Channel 6 ABC Interview
Breast cancer survivor shares painting talent with others
http://6abc.com/health/breast-cancer-survivor-shares-painting-talent-with-others/1036777/
For one Bethlehem woman, her breast cancer battle awakened a talent she is now sharing with other patients, and beyond.
By Monica Malpass
Friday, October 16, 2015 05:41PM
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) --
Breast cancer changes a woman forever. There are negative changes, of course, but for one Bethlehem woman, it awakened a talent she is now sharing with other patients, and beyond.
"I took violin lessons, and clarinet lessons and that, but the art was always what she seemed to pinpoint, and go help me on. I did pottery, I did sketching and I did water colors, but I never did oil. I was always afraid and intimidated by oils," she said.
Although Susan liked art, she largely put it aside going into adulthood, not wanting to be "just another starving artist."
"I went into law," she said with a laugh. "It was the practical side of me."
But in 2004, during the gray days when she was battling breast cancer, Susan came back to art and by then, she loved oil paints.
"Every time I came down to my studio to paint, it just made me happy. I get such a thrill, really, when I paint with a beautiful pink or magenta," said Susan.
Soon, she wanted to share that positive energy she felt. She also wanted to share hope - after all, it's her middle name.
"I want to give something back to someone else, and make them feel happy, or make them feel - it's OK, you're going to get through this," she said.
Susan started donating paintings to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, where she received her initial treatment.
From there, it's snowballed. Her works hang in a number of hospitals, including the infusion room and the Women's Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Her entry "Visions of Hope" in the 2014 "Lilly Oncology on Canvas" national contest won overall first place.
Every day, hundreds of SEPTA riders at the Fox Chase train station get to see the mural of her 2010 artwork "Awaken." In September of 2014, the public voted her artwork as the Philadelphia mural. One of 10 murals being created by the Lilly Oncology on Canvas organization which were celebrating their 10 year benchmark.
Susan says she isn't looking for recognition, just to share nature's beauty with others through the talent she almost overlooked.
"I say thanks mom, because she's the one who believed in me all my life," said Susan.
Support the fight against breast cancer Saturday morning at Memorial Hall at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7:30 a.m.
http://6abc.com/health/breast-cancer-survivor-shares-painting-talent-with-others/1036777/
For one Bethlehem woman, her breast cancer battle awakened a talent she is now sharing with other patients, and beyond.
By Monica Malpass
Friday, October 16, 2015 05:41PM
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WPVI) --
Breast cancer changes a woman forever. There are negative changes, of course, but for one Bethlehem woman, it awakened a talent she is now sharing with other patients, and beyond.
"I took violin lessons, and clarinet lessons and that, but the art was always what she seemed to pinpoint, and go help me on. I did pottery, I did sketching and I did water colors, but I never did oil. I was always afraid and intimidated by oils," she said.
Although Susan liked art, she largely put it aside going into adulthood, not wanting to be "just another starving artist."
"I went into law," she said with a laugh. "It was the practical side of me."
But in 2004, during the gray days when she was battling breast cancer, Susan came back to art and by then, she loved oil paints.
"Every time I came down to my studio to paint, it just made me happy. I get such a thrill, really, when I paint with a beautiful pink or magenta," said Susan.
Soon, she wanted to share that positive energy she felt. She also wanted to share hope - after all, it's her middle name.
"I want to give something back to someone else, and make them feel happy, or make them feel - it's OK, you're going to get through this," she said.
Susan started donating paintings to St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem, where she received her initial treatment.
From there, it's snowballed. Her works hang in a number of hospitals, including the infusion room and the Women's Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Her entry "Visions of Hope" in the 2014 "Lilly Oncology on Canvas" national contest won overall first place.
Every day, hundreds of SEPTA riders at the Fox Chase train station get to see the mural of her 2010 artwork "Awaken." In September of 2014, the public voted her artwork as the Philadelphia mural. One of 10 murals being created by the Lilly Oncology on Canvas organization which were celebrating their 10 year benchmark.
Susan says she isn't looking for recognition, just to share nature's beauty with others through the talent she almost overlooked.
"I say thanks mom, because she's the one who believed in me all my life," said Susan.
Support the fight against breast cancer Saturday morning at Memorial Hall at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the opening ceremony is at 7:30 a.m.