Love, Loss and Healing

As heavy rains and wind whipped outside my studio doors I have been working on the newest evolution of my nets which I have come to realize are also nests. Nets/nests- both are vessels for holding, a sanctuary, a filter for memories, objects. The hanging teabags mark time, a daily ritual in our home.

Love, Loss & Healing, 2012
detail 1
Wire, pulp, encaustic, collage, vinyl tubing, teabags
©2012NanciHersh

In one incarnation they hung from lines, fishing lines, like the flotsam and jetsom that wash ashore and come in with the tide.  Now they hang from clear vinyl tubing, like i.v.'s or life lines. No longer are they only bare and skeletal, most are now enveloped in another kind of netting- pantyhose that has been burned to also be net like, think fish net stockings.  The inner frameworks support the more decorative coverings which reference fashion of some kind- mostly the flamboyant hats I grew up with in my dad's milinary stores- Nobby Hats.  Family. Home.... and loss-

Love, Loss & Healing, 2012
detail 2
Wire, pulp, encaustic, collage, vinyl tubing, teabags
©2012NanciHersh

There is something breast- like about them, as they float detached from the body. But art is about creation, redemption and transformation.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who has or is facing loss during this "Frankenstorm."

A Matter of TIme

Time is a funny thing.  It seems like it's moving way too fast, like when you are having a great time or on vacation.  Or way too slow, anticipation, waiting for .... whatever that is.

A Matter of Time
Encaustic, collage on hand made paper
with inclusions
6" x 4"
©2011NanciHersh

Time is often a reoccuring theme in my work. Passing of time, collecting moments, waiting, aging.

This handmade paper collage with encaustic was created one warm day as I was farther along the healing process from surgery... a matter of time.

Body as an Open Book

Body As an Open Book is from a series of mixed media prints using photographs of my body that were taking before and during treatment for breast cancer.  It is currently part of my exhibition at Willow on State in Kennett Square, PA.

Body as an Open Book
Digital print on hand made paper with collage
10" x 22"
©2011NanciHersh

It's easy to feel like a specimen rather than a person as you move through all the stages from diagnosis to healing.   And, there is no recipe for getting through the physical and emotional trauma of any life altering experience.

But I found, that the more I made work about it, the more control I felt I had of the situation. Focusing on process. finding images and various materials that intuitively felt right with each piece helped me find distance, healing and even the lighter side of life.

What connection do you see between my body and the elements incorporated into the piece?

Art Heals

Whether you are looking at art, or making it;  art has the ability to transform our experience.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center gets it.

The Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center houses a major collection of paintings, works on paper, photographs and some sculpture, as does their other buildings.  Art fills the hallways and entry ways.  

©2011JoyceKozloff

I was pleased to see some of Joyce Kozloff's small maps in the building on 53rd street where my plastic surgeon has his office. 

The only place that art was missing was in my room- though it did have a magnetized bulletin board.

Fortunately, the 15th floor in the main hospital housed a recreation room, along with an outdoor patio (fresh air and sunshine!) and some interesting shadows (of course I had my camera!)

There was also live music at the time, a library, work tables, a sink and storage closets full of art and craft supplies.  A young woman assisted me in gathering up an assortment of quality brushes,  heavier paper, watercolors and watercolor pencils.

I spent some time working freely, playfully, and enjoying the reprieve from being a patient. 

10.5" x 7.5"
Watercolor on paper
©2011NanciHersh

7.5" x 10.5"
Watercolor on paper
©2011NanciHersh

7.5" x 10.5"
Watercolor on paper
©2011NanciHersh

7.5" x 10.5"
Watercolor on paper
©2011NanciHersh

Now, I had art for my room.

How have you used art to transform your space or experience?

Hadassah Tea and Me

I am off to Marla Friedman's home for a Hadassah Tea. I will be speaking about our book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes and Wings- and more specifically how creating art was a part of my healing process.

Fittingly, when I was gathering up my books and support materials to bring this afternoon to the Tea, I picked up the sketchbook that was gifted to me following my diagnosis. That book was the springboard for ideas, images, thoughts and feelings that began my Body as an Open Book Series. Opening the front cover I found a quote I jotted down from the book Conversations with God, "The point of life is to create- who and what you are, and then to experience that."

That resonated with me 7 years ago as it does now. That act of being creative is is part of who we are as human beings. Using images,words, sounds, our bodies, our (hidden?) gifts or talents to express our experience is the key to living our lives fully- where ever we are or where ever we find ourselves. Hope where you are is a place of contentment and joy on this Sunday in January.

Speaking of Tea, I have been keeping up with my tea bag drawings. Some are quick late night sketches to fulfill my daily intention. Others are more deliberate observations. Here are a few from January.

Hope* Healing* Renewal- InaugurationDay 2009

Just got back from taking Griffin to the school bus stop this clear, bright, and crisp January morning. The DJ on the radio was talking about the Inauguration of Barack Obama and asked what it means to you (us). That question permeates the air as I come back home and see the crowds already at the Mall since dawn (and probably earlier) on CNN.

The words Hope, Healing, and Renewal come to my mind. Pride. So many emotions and thoughts that shine with optimism and possibility.

God Bless the Obama Family. God Bless America, God Bless Everyone in this world. Can one person turn the tides of generations of history... perhaps the time is right, where we can come together and he is where he is - because of where we are. HOPE.

BE-ing ALIVE: Love ... loss

Yesterday I went to the funeral of a childhood neighbor and friend. Beth Fendell grew up next to next to me with her sister Pam. Pam and I close in age, and Beth in the same grade as my brother Lenny. The four of us grew up on McEvoy Road in Edison playing house, school, tag, and sharing in each others birthday parties, bar and bat mitzvahs and graduations. The little Beth Mae Fendell that I knew with golden curls and chubby cheeks with dimples grew into a loving, caring wife and mother. Beth died suddenly of a brain aneurysm over the weekend at the age of 46.

Friends and family came from all over to pay their respects to Beth and her grieving family. The 90 something year old rabbi who had married Beth and Andy years before led the service. It was probably one of the most memorable services I have ever been to. Beth's sister, and my friend Pam led the long list of those who eulogized this beautiful person and loving soul, and at the beginning and end the rabbi spoke of the Kabbalistic teachings of love and life and loss all being part of our human experience. He reminded us that our souls live on beyond the house/ the shell/ the body. He asked all those who are not related to family to raise our right hands and bless the family as he recited a blessing for strength and healing. The Rabbi also shared with us the words of his Kabbalistic teacher that the word ALIVE holds the lessons for how we are to live THIS life:

A- awareness. Live each moment with awareness and presence.
L - love. unconditional love, give it, live it.
I- inspiring. Be inspiring to others with your thoughts and actions
V- victorious. Be victorious over negativity. Your thoughts become your reality. Do not give time or energy to negative thoughts.
E- excitement. Be excited about everything you do.... your job, your actions, what ever it is.

thoughts to live by, so that when it is our time to pass on, we will have touched so many as Beth Fendell did, indeed.