Late last Summer, a friend of mine from high school (we both graduated from Jordan) was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to her diagnosis, I had asked if she would be interested in modeling for any paintings. She was excited about it back then, but afterwards I wasn't sure she would be so into it. I asked her again, right before her chemo treatments began, and was happy to learn that she was still very much on board.
I told her that I would love to follow her, if she was brave enough, through her progress from patient to survivor. She happily has been into the idea, and we have begun the series. Overall, the project has a few goals. One is to help inspire other women going through the same scary scenario, to show them that even though they are facing surgery that will physically alter them, they are no less woman and no less beautiful. Another goal is to use Jennifer's image and strength to benefit a support network, and I have chosen the National Breast Cancer Foundation to fulfill that goal. Thirdly, I'll hopefully be able to help Jennifer herself later this year with a book and an auctioned painting, with some of the proceeds going towards her own medical bills.
To help reach my second goal, I've created a fundraising page, which I would love people to look into and pass along to other friends.
Right now I have completed 4 paintings, one of which came from a modeling session in Duke Gardens. She was in town for chemo treatments while I was tailgating the Wake Forest game. We got lucky with some great sun, and the first painting came out nicely. She has finished her chemo, and we won't be doing anymore sessions until after her mastectomy. She was thinking she would have to undergo a double, but the doctors have recommended a single for now. We'll do more photos/paintings at that point, and then finish the project once she undergoes reconstruction surgery. Both surgeries are taking place at Duke, she lives in Topsail.
Take a look at the paintings and the fundraising project on my NBCF page at http://fundraise.nbcf.org/jennifersjourney, and you can also see the paintings on my website at http://www.wagnerwatercolor.com. Right now they are in the gallery, but I'll be creating a dedicated page soon. Thanks much for your interest and your support!
36 x 24, Acrylic
