I have always enjoyed crafts and was looking for a new outlet to relieve some stress. I wanted to give woodworking try. My husband supported my interest, gave me a dermel tool, a variety of bits and a wood supply. I have been, with my husbands help, teaching myself how make wooden signs. I find woodworking and using power tools to be a perfect way to express my emotions. I even feel a little powerful, like I have control over something again.

When I went in for my initial ultrasound, on the screen I saw what appeared to be a large one-armed crab. When the radiologist told me that dark mass was cancer, I asked how he knew so quickly. He told me the shape of the tumor revealed the diagnosis even before biopsies or other tests were done. He explained the crab shape was indicative of many cancers. The word cancer comes from the Latin word for crab. As I worked on this mixed media piece, I wanted to capture my interpretation of the tumor growing inside my body. It was ugly, but strong. I pictured it amid a web of veins and arteries clawing its way through my body.

The Cancer Within

Made for FORCE to be used as an auction item. The pink and the teal are representative of the colors of breast and ovarian cancer. I took a class with Jan Krentz to learn her technique and she happily gave me permission to use this quilt to benefit cancer research and education. It was long-arm quilted by Leslie Schliep who did just an outstanding job.

Woodworking

By Raylene Rebai

November 8th, 2016

Latest News