Creating Art To Heal and Inspire
Elbert Hubbard once said, “Art is not a thing. It is a way.” From an early age, Phyllis chose art as the easiest way to express herself.
“When I was little, the best gift I could get was a pencil and a piece of typing paper,” she said. “If I had to explain something, it was always easier to draw it.”
Drawing often connects with Phyllis’ second love: people. Though Phyllis retired from full-time teaching in 2017, she still works with students, writing and teaching worship at St. Paul School of Theology. Phyllis holds a doctorate in pastoral counseling, and throughout her career she has created art that inspires and heals.
After her friend, Shonda, lost her son, Phyllis drew a portrait of Shonda’s kids. In it, her daughter, Quinn, sits next to her brother, her head on his shoulder.
“I just like to be with the people I love,” Phyllis said. “Even though I don’t have a lot of stamina, I can do most things I want, like painting and drawing. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Phyllis has spent years with breathing challenges, which became worse after she experienced a heart attack in 2017. And though her heart began to heal, her breathing only worsened.
“I could hardly go minutes without wheezing and coughing,” she said. “I was having real difficulties.”
Doctors at National Jewish Hospital tried various treatment as they searched for the source of her breathing struggles. In 2020, they diagnosed her with cystic fibrosis and encouraged her to apply for The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Cystic Fibrosis Copay Assistance Program to assist with the cost of treatment.
“If it had not been for TAF, I never would have started my treatment,” she said. “It was very expensive.”
TAF’s program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for all prescribed FDA-approved treatment for the disease, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. It took just minutes for Phyllis to apply.
“All of a sudden, I wasn’t on a five-year plan anymore,” she said. “I could do things and plan for the future.”
Previous treatment left Phyllis with a host of side effects. But since beginning her new treatment two years ago, Phyllis said her cough has significantly improved and her life has experienced a “turnaround.”
“This new treatment, my gosh, what a difference,” Phyllis said.
In 2021, Phyllis heard about TAF’s Kaleidoscope of Life Art Contest. She submitted a picture of her grandson, Marcus, and his dog Zeus, from when Marcus was eight.
“He really loves Zeus,” she said. “One day, Marcus asked, ‘Would you ever draw me?’ So, this picture became his Christmas present.”
Phyllis said she didn’t want to do a typical “head and shoulder shot” because it wasn’t reflective of her grandson’s personality.
“That’s not who he is,” Phyllis said. “He’s just ornery and fun. I tried to capture just a tad of that orneriness.”
During the pandemic, Phyllis continued to paint, write, and teach. Thanks to Zoom, she taught worship courses and worked on a new book about the Beatitudes. She recently expanded her artistic talents, too, taking a course on watercolors.
“I just branched out,” Phyllis said. “I’d never tried that before, but I really enjoy it.”
Phyllis is committed to taking things one day at a time. She credits TAF with helping her breathe easier, both figuratively and literally.
“I so appreciate the people at TAF,” Phyllis said. “No one could have been more supportive, kind, and encouraging.”
