Self Portrait of Air Bear

Vote

Name
Erin Loughran

Brain Tumor Type
Other

Date of Diagnosis
9/2016

Participant Group
Brain Tumor Survivor / 21 and over

Category
Drawing/Painting/Printmaking/Chalk Art

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
Acrylic on water color paper with gel pen accents. I love painting with lots of color and embracing the wabi sabiness that painting with my non dominant hand and patched eye impose. Air Bear is shown with an eye patch like I wear, lip stick, a crown of flowers with vines connecting all! A musical note as a nod to a life long love of music. It shows the tools I have to persevere even on the darkest of days.

Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
I used to be an adult ESL teacher which I thought was the best job for me. As I moved forward in my current life and finding my new purpose art gave me just that. I started painting rocks after I was first diagnosed at age 30 with an inoperable benign cavernous malformation in my Pons . I then developed HOD a rare neurological movement disorder, caused by the bleed that I suffered from. I have right side ataxia so use my left hand to paint. The nystagmus in my eyes causes double vision for which I use an eye patch. I have many invisible symptoms that are constant, but are stable at the moment.
My portrait is me,” Air Bear” as my friends and family call me. I love music , painting and my plants that bring me joy. Art is a journey, I love experimenting with different styles, mediums and colors. It is cathartic, therapeutic and healing.