Painting Through a Life-Altering Illness
A look inside Frances’ charming roadside makers shop.
I met artist and handmade shop owner Frances Oram on Instagram. Like many artists I follow, her work is beautiful, and her shop is so charming! Her shop is actually an old shed she fixed up, and it sits on the side of a two-lane highway in front of her property in Nova Scotia. During the summers, she fills it with product and opens it up so it can be seen by the cars passing by. I would totally be one of those people who would stop and purchase a souvenir from a local artist where I’m traveling. It doesn't get any more authentic than that!
So when I saw a video of this adorable shop on Instagram, I was smitten. I got to know Frances a bit better when she participated in a recent 30 Day Flower Challenge I co-hosted with artist @IllustrationFannyHH on Instagram. Frances had painted several gorgeous flower paintings on bookmarks and other products that she would be stocking in her shop for the summer. What a cool story and a great reason to participate in a painting challenge! I am all for mixing fun and utilitarian activities!
What I didn't know, was that she was doing all of this with a brain tumor. . .
Frances’ renovated shed, turned roadside makers shop.
What I didn't know, was that she was working a shop and creating beautiful, handmade objects plus selling them, and going about her life, all while contending with a brain tumor. What??? Frances’ Instagram feed is loaded with beautiful watercolor paintings and projects that she has completed over time, plus features beautiful shots of Nova Scotia. I would have never known that she was battling a life-threatening condition on a daily basis!
I also didn’t realize that there are all levels of brain tumors with varying degrees of effects. Frances is about right in the middle so she will likely live through it, but experiences a very different life than before. She went from managing a successful business where she was independent, self sufficient, very sharp mentally with endless energy for life, to not being able to remember words, speech is affected, memory loss to a scary degree, unable to drive, unable to walk in low light or dark, unable to work, unable to be in a crowd or walk a straight line.” She does specific therapies and gets counselling, and works everyday on her damaged vestibular system, something she will always have to do. Art helps her cognitive functions and concentration. It’s a key to her quality of life, and it allows her to interact with people online and in person.
Art is a key to Frances’ quality of life!
May was #BrainTumorAwarenessMonth and the grey ribbon, plus wearing the color gray, shows support for those affected. But there is no bad time to become aware of what it’s like for some to live their life with a life-altering condition like this. Frances’ story is just one of many, which is mind-blowing. It has moved me deeply, and reminded me of how many times have I complained about a situation only to realize how easy I have it! She has inspired me and made me realize that I have a responsibility to live out my dreams as fearlessly as possible because life throws us curveballs. What we do with those curveballs is what defines us.
A closeup of some of the beautiful things Frances has filled her tiny shop with.
Frances is an unstoppable force of nature who continues to put out positive energy, while making beautiful things for others. Turning an old shed into a charming roadside shop, and sharing her lovely work so others will have something unique to take home for themselves, or as gifts; just wow…. It makes me stop and wonder about how precious life really is.
It's stories like this, that make me happy I am a part of this world filled with so many amazing people.
Frances is not the only one in my circle painting through a terminal illness, and for those of you who have shared your story with me, please know that I am honored to be a part of your journey. I hope to tell more of your stories going forward. The truth is that each and every one of us has scars and difficult things we live with. Some seem more heightened than others, but we all work around our own challenges. Thankfully, art is a beautiful healer that many of us turn to when things get the roughest.
To see how constant and dedicated Frances is, puts some wind under my wings. It strengthens and uplifts me. It makes me want to be sure I am putting out as much of my own magic as I can, because you know what? Francis has told me I inspire her. What if I can inspire and get to know others like Frances? What kind of impact could I make? I don’t know the answer to that yet, but the thought gives me chills, and I intend to find out.
I hope to tell more of these stories going forward, because so many artists are creating in seemingly impossible circumstances.
So my question to you is this. Are you pursuing the dream you know is in your heart? Are you putting all excuses aside and going for it in full force? I will admit that I do hold back. Sometimes it's for lack of energy, but many times it's because of fear. Knowing what I know now, I don't want fear to be the reason I hold back. I now see that there is no time for it. There are people out there who need who we are, and what we do. They need us to put some wind under their wings so they have the courage to live a bit more fearlessly too. I think that’s what we’re meant to do for each other when it’s all said and done.
Fyi, if you’d like to support organizations who help people like Frances when they need it the most, you can donate to ANA (Acoustic Neuroma Association) in the US, or the ANAC which is their chapter in Canada.
I’ll leave you with a thought. Do you have a dream that you‘ve been procrastinating about that you can take action on today? I have been wanting to start a podcast for two years, because I have things I want to say to you, but haven’t done it yet. This is my wake up call, and I’ve decided that 2023 is going to be the year!
What about you? Share your dream, your goals, or your big ideas, in the comments below, and make it real. I can’t wait to hear about it, and I’ll be right here to cheer you on!
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