Art Group member Dawn Rancourt will display her work at the Wakefield Marketplace this season under the name Aspen's Way. She is pictured above with Aspen and Ava. Here is Dawn's story about how Aspen's Way came to be:
Aspen and Ava arrived at Bright Hope Farm just about the time that my hair fell out. It was a muggy evening at about 9 p.m. I watched as the car pulled up into the driveway. My husband opened the door and Aspen leapt into my arms, knocking me on to the ground with the intent of applying multiple kisses. He and Ava were a distraction from my sorrow and the light I needed to walk me through another doorway where a new life began.
Throughout each and every chemo treatment, I toted this pink suitcase on wheels, full of projects to do while I was sitting in a recliner for up to three or four hours at a time. The doctors and nurses kept photographs of my dogs at their desks and even on their refrigerators at home; Aspen and Ava brought a little happiness into their lives as well.
Having HER2 breast cancer is not being "sick". It's a life altering experience. I've had plenty of opportunity to sit and think, plan projects while in an unsettled state of sleep and bully my way through limitations I never wanted to have. All of these projects were created with loved ones in mind and most were either hand-sewn, knitted or painted.
During this three year period of time, I've stock piled a mountain of sweet memories and a room full of vintage materials, donated to me from friends I'd met along the way. Being part of the Art Group allowed me to feel inclusive and to rebuild some of that self-esteem that I'd lost. There is nothing worse than loosing your hair and feeling like an outcast from community.
The items you'll see at Aspen's Way represent all of this and more. Most of the materials are recycled and/or vintage. The fabrics are 80% vintage. The clothing worn by the jointed, stuffed bears will be hand-sewn and vintage as well.
Aspen's Way is nostalgic of the path I began three years ago and with my participation in the Marketplace this year, will offer encouragement to my brothers and sisters struggling as I did and still do to an extent.
