Name
Katarina Love

Brain Tumor Type
Other, will need to specify.

Date of Diagnosis
3/17/17

Age Group (If you are a caregiver/family member please check Caregiver/Family Member)
Youth: 13 - 20 Years of age

Category
Drawing/Painting/Printmaking/Chalk Art

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
"The Thinker" is my favorite piece from my AP Art portfolio. My sustained investigation (the question that I tried to answer through my art) was "what would the world look like if mythical beings were real?" In this graphite drawing, I referenced Auguste Rodin's "Le Penseur" but added my own twist of antlers to show how artists could take inspiration from magical creatures to put in their own work. I used graphite pencils and blending stumps to capture the detailed muscle of the creature's body.

Bio (include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis)
I'm Katarina Love, a 17 year old artist and brain tumor THRIVER living in Charlottesville, Virginia. I was diagnosed with a low-grade ganglioglioma in March 2017. I had brain surgery on Saint Patrick's day to save my life and have been pretty lucky in my brain tumor journey since then! Being able to use art as a creative outlet has helped me deal with the various stresses of being a brain tumor patient. I love every second I spend creating art, whether that be oil painting for local exhibitions or peacefully drawing in my room. I hope that my deep love for art is evident in my work and that my paintings inspire others.