Queen Brittney

THE MODEL: Brittney (Ohio)

In 2019, at the age of 32, Brittney was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. Within the 5 years prior, she had been married, became a mother and was enrolled in school.  The cancer type was hormonal, and the more estrogen she produced, the greater the risk of reoccurance.  Her dream of growing her family was now a risky reality that she now had to accept.  When she first heard the news, she was quite afraid as she didn't know what to expect from treatment.  She never questioned why this was happening to her.  Instead she used this as an opportunity to become more health conscious and intenional with her life.   Where she used to take time for granted, she appreciates each moment she can share with those who matter most.  She has acquired a vast amount of knowledge on a healthier lifestyle.  Not only with maintaining a lower weight, but also with alternative therapies, and avoiding environmental toxins.  

Brittney has maintained an extremely postitive attitude throughout her journey, however there are moments where she is challenged with the pressures of being a "Cancer Thriver", a term that she uses to describe her journey.  "Cancer changes you, and you are never truly free from it.  What you do with it and how you use it, is up to you".  One of the most challenging aspects of her journey has been the mental stress of dealing with the unknown and an uncommonly known feeling of survivor's guilt.  This is a feeling of gratefulness and doubt all at the same time.  Despite this feeling, Brittney is an OVERCOMER and uses this chapter in her book as a testimony.  While she has never been one to publicize her story, she does find comfort in sharing her experience with others. 

ARTIST:  Natalie Eastman (Florida)

Natalie Eastman, B.F.A. is a classically trained fine artist with over 25 years of experience in the arts. Her spectrum of subject matter is vast and mixed media and acrylic is the primary medium used in her creations. Her work strongly emphasizes texture and experimentation with different 3D materials. While much of the work demonstrates movement, it often refers to deeper social and cultural subject matter. An intentional juxstaposition is created with the occasional pop-culture reference. This intended clash invites the viewer to challenge their own sense of normal or even go as far as causing discomfort in the viewer.

​Website:NatalieEastmanArt.com

CANCER MEETS ART:

The message Brittney wanted conveyed through art is  "Live While Living". 

Brittney always put things on the back burner, but within this journey she was reminded that  "you don't know how much time you have to live and you can't get any time back, so you have to make the most of each moment".  

ABOUT THE ARTWORK:

This portrait is sized at 36 x 23 and mixed media textured.