JANUARY 2018 ARTIST OF THE MONTH! Celebrating the Work of Artists Affected by Multiple Sclerosis

[CalfeeChick]

January 2018 Artist of the Month: Congratulations Mary W.!

MSAA is very proud to present our 2017-18 Art Showcase – celebrating the work of artists affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

We have received many wonderful submissions from across the country and are delighted to share their work and their stories with you. Please visit our online gallery to view all of the new submissions.

Mary W. – Colorado Springs, CO - New Skates

About the Artist:

“My life has always been absorbed with the creative arts. After receiving a degree in graphic design, I was fortunate to have had a long and fulfilling career in the art field. Then I was diagnosed in 1995 with multiple sclerosis.

I was totally unaware of what kind of journey this disease was going to take me. This journey is one I’ve turned into a positive. It has shown me how strong and durable I can be.”

You can read more about Mary here:

blog.mymsaa.org/january-201...

You can read and see the online gallery here: blog.mymsaa.org/january-201...

Again, Congratulations Mary for being our first selected artist of 2018!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Mary, this is beautiful. I love the serenity in her expression as she laces up her skates just right. I'm sure she's dreaming of the twirls and jumps she will accomplish as she dreams of becoming an Olympic athlete! I starting skating at the age of four. On a frozen river in the little town where I was born. I could skate very well by the age of 10, twirls, a few jumps, and could skate backwards. Of course, we could only practice and skate about 2 months each year. Can you tell, I'm reliving those wonderful days as a child.

[eharoot in reply to CalfeeChick]

and do you still sometimes yearn to do it now. I do

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to eharoot]

Yes, I certainly miss my athletic ability & lifestyle. As an adult, I transitioned to become a long distance bicyclist, riding hundreds of miles a week😊🚲

[janetb1968]

What a lovely painting I could never skate but my cousin could and she was really good 😊😊😊😊

[erash]

This is beautiful!

[Kenu]

What a great painting . My dad taught me how to skate on a local pond. He was on the U.S.Army team back in the 50’s. He was a great skater and teacher, very patient person. Memories are great 👍. Congratulations 🍾🎉 on painting 🤗😉👍😍🙏 Ken

[jimeka]

Congratulations Mary W, it gives us all encouragement to see such accomplishments achieved by someone with ms. Like Kenu my dad taught me to skate on the local pond, which hardly ever seems to et frozen over these days. Oh the memories. 👍 👏

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Glad to see I wasn't the only one to learn to skate on a frozen river or pond. What wonderful memories Mary W's picture brings to us. My brother and some older kids taught me to skate. Sweet memories

[eharoot]

this is lovely Mary. feels like Norman Rockwell. Thank you

[johnMSAA Partner]

Isn't Mary's artwork great?! Thank you for highlighting it here on our My MSAA Community, CalfeeChick !

Mary also has a few other non-seasonal pieces highlighted in our online gallery here:

mymsaa.org/artshowcase2017/...

- John, MSAA

[agapepilgrim]

I soooooooo admire artists!!! The expression captured on the girl's face is so very realistic, so peaceful, so contented with doing something she loves! What a talent Mary has! It just amazes me that human emotions can be captured with a brush and put on paper to share for the world to see. My home is filled with art - preferable oil paintings of the ocean!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to agapepilgrim]

There is so much talent among us in our group. What is taken by MS, is given back in our friendships here and God given artistic talents.

[6092177588]

Love your art and inspiration. I get frustrated with pain but I hope I can stay positive and at peace with this.