Rhapsody in Pink

by Vincent Blackwood

An Introduction to the Art of the Cancer Diva

True art is the ultimate renewable resource. It always has something new to give you. You can come back to it over and over and it doesn't disappoint, it just grows more powerful.

You think it would have hit me the first time I saw the Cancer Diva’s (CD’s) drawings. We had dinner together and she showed them to me. But their power really hit me later that night as I sat alone in my apartment. CD was kind enough to lend them to me. I knew I had to scan them. I knew I had to post them on the web. I had to get people to see them and to understand everything that was behind them.

But my passion and enthusiasm really surfaced as I took each drawing out of their plastic covers to scan them. I suddenly felt like the first scholar to see the dead sea scrolls. He must have handled them with such care. He knew exactly what they were worth -- how invaluable every inch, ever mark on them was.

To me these drawings were the most valuable, delicate things I had ever had the privilege to hold. There are millions of diamonds in the world, but only one of each of these drawings. They tell a story of an incredible, painful, joyful journey. They are sad and funny. They are about lost and found dreams. They tell so intensely what it is to be human -- but they are written in a wonderful unknown language I am just learning. I know that they have so much to tell me that I don't understand completely yet.

Each time I look at them I see something new. I understand a little more. These are not pictures of solid things after all. These are portraits of very fragile feelings that were there for a moment and are now gone forever. I know I bring something of myself to each drawing. But CD left that space so I could complete the circle. As you will find -- she’s big on circles. I hope you will look at these and not think or judge. Just let go and feel. I am a better person for doing that and for knowing CD.