Name
Victoria P. Richardson-Lee

Brain Tumor Type
Glioma

Date of Diagnosis
09/2020

Participant Group
Caregiver/Family Member

Category
Drawing/Painting/Printmaking/Chalk Art

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
This acrylic painting on canvas was created for a paint-and-sip class I instruct on Friday evenings. I aimed to design something easy for beginners to follow, not knowing the final outcome until it was completed.

The painting represents me in the center, my adult daughter on the right, and my son, now thirteen and a five-time brain tumor warrior. Together, we have faced challenges, fought hard, and grown stronger. As my son seeks more independence, my daughter and I remain bound together as mother and daughter, friends, and caregivers for Ben.

This painting symbolizes the unexpected depth of our journey. It embodies our resilience and reminds us of the strength we find in unity, always connected as we grow together.

Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
Ben is an inspiring cancer survivor who truly embodies resilience. His joyful spirit and infectious smile light up any gathering, making him the heart of the party. Since the age of just 2, he has bravely faced the challenges of 3 brain surgeries, 2 brain tumors, and 1 aneurysm. After enjoying 5 ½ incredible years free from cancer, we were heartbroken to learn in August 2020 that Ben faced a recurrence, with two nodules appearing in the same area as his original tumor from 2014. This news was the beginning of another difficult journey. One that we never expected. "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger." the words of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It sums up exactly what our lives have been like. We are blessed to have, four and a half years cancer-free now, although we constantly live with the thought that it's going to come back and when it's going to come back. These are all the fears a parent of a child like Ben has. Yet we carry on the best way we can.

Creating art is my survival mechanism; it is my go-to for living a harmonious life. Without my art, I don't think I would have had the strength that I have. It's essential to have an outlet to release the trauma. Whether it's through creating art, writing, speaking, or even something physically invigorating, it's necessary to process the emotions in a way that embodies cathartic release.
Thank you for this opportunity to share my art and for a great cause too. I am grateful!
- Ben's Momma