that lay ahead.
As a chemotherapy patient with short odds, I maintained hope and determination. Visual imagery helped to soothe me. Focusing on works of art offered a pleasant escape, and I believe it aided my recovery by giving me a positive mindset in my chemotherapy sessions. I have been cancer-free for 18 years. Being a cancer survivor, I find every day is a good day. As an artist, I not only survived but also have thrived. My gratitude is abundant.
My photography has been exhibited across the United States and Europe. It is included in the permanent collections of Florida Gulf Coast University, Orange County Permanent Collection, Orlando, FL, and Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH; and, was on exhibit at the Governor’s Office in Columbus, OH from 2015-2017. Select publications which include my photography are 52 Artists, 52 Weeks; Brevity Magazine; Witness Magazine; Florida Oasis: Harry P. Leu Gardens; and Red Chair Visits Orange County Public Art. I am a Capelli d’Angeli Foundation Artist Grant recipient and was awarded a United Arts of Central Florida Individual Artist Grant, as well as the FLAG Founder’s Prize in 2011. I spent September through December 2012 in Taos, NM, as a Writing Resident at the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation. I was awarded the Grace Paley Fellowship for April 2017 at Vermont Studio Center.
My website is: www.pamelazdaum.com
Kathryn Holzheimer
In October of 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The surgery was quick. And afterwards, while healing, I had many hours of reviewing what life had given to me up to this point and what would be the meaning of my life from this point forward. This was quite a good time for reflection, cleansing, and looking at life with new perspective.
Then came the aftercare of keeping the cancer at bay. Questions concerning chemo, radiation and medication for the next five years brought up many concerns, worries and problems with side effects from different medicines that had to be changed and tied in with terrible after effects
The good news was that I could express my concerns, thoughts of life’s fragile equilibrium, and wonder of what would change – into my art. I am an acrylic impressionist painter which allows me to speak with silence of words but strong in visual meaning. Because my work is representational, it might be hard for the viewer to understand my intentions but allows them to wonder what the art piece means to them. In each piece I have shown at the hospital, there is a connection to the disease. Most in a positive note, of being able to share with others with common grounds, thankfulness to the loved ones around me at this period of time, and reflection of the inner soul.
I always try to see the positive reason on why we are given different cross roads in our life and how can we learn by these experiences. I hope through my art, you can see this message.
Web: holzheimerarts.com
Email: hold7300@yahoo.com
Phone: (216) 956-4511
David Lile
It all began in December of 2010, when my wife Kathy, insightfully shared…”You look anemic in this photograph!” A casual general checkup and standard blood test trip to the doctor, 4 days later, did not reveal anything unusual.
However, that same evening, at 10:00 pm, the day before Christmas Eve, I received a phone call at my home, from the doctor’s office, telling me that they had a team of doctor’s waiting for me, in the Emergency Department, at Akron City Hospital and I had to get there as soon as possible. There was an anomaly in one of my standard blood tests.
The next morning, on Christmas Eve 2010, I was told by Dr. Douglas Trochelman, that it was confirmed that my White Blood Cell count was 195,000 and that I had chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) with the Philadelphia Chromosome. Eight years later, due to Sprycel, one of the most advanced pharmaceuticals ever created, I am gratefully and thankfully, in full remission and my blood is perfect.
With my story shared…
Life has ways that test and strengthen one’s mind, body, soul and spirit. I have been profoundly influenced by Leukemia, realizing that each and every day is a brand new day to live to the fullest…A new day to be thankful to God, a new day to touch lives around me and a new day to continue creating my unique, artistic photographic images.
Before my diagnosis, Yes…I created artistic images, but after my newfound knowledge of fully living each and every day, my art took an even more dramatic and vibrant turn. I am now not afraid, in any way, to capture and craft architectural, elemental and environmental elements together, in ways that are not normally perceived. I embrace color, beauty, and dynamic composition.
Every space has a story to share…
Being brought to each story, I seek to reveal the personality and soul of every space, through the enhanced application of unique, vibrant, resonating colors, textures and layers. My artwork transforms often-overlooked objects and elements into powerful expressions of art that inspire visions of life among the otherwise inanimate. My desire is to have each viewer connect with a unique perspective and dynamic much larger than themselves.
Email: david@davidblile.com
Instagram: #davidbryanlile
Facebook: David B Lile
www.davidblile.com