Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021, I’m asking you to join me in supporting women.
If you’ve known me for a while you know that I’ve had my own personal experiences with the disease. This year I’m reflecting and appreciating that it’s been 18 years since I was first treated for breast cancer and 10 years since I had a second diagnosis and treatment.
Both are numbers worth celebrating and with your help, supporting others.
How to Join In…
In the coming days, I’ll be sharing on social media 18 unique works of art that were created in response to my own diagnosis and treatment. Each piece reflects on a step of my journey to healing. Always one to pay attention to the significance of numbers, the 18th letter in the Hebrew alphabet is the letter chai and means alive or living.
Purchase: When you see a piece that speaks to you email or DM me. 10% of all proceeds from this campaign will go to organizations that support women facing breast cancer. You can pick the organization of your choice or I can offer suggestions.
Share: instagram, Facebook, or Linkedin where I’ll be posting on 18 days through out the month of October.
Email me to add Body as an Open Book to your collection and support women facing breast cancer.
Day #1 Body as an Open Book (featured image above)
2004, Digital print on handmade paper with pastel and collage, 17″x28″
floated on a cream colored mat and framed with blonde ash molding.
$800.00 with free shipping in the U.S.
#2 Burnt Offering, 2004, 11”x12”x 1.25”, Encaustic, collage on wood tree section. ©NanciHersh,
$575.00, Free shipping in continental U.S., 10% of proceeds from sale to benefit breast cancer org of your choice
Reflecting on breast cancer reconstruction, I created a series of reconstructed “breasts” from a variety of materials. Initially, they were created on perfectly round circles like you would find on a wood stool. By chance, a neighbor came by and saw what I was doing with those and she told me that her husband had just cut down limbs from a tree in their yard and would I like those? And with that, the work took on a whole new direction! The pieces of plastic flowers used on the surface of this piece was from a place mat that I kept stored in a drawer below my oven that melted when I used the self- cleaning option- and Burnt Offering was born.
Nanci, It is hard to believe that it has been 18 years. What a strange a strange and difficult time time that was for you and your family and friends. That was the first time I had experienced the BRCA gene and the Ashkenazi Jewish connection. Amazingly, I have had the opportunity to tell several people about that connection and possibly help someone else along the way.
I’m so thankful all came out positive in your life and my long time friend is still here to produce your beautiful art😘❤️🎉
Yes, Cathie, for me as well. My mom was with me at the oncologist and she happened to mention that she had two aunts- her dad’s sisters, both of whom had BC. I would’ve never know. When the Dr. heard that he told us about the gene as well, had me tested, and there you go. Thank you for being a dear friend all these years and for your wonderful support! xox