Diane Barton
Butterflies hold a special meaning for Diane. They are beautiful in color and graceful in flight. A butterfly starts its cycle of life in a cocoon and over time, is transformed into one of nature’s most beautiful beings. The butterfly represents different stages of life and how we as people move from one stage of life to another, with each stage having a unique purpose. The swans represent Diane and her daughters. They glide over the water with a calm about them that brings us back to nature and all it offers us. Once again, nature provides the setting for all of us to capture and enjoy as we make our way through good times and bad times. These beautiful creatures can only make you smile and say, “thanks”.
Maripat Baumgartner
I picked the theme for my chair as flowers, small and dainty. I thought the style of the chair would be a great bedroom chair maybe for a young girl or lady. I like the calming effect and petiteness of it. I hope it brings much joy to somebody.
Leslie Davis
The chair is a reminder that life is fragile, but out of many broken pieces something beautiful can be transformed. It is dedicated to my family, friends, and faith – all of which helped piece my life back together after having been diagnosed with breast cancer. I will never give up the fight against breast cancer! To participate as a Survivor Artist for the Rare Chair Affair is yet another way that I can hopefully make a difference for others.
Jo DeMars
“It’s a Jungle Out There” is the theme song that begins each episode of the TV show Monk. Each week we watch as Monk, a private investigator afflicted with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), manages to overcome his fear of germs and being touched while working his way through to solve a murder. Someone with OCD could easily decide that the world is just way too scary and difficult, throw up their hands, and stay comfortably at home on the sofa. But week after week Monk demonstrates that being vulnerable doesn’t mean we give up. It would be easy, as a breast cancer survivor, to stay home and just think about the disease or what some might think of as “our broken parts.” Instead, Monk shows us that every week, even if it is a jungle out there, we can do our best and accomplish worthwhile goals. Photos I took on a recent trip to the Costa Rican jungle inspired this chair. It helps me recall the peacefulness that I often find in nature, in being among the birds, butterflies and beautiful blooming plants. Maybe what Monk is really showing us is that if you have a curious mind even the jungle isn’t so very scary.
Georgia Fitzwilliams
Artist Statement:
Each morning I am greeted by the melodic sound of our resident Sandhill Cranes. A quick walk on the deck to greet them with a cup of coffee in hand begins the day. The Finches, Cardinals, Sparrows, Hummingbirds and occasional Blue Birds gather on one of the many feeders in my front yard for breakfast while serenading anyone who will listen to their beautiful songs. This was the inspiration for my chair. The birds come ‘home’ to my yard each day and provide a peaceful tranquility that is often hard to find in one’s otherwise busy life. My fifteen-year battle with breast cancer goes on, and each year I reflect on the past year and realize how far I have come and how fortunate I have been to have worked with all the wonderful survivors through the Rare Chair event. We start with what was once a chair that couldn’t find a home and we end with a wonderful piece of art that tells a story about someone’s life and reflects the love and emotion that brought us all together in the first place. The strength and companionship that comes from this effort cannot be measured. We all share a common bond and we use that collective energy to produce these works of ‘love’ so that someday we will all share in the ultimate goal….the cure. So, please use this chair to sit and watch one of the most beautiful of all of nature’s treasures. Listen to their songs and watch their graceful flight through the air, and enjoy the peaceful tranquility that they bring to us all.
Judy Goetzke
These chairs were inspired by my best artist friend, Jeanette Burican, who past away from breast cancer. They have been painted in her style. These chairs depict where I picture her in a quiet, serene place on a beach, enjoying the ocean, birds, and sand pipers. I got involved with the RCA because as a breast cancer survivor I felt I needed to give back to all people currently and in the past afflicted with the illness. Every person working in the medical field and politically relating to breast cancer needs to know there is lots of support and gratitude for their efforts.
As an interested breast cancer advocate I will let you read between the lines of my personal experience with breast cancer. Here is my advice:
- Always question your mammogram provider if you have had suspicious results in the prior year.
- Listen to your sixth sense and become your own advocate regardless of any positive feedback you might get in any shape or form.
- Get a second opinion.
- Never, never, never give up hope!
Holly Jones
When I bowl a strike I feel like I’ve conquered the lanes. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I told myself that I have got to get through this. As a survivor of breast cancer, with the help of my family and friends, I feel like I have conquered the world.
Alice Piotrowski
I gave my chair this name because I have always loved the poem that ends with “Always be helpful to others, and give what you can spare, for by being kind to strangers, we may help angels unaware.” I have also frequently called on God’s angels to watch over me and everyone I love. I have asked them to keep us safe from physical and spiritual harm. I believe they do this as angels are mentioned in the bible about times going about doing God’s work. Many people believe we each have our own angel, protecting and guiding us. It is said that children are closer to heaven than anyone else. Some believe that when a child has an “invisible friend”, as many children do, they are actually connecting with their guardian angel! For this reason I decorated my chair for someone’s “little angel”, as a safe haven for any child with wings.
Linda Weide
I was first diagnosed in April of 1993. During these past 15 1/2 years I’ve dealt with several recurrences, which have been treated with subsequent surgery, radiation, hormonal treatments, and chemo. The majority of these treatments have been developed in recent years because of research dollars donated at events such as the Rare Chair Affair. Actually, the chemo I am currently on was approved by the FDA just last fall. I’ve often reflected on how lucky I am, in a strange sense, to have this arsenal of weapons at my disposal, most of which were not available a generation ago. I’ve been given the time to see my children graduate from high school, college, get married, and so far (and counting) present me with three gorgeous and healthy grandsons. So you see I am LIVING PROOF that we are making advances against this insidious disease. Our wonderful artist advisor, Kellie Krawczyk, suggested an election chair. I thought it was a great idea since I’m a political junkie and love the color combination of red, white, and blue.