Shyanne Batchelor and Sara Peak Convery
The Story
Shyanna Batchelor
Pittsburgh, PA
@wildly.shy
Previvor
Twist on Cancer: Cancer can be a divine tap on the shoulder if you allow it to be. I have taken my diagnosis as a deep learning experience. Healing of all parts: my mind, my inner child, my body, my heart. Facing off with my own mortality every day makes me realize the true gift is to be alive. Life is always slipping through our hands, and cancer has shown me that it's now, not later, to love with abandon, truly forgive, and get busy living. Life is happening right now. I don't wish cancer upon anyone, but I do wish the wisdom that comes from it.
@wildly.shy
Previvor
Twist on Cancer: Cancer can be a divine tap on the shoulder if you allow it to be. I have taken my diagnosis as a deep learning experience. Healing of all parts: my mind, my inner child, my body, my heart. Facing off with my own mortality every day makes me realize the true gift is to be alive. Life is always slipping through our hands, and cancer has shown me that it's now, not later, to love with abandon, truly forgive, and get busy living. Life is happening right now. I don't wish cancer upon anyone, but I do wish the wisdom that comes from it.
Sara Peak Convery
Chicago, IL
@sara.peak.convery
“Bliss”
Prismacolor crayon and acrylic on canvas
24” x 18” x 1.5”
$750
Artist Statement: On my first video meeting with Shyanne, she seemed to glow. She had chosen not to take the standard treatment and was preparing for immunotherapy. Her choice has been to stand firm in protecting her potential fertility when it was acknowledged by doctors that surgery alone would not cure or fully remove her cancer. She has what I would describe as a radical acceptance of her body. She did not describe her cancer in terms of war or invasion or hate but as a part of herself. I appreciate this viewpoint as I always found the fighting/war metaphor for cancer troubling. I was impressed by her strength of character when it came to medical choices. I had undergone a standard treatment regimen for my cancer and never really considered it a choice. We were able to share the emotional challenges of cancer with each other.
In late July, I asked Shyanne if she had any images she held in her mind about her cancer journey. She immediately shared five photographs that had been taken as part of her own documentation since diagnosis. One photo particularly struck me and stuck with me when I thought of Shyanne. She shared with me that she had not initially shared her diagnosis with most people, perhaps in part as self-protection from judgment about her treatment choices. The photo of her relaxed and reclined in a field of grass surrounded by small yellow flowers became the inspiration for the final painting composition.
@sara.peak.convery
“Bliss”
Prismacolor crayon and acrylic on canvas
24” x 18” x 1.5”
$750
Artist Statement: On my first video meeting with Shyanne, she seemed to glow. She had chosen not to take the standard treatment and was preparing for immunotherapy. Her choice has been to stand firm in protecting her potential fertility when it was acknowledged by doctors that surgery alone would not cure or fully remove her cancer. She has what I would describe as a radical acceptance of her body. She did not describe her cancer in terms of war or invasion or hate but as a part of herself. I appreciate this viewpoint as I always found the fighting/war metaphor for cancer troubling. I was impressed by her strength of character when it came to medical choices. I had undergone a standard treatment regimen for my cancer and never really considered it a choice. We were able to share the emotional challenges of cancer with each other.
In late July, I asked Shyanne if she had any images she held in her mind about her cancer journey. She immediately shared five photographs that had been taken as part of her own documentation since diagnosis. One photo particularly struck me and stuck with me when I thought of Shyanne. She shared with me that she had not initially shared her diagnosis with most people, perhaps in part as self-protection from judgment about her treatment choices. The photo of her relaxed and reclined in a field of grass surrounded by small yellow flowers became the inspiration for the final painting composition.