“The Magical Gourmet Alchemist”
Jessica H.
Indolent systemic mastocytosis
Twist on SM: After a lifetime of living with symptoms, receiving a diagnosis was both a relief and a devastation. Suddenly I had an explanation for all the quirks of my body and at the same time I found out I had incurable cancer. It took me a little time to realize that I am still the same person I have always been (a mother, a daughter, a chef, a teacher, a friend, a lover of poetry and popcorn and beautiful sunsets) just with more answers. I now give myself some of the tenderness and compassion that I always had for other people; I’m learning to listen to my body in a new and better way.
Loretta Mangano
New Hampshire
SacredOakHealingServices.com
“The Magical Gourmet Alchemist”
Oils, acrylic, collage
24” x 24”
Artist Statement: The Magical Gourmet Alchemist: a person who transforms or create something through a seemingly magical process. Constellation: a configuration of ideas, characteristics, or events related in some way. Locus: a center or source of activities or power. Gourmet: a person who cultivates a discriminating pallet for the enjoyment of good food and drink. Jessica is an alchemist. Her beautiful soul brought light out of darkness and created safety in what felt like an unsafe world. Her “constellation” of unusual symptoms, events, and challenges all led to a “perfect locus” of the life she created. The triangular symbol of alchemy contains Jessica’s three main passions: her mama bear love for her children, being a chef for over 30 years, and educating children on culinary arts. Jessica is an amazing mother who would do anything to protect her children. Don’t mess with mama bear. Her love for all things culinary is as unique and creative as she is; her personality is sometimes sweet and loving, other time spicy and fiery, as are the dishes she creates. She teaches her children to make “personality cupcakes” (hers contained Mexican spicy chocolate and salted butter). She provides more than culinary skills to the children she educates; she teaches them to be creative and feel safe. On a note board where they can leave messages, one student wrote “I love coming to your class because when I make a mistake, you laugh with me and help clean it up.” She teaches them, and us, that we are all alchemists. Jessica has become strong through all her many challenges. “When people say I’m too much, I say, go find less.” She is an Inspiration in many ways – her soul always knew that she was here to bring light out of darkness, and to create magic.