A Work-In-Progress

by Faith Wheeler, cpsa

This past summer, I received the news that no one wants to get, “you have cancer.” It was found on a routine colonoscopy and it began a several month journey. Cancer is never planned for but the treatments for eradicating it put you in a work-in-progress status. After all the scans, procedures, radiation and chemo, there's still some of the tumor there. So, I will be having surgery soon and I look forward to having many more years to create all the ideas I have floating in my mind and in my sketchbooks for future pieces.

Portrait of Lumix, commissioned by the owner, 2025.

It's hard to stay motivated when your body is not working at its best. Just before I started my radiation treatments, I had a request for a pet portrait. I let my friend know what was happening and that I didn't know what affect the treatment would have on my ability to work. She was understanding and very patient with giving me an extended timeline to get it to her. During the same time, I wanted to create a piece to submit as a second entry in the CPSA International Juried show. I found that having goals such as a timeline or competition to enter helped to keep my motivated to stay on task.

“It's hard to stay motivated
when your body is not working at its best.”

I sometimes get slightly stuck and lose my concentration on a piece. I find I tend to work on two pieces at a time that are totally different from each other. It gives me time to step back from a piece so that I can come back with fresh eyes. Going back and forth on two pieces helped me to not get bored.

Catty Corner, from my reference photo, 2025.

On my treatment weeks with chemo, I didn't have the energy or desire to get anything done. On those weeks I read a lot (when my eyes were able to focus), and I took advantage of the luxury of naps. On my off weeks when I would start to feel stronger, have more energy, and my brain wasn't so cloudy, I would put some time in on the portrait.  On the days when I just wasn't feeling it with the portrait, I would work on the second piece. Even if it was just a few strokes of the pencil in a small area, it realized that it still got me further along on the pieces with a sense of accomplishment.

On the days when my eyes wouldn't focus, or I didn't have a steady hand, there were artsy things that I could still do. I would go through my photo files for picture ideas for future projects. Sitting in front of the TV, I could still have my sketchbook with me to jot down ideas or make thumbnail sketches. 

Divan Diva, last major portrait done in 2023.

Sometimes just coloring in a book where I didn't have to think about the project but just enjoy playing with colors was good. And there were always art books and magazines to look through.

I did make both of my deadlines with time to spare. The owners of the pup were really pleased with how his portrait turned out and plan to hang it in their new home next month. I also made the deadline for the entry into the juried show for the CPSA. I even had time to make our yearly Christmas card during the break I had between radiation and the start of chemotherapy. 

So as my next piece is a work-in-progress on my drawing board, and I await the surgery that is the next step in my cancer journey, I am blessed to have a husband who helped with the different household chores while taking care of our dogs, as well as taking care of me while I'm in my work-in-progress status.

FAITH WHEELER:

Faith Wheeler has preferred pencils over paint since childhood. A graduate of Florida State University with a BA in Studio Art, she worked for many years in graphic design and illustration. She is a signature member of the CPSA and has won many awards and has been published. Her home is in South Carolina with her husband and dogs.