Name
Katarina Love

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

Describe your art here - type of art, techniques and materials used, what your art represents and what it means to you.
why me? is acrylic paint and ink on watercolor paper. The inspiration for this painting comes from the emotions and thoughts I had during my first years after being diagnosed. I was tormenting myself by asking me, "Why, out of all people, did I get a brain tumor? Did I do something to deserve this?"
Four years later, I still don't know the answer as to why I have a brain tumor, but I've made peace with the question. Being a survivor is part of who I am now, and I'm happier now that I've accepted it.

Please include your age, tumor type and date of diagnosis (patients & survivors only) and let us know how art has impacted your life.
My name is Katarina Love. I'm 15 years old and I was diagnosed with a low grade ganglioglioma in my brainstem on March 17th, 2017. Art is one of the most important things in the world to me. I cannot understate how crucial art has been to my healing in the past four years. I've been able to express emotions and struggles that I can't express any other way. This is my third year participating in the Art of Surviving exhibit.