Laura McCullough and Lindsay Patton
The Story
Laura McCullough
Rochester Hills, MI
Social Media: @lauraruth.mcc
Triple negative breast cancer survivor (stage 1, grade 3)
Twist on Cancer: Cancer is one of life's great showstoppers. Life as I knew it stopped the moment we got my Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis. All focus immediately turned to this new fight—for me, for my husband, my kiddos, friends and family, even my dogs. Early on, I wrote about lessons I'm learning, and I've tried to keep it in mind throughout my healing journey: Crisis happens; It can take a minute to find your fight; Once you know, you do what's necessary; All will, one way or another, be well. My journey is deeply spiritual and is fully intertwined with my mental health struggles, namely anxiety and depression. The further I get in, the more tired I am—but I'm doing my best to give myself grace, time and space to heal well. It's not easy, but it's the human story and one I want to learn to tell. Going through the Brushes with Cancer program has been an absolute gift. Not only have I been able to process through my story, I've been reminded how beautiful every story is. My Artist match, Lindsay, and I have connected over our shared experience of living life in all its glorious messiness. It’s been a practice in courage to apply for the program, put myself out there in meeting a beautiful new friend, and ultimately reengage with life on a level I lost due to illness. It is a truly humbling honor to participate, and I’m so grateful for this life-enhancing program.
Social Media: @lauraruth.mcc
Triple negative breast cancer survivor (stage 1, grade 3)
Twist on Cancer: Cancer is one of life's great showstoppers. Life as I knew it stopped the moment we got my Triple Negative Breast Cancer diagnosis. All focus immediately turned to this new fight—for me, for my husband, my kiddos, friends and family, even my dogs. Early on, I wrote about lessons I'm learning, and I've tried to keep it in mind throughout my healing journey: Crisis happens; It can take a minute to find your fight; Once you know, you do what's necessary; All will, one way or another, be well. My journey is deeply spiritual and is fully intertwined with my mental health struggles, namely anxiety and depression. The further I get in, the more tired I am—but I'm doing my best to give myself grace, time and space to heal well. It's not easy, but it's the human story and one I want to learn to tell. Going through the Brushes with Cancer program has been an absolute gift. Not only have I been able to process through my story, I've been reminded how beautiful every story is. My Artist match, Lindsay, and I have connected over our shared experience of living life in all its glorious messiness. It’s been a practice in courage to apply for the program, put myself out there in meeting a beautiful new friend, and ultimately reengage with life on a level I lost due to illness. It is a truly humbling honor to participate, and I’m so grateful for this life-enhancing program.
Lindsay Patton
Grand Rapids, MI
Social Media: @pattonlindsay
“Good Meme-ories”
Acrylic paint and black pen
Dimensions: 11” x 17”
$600
Frame Created by Brad Young
Artist statement: Before I spoke with Laura, I read her blog twice. As a fellow professional writer, Laura’s blog was an appropriate introduction—it helped me understand her journey and personality better, making me feel a level of preparedness going into our first conversation.
It was her blog, “12 for the Win!” that helped me understand Laura best. In it, she shared the importance of celebrating milestones, acknowledged that cancer is hard and that it’s OK to cry. She also gushed about her beautiful family and how memes are more therapeutic than you’d think.
I got an up-close look at Laura’s relationship with memes when we connected on social media, a tool Laura wields for good. Through apps like Instagram, Laura has curated a joyful experience for herself in the accounts she follows and the content she engages with. I often giggle when viewing her Instagram Stories, grateful I can share a little piece of her online sanctuary with her.
Being a professional social media strategist and a very online person in general, memes are a language I speak fluently. The idea struck me early on: I wanted to curate a ton of little paintings, turning Laura’s life into happy memes.
“Good Meme-ories” is a real-life sanctuary that mirrors Laura’s digital sanctuary. I used our conversations, Laura’s social media presence and her blog to search for symbols to turn into meme-sized paintings. Once I was finished with the paintings—which include her family, faith and a lot of things that make her laugh—I arranged them into a physical, large-scale Instagram grid, based on aesthetics I use with my social media clients.
The cherry on top that makes the piece extra special is the custom frame made by Brad Young, a fellow Brushes with Cancer Artist and supporter. I worked with Brad on the concept of creating a frame shaped like a phone, strengthening the piece’s message and overall impact. A huge thank you goes out to Brad, as well as Nicole LaRae, Emma Kat Richardson, Carl Sobel and Jessica Zanikos for helping my big ideas come to life.
Social Media: @pattonlindsay
“Good Meme-ories”
Acrylic paint and black pen
Dimensions: 11” x 17”
$600
Frame Created by Brad Young
Artist statement: Before I spoke with Laura, I read her blog twice. As a fellow professional writer, Laura’s blog was an appropriate introduction—it helped me understand her journey and personality better, making me feel a level of preparedness going into our first conversation.
It was her blog, “12 for the Win!” that helped me understand Laura best. In it, she shared the importance of celebrating milestones, acknowledged that cancer is hard and that it’s OK to cry. She also gushed about her beautiful family and how memes are more therapeutic than you’d think.
I got an up-close look at Laura’s relationship with memes when we connected on social media, a tool Laura wields for good. Through apps like Instagram, Laura has curated a joyful experience for herself in the accounts she follows and the content she engages with. I often giggle when viewing her Instagram Stories, grateful I can share a little piece of her online sanctuary with her.
Being a professional social media strategist and a very online person in general, memes are a language I speak fluently. The idea struck me early on: I wanted to curate a ton of little paintings, turning Laura’s life into happy memes.
“Good Meme-ories” is a real-life sanctuary that mirrors Laura’s digital sanctuary. I used our conversations, Laura’s social media presence and her blog to search for symbols to turn into meme-sized paintings. Once I was finished with the paintings—which include her family, faith and a lot of things that make her laugh—I arranged them into a physical, large-scale Instagram grid, based on aesthetics I use with my social media clients.
The cherry on top that makes the piece extra special is the custom frame made by Brad Young, a fellow Brushes with Cancer Artist and supporter. I worked with Brad on the concept of creating a frame shaped like a phone, strengthening the piece’s message and overall impact. A huge thank you goes out to Brad, as well as Nicole LaRae, Emma Kat Richardson, Carl Sobel and Jessica Zanikos for helping my big ideas come to life.