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About the Artist
My name is Susan Parker-Hewson. I am 44 years old and live
in Rochester, Michigan with my physical, mental and spiritual partner,
the love of my life, Jim Hewson. We are blessed with six children
between the two of us -- Julie, Elizabeth, Tom, David, Domenic and
Sydney, and three incredible grandchildren -- Charlotte, Lauren and
Amelia. Our beautiful daughter, Sydney, is our last blessing still at
home, although our son, Domenic, visits periodically as he is a student
here at the U.
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 intraductal breast cancer in
September 2001. I underwent a mastectomy, eight chemotherapy
treatments, and six weeks of radiation. I was re-diagnosed with Stage
4 metastatic disease in August 2005. I have received a variety of
treatments since then.
I started taking photos on Mackinaw Island shortly after my
first diagnosis. Though I was physically limited by my illness, I found
photography to be a many faceted gift. First, I had a degree in
Interior Design, but was not well enough to work. This gave me the
creative outlet that I so missed. It called me to focus at a meditative
level, which quelled the fears of the future. I needed so badly to be
mindful of the moment and to wholly appreciate the little things in life
(which of course are not little at all). Taking these photographs gave
me a channel in which I could capture life at its simplest form and create
something beautiful to leave the world. It has truly given me a sense of
oneness with all living things.
The Voices Art Gallery was made
possible through a generous gift
by the FRIENDS of the
University Hospital.
The Art Therapy Program at the
Comprehensive Cancer Center is made
possible through donations from the
Robert Bruce Dunlap Memorial Fund,
and others.
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