This is the artwork I created while going through cancer treatments and the on-and-off again of the pandemic lockdowns (2020-2021). It was important for me to stay creative, at least in some way. This was my exercise of hope.
I created this for my Grandma‘s birthday, remembering from my childhood that her favorite flower is the corn flower. Her brother Joe‘s favorite was poppies, and so I thought about them both as I created this image in the dead of Winter, as Christmastime quickly approaches.
Here‘s a sampling of what I was able to produce with this image. It‘s stylized but realistic, as I followed my strokes (loosely) based on a picture of an actual field here in Germany. There are wildflower fields like this all over the region where I live.
I made this for my dad, Father’s Day 2021. It’s my depiction of the imagination, how you can be swept away by it completely.
My dad has always helped me with my writing in particular, as a careful reader who sees my work before my editor ever does. As I get my novel ready for the eyes of a certain literary agent (I won’t say who just now, but I do have my eggs in one particular basket), my hope is that this is how the novel I’m currently rewriting will make readers feel.
I created this for my mom, Mother’s Day 2021. It’s a quiet and contemplative place, a little corner with pink and a bench to sit on, a place for a light breeze to sweep away the stress. It’s a place where someone can be alone or with another special person, to talk.
The old guy in his underwear and bathrobe, wheeling out his IV stand and smoking directly underneath the non-smoking sign is a REAL THING I’ve seen at my hospital. It inspired this comic panel. Honestly, how could it not?
I learned that in New Zealand, there are special trees that seem to hold and support each other. Hugging trees. These are the New Zealand trees of Christmas, Love and Life. The way the branches meet – something many trees do not do at all – reminded me of the Celtic Knot.
It seemed natural to combine these two ideas and I decided to use rather muted Christmas tones (rusty red and mossy tones of green) with a golden backdrop. Here is a small sampling of how it’s been applied to some of my favorite products.
I really love this design. And I do know that mistletoe is a parasite. It doesn’t matter. It’s beautiful and the symbolic importance of the plant has been around since the pagans. The berries are said to be the tears of a goddess who mourned her lost love. So get the kissy-kissy stuff going!
To me, mistletoe is a warm, giggle-making plant that bears the tradition of making everyone smile, hug and kiss. Any excuse will do! If you’re wearing this, you’ll be better off than the neighborhood chimney sweep.
As a design, the color palette is striking, with bold colors that are going to look great – no matter the weather – with a slightly batik inspiration, texturally.
MiniskirtSpiral Notebook (choose paper)Scarf (140 x 140cm)A-line DressGraphic T-shirt DressComforter (choose from 5 sizes)
Her answer: “I don’t know! It just feels more personal.” This idea came to me as I was thinking about my folks and the video call we were going to have the next day.
This drawing was actually my first stab at creating a comic panel, something I’ve always wanted to do. Very hard work, but super fun.
I just really like this. I started first with the thought of fingerprints, and how each is unique. If you read my blog about My Strangest Chemo Side Effect, you know about how the chemo treatment has erased my fingerprints. So that was on my mind.
It’s winter, and while we haven’t had any snow yet, it’s something I both expect and hope to see. A quiet snowfall is peaceful. These ideas were in my head and I started drawing this. It started as a traditional doily, very classic, and changed as I worked on it.
There’s a bit of a floral slant, a bit of a peacock feather, and a bit of a compass. I don’t know what all was in my head, but I like the result.
The original artwork an illustration of actual orchids and a bird figurine that once hung on the edge of the pot (the figurine has since fallen one too many times and broken). These orchids are quite special to me, because they were a present from my mother in-law on my very first Mother’s Day. They’re now fourteen years old.
I wanted some of the products with this design to be delicate and light, and for others to be more bold. The dark background is a deep and warm brown – almost black, but not quite. I especially love how this looks on ceramic and stainless steel.
Wrap-Around Hardback Journal (choice of paper)
I decided to keep this a very limited series, so a good number of products that were once available on RedBubble have been discontinued.
I’ve shared this comic panel (my second one EVER) with some of my friends and the response has been both varied and extreme. I was so uncertain by the feedback, I considered just sticking this in a drawer forever. One close friend who loves me said this joke hurt her.
Most said they were impressed by the artwork and could intellectually get the joke and why it would be funny to ME – someone going through chemotherapy right now.
But then I realized – that’s how humor is. Humor is funny that way. Ahem.
It was my dear friend Celeste who told me to just go for it. The Gallows (chemo) Humor and the sentiment in it is something I need, and it’s my guess that other cancer patients out there will get a good laugh out of this.
Celeste says it’s important to laugh through the pain and that feels right to me. As someone fighting cancer, this is just absolutely hilarious. It rings TRUE.
Shown below are five products I’ve designed, though more options are available.
I’m showcasing the items a cancer patient generally needs when going to the hospital for another chemotherapy session. Utmost priority: a water bottle (or travel mug for tea) to stay hydrated and flush the chemo drugs through your system. If you don’t drink enough, the chemo can cause permanent damage to your bladder.
Cancer TIP: Green Tea has been proven in several scientific tests to shrink tumors. Make sure your green tea is without caffeine so that you won’t get the jitters.
Also important for a chemo patient: a scarf to stay warm, a zipper pouch to keep the pills and/or shot they give you to take home that day, and a simple bag to keep everything together, with straps that drape over the arm of your chemo chair for easy access. (Otherwise your bag is just on the floor.)
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
