“Bloom Where You Blaze”
Molly Flynn Scoggin
Downers Grove, IL
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: I learned, having Hodgkins at 19, that there are no guarantees in life. Living with cancer and an uncertain future will shake you to your core. But it will also make you stronger than you thought you were. My point of view has been, If it scares you, it’s probably worth doing. Time is sacred, don’t waste it on regrets. Seize every day, life is for living. Cancer strips life down to the essentials; it humbles you. Strength and courage can be quiet. Your true friends will show up and support you. Look for the good, the glass half full, and reasons to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Live without regrets. Do what makes you happy. Life isn’t fair, but it’s beautiful. Always choose hope.
Jane Betz
Chicago, IL
“Bloom Where You Blaze”
Acrylic
16” x 20”
$500
Artist Statement: I don’t work in one defined style. By career I’m a graphic designer, and by passion a painter creating pet portraits, abstract “flower-crowned” women, and whimsical pieces from beach glass. This 16×20 canvas is the largest I’ve painted, stretching both scale and concept and pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Because Molly and I both live in Chicago, we were able to meet in person in addition to FaceTimes and long text exchanges. Experiencing her energy firsthand shaped this piece in ways a screen never could. Molly is a ray of sunshine—strong, resilient, and deeply thoughtful. Our conversations moved easily between humor and honesty, and I found myself continually inspired by her perspective. Molly once described living with illness since age 19 as carrying a “dark cloud” that never fully leaves. Initially, I considered filling those clouds with her diagnoses. Instead, together we chose to center resilience and light. Soft clouds now frame a burst of sunshine displaying her theme word, Carpe Diem. Because of my small apartment workspace, I painted this piece kneeling on the floor. In one work-in-progress photo, a friend noted it looked as though I were kneeling at an altar. That felt fitting. The process became reverent, an act of honoring her story through paint. Symbolism is woven throughout. While sunflowers need sunlight to stand tall, at night they turn toward one another for support. That image resonated deeply. Even as this piece centers Molly, she consistently checked in on me, helping me reframe my own recent challenges. The unicorn horn references doctors calling her the “unicorn” of her diagnoses, and the single open eye represents her vigilance. This piece reflects Molly’s light and resilience, honoring the complexity and shared humanity revealed when two stories meet.