Life is fragile, like glass. But, like glass, life is fluid. Life and glass heat up, bending and shaping themselves into new forms, often even more beautiful then whence they began. That is what I am learning from my friend, Nan, who was diagnosed with breast cancer last Fall.
These pictures were taken while Nan was undergoing chemotherapy and working in her home studio.
Nan is a beloved english teacher, for nearly 20 years, by her middle-school children and, of course, an entire community. We can't go anywhere in town without her being greeted and hugged by former students, colleagues and parents.
I remember when Nan started making jewelry, her fellow teachers would literally buy them off of her neck, wrists and ears! Her jewelry business, Winterberry Designs, is sky-rocketing. As it should. Nan creates such beautiful things. Each a treasure. Like her.
I was honored, recently, to photograph Nan in her studio while she made glass beads. What an incredible experience. The flame, the colors, the fragility, the artistry, the life, the colors, the magic, the beauty, the intensity and the warmth... reflecting, what I can only describe as, one woman's big beautiful corageous heart.
If you would like to see Nan's work in person, her next show is in Fishkill, NY on Sunday, June 3rd at The Fine Arts and Craft Show from 11-4.
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