August Where Did You Go?

I missed you August!

 I am looking forward to September with its cooler weather and comfy sweaters.

Time for an Update and Announcement

I am thrilled to announce my art exhibition at Gallery Merrick in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

             CAROLE REID
                at GALLERY MERRICK

              13B Commercial St
              Nanaimo, BC
              Friday, July 27 opening night part 7-9pm
              Saturday, July 28 11-4
              Sunday, July 29 11-4



After a year of healing and recovery through creating art I am finally exhibiting fifty of my favourite pieces. I have thoroughly enjoyed creating these and know deep in my heart that I have survived this past year by working on this series. I have benefited from physical, mental and emotional healing. My friends and family have watched me work madly on these and offered me amazing support.

This past year hasn't been easy. My diagnosis of breast cancer and mastectomy in May 2017, the death of my mother in August, the death of my son in law last March 2018 and the fear of the "what ifs" have all played a role is who I am as a person now.  I'm still screaming Fuck Cancer at the top of my lungs but I'm also enjoying life and all it has to offer.

Selfies….Lots of Selfies

Standing in front of the camera was never my favourite thing to do. I hated it when I was a kid and my mom wanted to take photos of me. I really hated getting school photos taken in high school. My wedding day was the first time I could face the camera without cringing inside. 

Our family photo albums  are plastered with photos of my kids and their dad. 

Then I got breast cancer. 

I bought myself an iPod to take photos of myself by myself. I didn't want someone telling me to smile because I sure didn't feel like smiling. 

Many of the photos are still too intimate to share here with you. Photos of my chest bandaged days after the mastectomy. Photos of the fresh scar that travels from the centre of my chest across to my armpit. Those will have to wait a while longer for public viewing. 

Below is a small sampling of self-portraits I've taken since May 2017. 

The day I had my hair cut in prep for it falling out.

The day my daughter shaved my head.

My first bald self-portrait. 

Second bald self-portrait.

A few days later with my favourite hat. 

Goofing around with hat options. 

Another hat.

A few months later when my hair was growing back quickly and I was tired of it all. 

More hair. 

I love this self-portrait. It's captured how I felt that day. I love how my eyes are looking up in hope while I was being swallowed alive by life after cancer.  

 I think that's enough for today. I now have way more curly, unruly, grey hair. My eyes are still dark blue and my left breast still sits where it was intended to be. Life goes on.