Kristie Teal and Tayler Shannon
The Story
Kristie Teal
Talahassee, FL
Social Media: @kristieteal (FB)
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma after discovering a fast-growing mole on my back. In less than 6 months, I was faced with the news that the Melanoma had spread to my breast, lungs and liver, and just like that, I was a 42-year old mother of a 6-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl and I was a Stage 4 cancer patient. My cancer journey reminded me that I am surrounded by a community of caring and dedicated family and friends. It reminded this stubborn, independent woman that accepting help is not only okay, but necessary sometimes. It reminded me that I want to live life and to take every opportunity to make special memories with my precious children, loving husband and all my family and friends. It reminded me to appreciate every sunny day and to smile through the rainy days because they don’t last forever. My cancer journey reminded me to BELIEVE.… believe in family, love, hope, laughter, joy, healing, kindness, peace and to believe in myself because I am stronger than I ever imagined. And now, I want to continue to help others believe in themselves.
Social Media: @kristieteal (FB)
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma after discovering a fast-growing mole on my back. In less than 6 months, I was faced with the news that the Melanoma had spread to my breast, lungs and liver, and just like that, I was a 42-year old mother of a 6-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl and I was a Stage 4 cancer patient. My cancer journey reminded me that I am surrounded by a community of caring and dedicated family and friends. It reminded this stubborn, independent woman that accepting help is not only okay, but necessary sometimes. It reminded me that I want to live life and to take every opportunity to make special memories with my precious children, loving husband and all my family and friends. It reminded me to appreciate every sunny day and to smile through the rainy days because they don’t last forever. My cancer journey reminded me to BELIEVE.… believe in family, love, hope, laughter, joy, healing, kindness, peace and to believe in myself because I am stronger than I ever imagined. And now, I want to continue to help others believe in themselves.
Tayler Shannon
http://taylerkshannon.crevado.com/
“Flowers for Kristie”
A set of three 10" x 8" paintings. Each painting is displayed in a 14" x 11" x 5/8" wooden frame (with glass) that's matted for 10" x 8" art.
$495
Artist Statement: Kristie and I connected immediately during our first Zoom call. We have had similar life experiences in some ways and both use silly humor, a mindset focused on helping others and closeness to family and friends to cope. During that call, I keyed in on certain things she said when discussing her cancer story and this led to ideas about my artwork. I had been taking watercolor lessons for nearly two years (interrupted for several months by the pandemic) before finding Brushes with Cancer online, so the artistic medium was already decided. I have about three years of experience working with watercolors.
My three-painting set,“Flowers for Kristie,” represents important aspects of Kristie’s story: bluebells for constancy and perseverance, daffodils for new beginnings and purple coneflowers for strength and health. I hope that viewers of these paintings can see the careful attention I put into each brushstroke.
I believe that Kristie and I will remain friends beyond May 1st, 2022, the date of the fundraiser - this is the absolute best thing to have come out of this project, corny as that may be. Fortunately, Kristie and I both like corny, and I’m so happy we were matched for this project!
Of Special Note: I am very grateful for my teacher’s help over the last nine months since starting on this project; she assisted me from start to finish. Her name is Laura Poss and her lovely artwork can be seen at www.lauraposs.com. Thank you, Laura!
“Flowers for Kristie”
A set of three 10" x 8" paintings. Each painting is displayed in a 14" x 11" x 5/8" wooden frame (with glass) that's matted for 10" x 8" art.
$495
Artist Statement: Kristie and I connected immediately during our first Zoom call. We have had similar life experiences in some ways and both use silly humor, a mindset focused on helping others and closeness to family and friends to cope. During that call, I keyed in on certain things she said when discussing her cancer story and this led to ideas about my artwork. I had been taking watercolor lessons for nearly two years (interrupted for several months by the pandemic) before finding Brushes with Cancer online, so the artistic medium was already decided. I have about three years of experience working with watercolors.
My three-painting set,“Flowers for Kristie,” represents important aspects of Kristie’s story: bluebells for constancy and perseverance, daffodils for new beginnings and purple coneflowers for strength and health. I hope that viewers of these paintings can see the careful attention I put into each brushstroke.
I believe that Kristie and I will remain friends beyond May 1st, 2022, the date of the fundraiser - this is the absolute best thing to have come out of this project, corny as that may be. Fortunately, Kristie and I both like corny, and I’m so happy we were matched for this project!
Of Special Note: I am very grateful for my teacher’s help over the last nine months since starting on this project; she assisted me from start to finish. Her name is Laura Poss and her lovely artwork can be seen at www.lauraposs.com. Thank you, Laura!
