Betsy Braun-Kernaghan

 Two Time Art Party Participant

Beacon of Light

Artist’s Website

www.frpart.org

Artist’s Statement

I’ve always loved art and used it as an escape when I was young. I came back to art six years ago, not just to escape but to heal my body, mind and spirit. I was going through treatments for breast cancer and a divorce. In April 2015 I was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease, Elhers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). My body doesn’t produce collagen, the body’s glue. It explains my 23 surgeries in just the last six years, including major fusions in both hands. Today, I’m cancer free and divorced! I couldn’t have done it without the love and support from my art family at FRPart.org.

The pieces I’ve already created will be my last. Each of my pieces have taken many hours of layers, taking weeks or months to complete. I’ve made each one by hand, with love, compassion and gratitude. Each piece brings me great joy and peace, as I hope it will for you also!

About the Artist

I was born in Inglewood, California. as the first native Californian from my Mid-West family. I moved to NorCal on a volleyball scholarship to Menlo College; graduated an All-American/Scholar Athlete with a BA in mrkt/mngmt. I also have a Master’s from Santa Clara University (MFT). I currently live in Santa Clara, California, with my 16-year-old twin girls. ”