I made this painting using acrylic paints. I did not use paintbrushes, only my hands. I have always loved trees. I think that the different shades of browns in the painting show the sadness, loneliness, fear, and anger I was feeling after my diagnosis of breast cancer.
In the spring of 2016, I was diagnosed with stage II invasive ductal carcinoma. I had surgery—bilateral mastectomy—in June, followed by chemotherapy in July.
I painted this tree at a breast cancer retreat, while I was going through treatment. This tree shows the sadness and anger that I was feeling. My second acrylic painting, titled “Dark & Twisted,” shows my feelings during treatment, asking “why me”? I try to stay positive, but sometimes I just have to let the dark thoughts and feelings out.