Jon Kessler and Lindsay Patton
The Story
Jon Kessler
Randolph, NJ
www.cancercarecoaching.com
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: There are many ways to share your story. It can be in a book, on a podcast, or as a speaker. This experience opened my eyes to a completely new way to tell my story. I never knew art could be a medium for accomplishing that.
www.cancercarecoaching.com
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: There are many ways to share your story. It can be in a book, on a podcast, or as a speaker. This experience opened my eyes to a completely new way to tell my story. I never knew art could be a medium for accomplishing that.
Lindsay Patton
Grand Rapids, MI
www.Blackstarcomms.com
@pattonlindsay
“Jon 2.0”
Acrylic paint with posca markers and black ink
24” x 36”
$500
Artist Statement: Jon’s painting came to me instantly. Our first meeting was over Zoom, and immediately his zest for life was powerful, even with screens between us. After our initial pleasantries, the conversation turned to cruises. Jon shared his determination to build the post-cancer life of his dreams and how his outlook is much different from his pre-cancer life.
Jon has a term he uses for his post-cancer self—“Jon 2.0.” He is simultaneously proud of his new self without being hurtful to his previous self. He understands his beta version did not have the knowledge and tools to build his current life, making his Jon 2.0 life sweeter.
Part of his post-cancer joy comes from meeting his wife, who introduced him to cruise vacations. When our intro call ended, I realized it consisted mostly of cruise talk. As a journalist, I naturally pick up on conversation topics with a strong emotional connection. As I mentally reviewed our call, I realized I did this with Jon, letting him share as much as he wanted and asking questions to explore this emotional connection to cruise vacations.
I had never painted a cruise ship before. However, there was no other option. As we continued to meet, it became clear this was the symbol of Jon’s post-cancer life. A place he didn’t have before he beat cancer, a place that’s happy, safe, and alongside his favorite person.
www.Blackstarcomms.com
@pattonlindsay
“Jon 2.0”
Acrylic paint with posca markers and black ink
24” x 36”
$500
Artist Statement: Jon’s painting came to me instantly. Our first meeting was over Zoom, and immediately his zest for life was powerful, even with screens between us. After our initial pleasantries, the conversation turned to cruises. Jon shared his determination to build the post-cancer life of his dreams and how his outlook is much different from his pre-cancer life.
Jon has a term he uses for his post-cancer self—“Jon 2.0.” He is simultaneously proud of his new self without being hurtful to his previous self. He understands his beta version did not have the knowledge and tools to build his current life, making his Jon 2.0 life sweeter.
Part of his post-cancer joy comes from meeting his wife, who introduced him to cruise vacations. When our intro call ended, I realized it consisted mostly of cruise talk. As a journalist, I naturally pick up on conversation topics with a strong emotional connection. As I mentally reviewed our call, I realized I did this with Jon, letting him share as much as he wanted and asking questions to explore this emotional connection to cruise vacations.
I had never painted a cruise ship before. However, there was no other option. As we continued to meet, it became clear this was the symbol of Jon’s post-cancer life. A place he didn’t have before he beat cancer, a place that’s happy, safe, and alongside his favorite person.