"The C" Word inspired by Rebecca Whitener
Artist Statement: Rebecca was initially somewhat embarrassed to admit she was an artist as well. But as I learned more about her, and all she has been through, it was apparent how much she used her art and images she liked as therapy and a coping measure. After seeing her sketches, I was the one that was a bit embarrassed to be called the “artist” of the pair. Her stuff is pretty awesome. For the first time as brushes artist, I knew this had to be a truly collaborative art piece. Candy (particularly yellow candy- but not Mr. Goodbar!) was her guilty pleasure during treatment. She would teeter between “I shouldn’t be doing this-Candy isn’t healthy” to “what does it matter anyway?”. As a graphic designer, Rebecca quickly got to work on a candy background piece. With so much going on in Rebecca’s life in the last few years -moving, motherhood, the C-word!, the re-entry into the graphic design world seemed to give her a spark. A follow-up surgery during the process didn’t even slow her down. While Cancer has changed Rebecca forever, she is finding her new normal. I am confident that art, graphic design, the number 23 (not for MJ:), VW Beatles, and Candy will help her on her journey.
