Beauty From Ashes:Ellie and Kylene

Artist: Alison Rash Patrons: Deb & Tom Cabela and White Law Office, P.C., L.L.O.

Beauty from Ashes is a series I've been working on for a while. I've been thinking a lot about how we all have ashes. We all have pain. And big or small, there is beauty in us helping each other through the pain. When we experience trauma or loss, there is often something beautiful that is revealed. Maybe something we wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

Each painting has a specific person's name at the end. Someone who has touched me personally. Someone who has overcome loss.

When I started these paintings, I found that they demanded more of me than the previous series. They asked me to DO something with them after removing the vinyl. It is kind of like they've been asking, So now what are you going to do with this? With this story?" They remind me of a pile of rainbows. A pile of promises. Finding beauty in ashes.

Beauty from Ashes: Ellie and Kylene is inspired by two of my heroes. Both cancer survivors. Both remarkable women. Ellie's bravery and courage after receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis and prognosis and her persistence and determination to continue to fight seven years later (after initially being told she had ten to twelve months) can be an inspiration to each of us. Never give up. Take things one step at a time. Keep going. Kylene's generosity and belief gave me a chance in my own cancer battle that otherwise would not have been possible. Giving to another without a second thought. Something for each of us to emulate. Beauty. So much beauty from ashes.