RF
My Grateful Heart
Acrylic, marker, watercolor, paint marker, ballpoint pen and ink on paper
Artist Statement
“My Grateful Heart” is deeply rooted in the relationship I have developed with my body through adversity and healing. After facing serious health challenges, I became more aware of the extraordinary work our bodies do every day. This painting depicts a young woman holding her heart in a gesture of gratitude, protection, and acknowledgment. Her skirt reveals fantastical representations of internal organs, exposing what is usually hidden beneath the surface. These forms symbolize the interconnectedness of body, mind, and nature.
I see the body as a partner that endures, adapts, and carries us forward. The flowers and surrounding landscape represent growth, renewal, and life’s continuous cycle. This painting is both a celebration and a tribute to the body that sustained me. It reflects how survival can deepen our connection to ourselves, to others, and to life itself. I cherish and honor the body and heart that carried me through.
52 Views of Cancer
52 Views of Cancer is a deck of playing cards illustrated by people who know cancer firsthand. Each of the 52 cards carries original artwork by a different cancer patient, survivor, or immediate family member, each with their own view of the disease.
The artwork comes first. We're bringing the deck to major scientific and medical conferences and putting these artists' work directly into the hands of the researchers and clinicians working on the cancers they've faced.
Learn more about Invenra’s efforts to fight cancer.
