LAAP was born out of my own struggle with Advanced Neurotoxic Lyme Disease. I needed to find some way to transcend my own suffering and to give myself a sense of purpose. I was also horrified at the lack of unbiased research that had been done and the often violent clash of opinions in the medical world not only on treatment protocol but whether or not Advanced Lyme could be cured at all! Through LAAP I hope to paint some of the faces and stories behind Lyme to raise awareness that more research is desperately needed.
When I have enough paintings completed for a show I will be looking for galleries and businesses that are interested in hosting the show and helping me publicize it to raise Lyme awareness. Although the primary goal, at least initially, is not to sell the paintings but to keep them together as a traveling show as long as possible to raise Lyme awareness, there will be signed giclee prints of each painting available for sale. The hope is that funds raised by selling the prints and from donations will pay for the supplies and costs related to the project.
“I'm not afraid of Lyme disease. I know I can beat it. I'm tough and strong and I can be as mean as a dinosaur. This disease can't slow me down.”
Jeff - age 6 - Middlesex, VT
Transfusing Lyme
Transfusing Lyme was the first painting I did that had to do with my Lyme disease. I was doing the painting as an expressive art exercise to help me deal with my own suffering but during the process of doing this painting I knew that I was supposed to paint the stories of other Lyme sufferers not just myself. So out of this first painting the Lyme Awareness Art Project was born.
L.E.M. 45 Corinth, Vermont
When Words Fail
“When I was at my worst, my son encouraged me to write some poetry like I used to years ago. I thought it impossible. I thought that my life had seen the end of its significance because of this disease, but he encouraged me - so I finally gave in and went to a riverside in the beautiful town next to us. There I would sit twice a day and wait for inspiration. Even when words were not there, I wrote what it was for them not to be there. This became a window to light each day - and it helped me so much”
Glen - Age 67 - Highbridge, New Jersey
Sea Glass & Healing
"Since I was infected with Lyme it seems like nothing is fun anymore. I am frustrated and get very depressed, I mourn fun, I mourn energy, I mourn the old me. My spirit is crushed by sadness. My only comfort is my weekly beach walk by myself. I hunt for sea shells and sea glass and for that short time I feel 5 years old and a little happy. I am safe by myself, no performance, no forced smiles, and no uncomfortable conversations. I sing songs, I pray, I cry. The lord always meets me there and fills my empty spirit with his love and hope."
Elizabeth Neal - 48 -
Santa Cruz County,
California
Psalms of David
“I hate my life. I hate myself. I hate my body and all its limitations. I hate this dam disease. I hate everyone who thinks they understand how I feel. I hate everyone who thinks I just need to “Get over it” and I hate people telling me to just be at peace, and that as long as I have God in my heart I will be ok. Well God’s not here. I am alone and I want to die.”
J.W.- age 30 - Vermont
Matted & shrink wrapped prints of the "Painting the Faces of Lyme" paintings are available.
Small (8 x 10) is $35.00 & Large (11 x 14) is $45.00. Print size includes matt.
There is a reduced price for the subjects of the paintings email me for info.
Funds raised by the sale of prints will help pay for supplies and show realated costs. Donations gratefully accepted.
Painting the Faces of Lyme Cyber Gallery
To read more about each of the subjects individual Lyme stories click on the links below their portraits.
“Music lives in my soul like blood in my veins, it is my lifeline, and I always thought that only death could tear us apart. I have always loved to perform for others and to witness their enjoyment of my performances, but I also thrive on my alone time with my music, just singing for myself to give my heart and soul whatever they need at that time. For several years Lyme disease senselessly robbed my life of my job, my money, my sleep, my body and my sense of identity, sanity and self worth. Losing so much was incredibly hard for me, but the most devastating thing that Lyme stole from me was my ability to sing and create music.”
Dannie Cade - Age 44, Kamloops, B.C., Canada
