Cancer Survivor: Soothing with Art, Tea

Laura French believes that creating art has a way of healing the spirit as does drinking warm tea with like minded people who have had similar experiences. Combine the two and you get twice the benefit.

The Middletown native should know — she has had to battle cancer three times since she was 18 years old. Her passion for creating art has been the glue that held her together, and still does. But that was not enough for her. She is compelled to share her experiences and expertise with others so that they can find a way to heal by creating something beautiful.

Her story goes back to 1981, when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease shortly after graduating from high school. She explained that Hodgkin’s Disease is an environmental cancer, although that was not known at the time.

"After graduating from high school I got a great summer job at a wall paper corporation that designed and manufactured wall-coverings," French said. "During that time so many people got 'sick' and starting disappearing. I later found out they had cancer as well. I was treated successfully with radiation therapy at Riverview Medical Center, which would have been the same treatment I would have received at Sloan Kettering."

But French had not seen the end of cancer in her body. "About seven years ago, I had my thyroid removed as a result of the radiation I had received in 1981, which has been proven to cause second cancers," she said. "In October of 2010, I was diagnosed with lung cancer, also from the radiation therapy and second hand smoke and had my left lower lobe of my lung successfully removed at Memorial Sloan Kettering by using the VATS procedure. All data and the tissue is now a part of their study of people who had Hodgkin's Disease in the late 70's early 80's.”

Through it all, she developed her skills in painting with watercolor, a medium that challenges many artists. "Painting was a large part of my healing process," said French, "especially five years ago when I had life threatening blood clots in my right arm and pulmonary embolisms. I am so blessed to be here today and be able to paint and draw again as I had done previously."

French said she had water colored her way back to health by painting a 25 piece collection that she displayed at the Middletown Township Public Library. "I am currently working on a watercolor and acrylic collection to celebrate the defeat of my lung cancer, which I'd love to debut at the ," she said.

Her journey toward the MAC and her class "Relaxing Through the Arts" is one of overcoming illness, fear, pain and lost opportunities with grace and dignity all the while focusing on the beauty in her life and then sharing her gifts.

It is also remaining open to opportunities when they present themselves. She explained that it all came together when she saw a notice in the Guild of Creative Arts newsletter a number of years ago.

"There were two lines that changed my life forever," French said. "'Wanted: a cancer survivor/artist willing to speak and share their story at the annual American Cancer Society event, and Relay For Life, which was to be held at the Atlantic Club in Manasquan. I met with the then Director of the Booker Cancer Center, Kim Mazzei, and was chosen on the spot.

"I had made her cry in the process in telling her my story. From there, I created a mural encompassing the entire playroom of the Booker Cancer Center (at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank), and started doing art therapy for all the cancer groups at the same location."

During that time at the Riverview Medical Center Jane H. and John Marshall Booker Cancer Center in Red Bank, she developed her art therapy classes and donated her time teaching watercolor and offering her support to others. When the MAC opened in 2007, she was asked to teach her particular brand of watercolor instruction and supportive environment to painting students at the MAC.

”I am so happy and proud that I am able to help others and teach them the beauty of watercolor in a very unique setting of soothing music, one-on-one attention and a variety of hot teas," French said. "Even though I've never had the opportunity to get a college degree in this field, it is something that I know inside and out. 

"I learned from my life's experiences, the talented family I grew up with and the amazing artists I studied with like local artists Jane Lux and Sally Brandenberg. I am living my dream and cannot imagine doing anything else in my life, except perhaps to broaden and take this as far is it will go."

French’s talented family consists of her mother Carol Jankowski, who was a Middletown resident until about 25 years ago, when she moved to Florida where she continues to paint (watercolors, acrylics & oils) and does local art shows.

Her grandfather, Albert Peter Fedor, drew portraits in charcoal all his life and was also an accomplished violinist who played in restaurants during the dinner hour. Her step-grandfather, Francis Hughes, was a commercial artist in Pennsylvania who taught French and her brother, Larry Jankowski, how to draw.

In addition, she said, "We took art lessons together with Theodore Neidlinger for years. My brother is an artist, best known commercially for the Norman Rockwell mural of the three children playing marbles in Lakeland Regional Medical Hospital. I was in awe of Theodore Neidlinger and so was my little brother Larry. He was my first teacher and I loved him and his class."

French has two grown daughters who are also artistic and still live in Middletown. One, Lisa Marie French, is a graphic designer, baker and photographer. The other, Shannon Elizabeth French, is a photographer and jewelry designer.

There are about a dozen students in French's class right now. And they all think she is wonderful. They come to class from various backgrounds and levels of skill and for a variety of reasons, but they all find it a special place to de-stress and socialize.

Here’s what three of them had to say about their teacher:

Edna Seeley, who has lived in Belford for 52 years, said she never drew or painted, but she knew that if she ever did, she would love it. This is her second year in French’s watercolor class. "I know that I’m not very good, but I’m better than I ever thought I could be," Seely said. "Laura is wonderful. Because of her, I do things I could not do when I started."

She joked that she has her own paintings hanging in her house and when her kids walk by they laugh. "But as long as they get enjoyment out of them, I’m happy," she said.

Last week was Joan Devine’s first day in class. A Middletown resident for 13 years, she said she knew French through her children’s sporting events. "We would sit in the stands chatting," Devine said. "I was always interested in her stories about her classes. Now that I’m retired from teaching second and third graders, I can take Laura’s class."

She added that she was working on her first painting and getting pointers from the other class members as well as from French.

And Jenny Jerschkow, who has lived in Middletown for 33 years, has only been taking French’s class for two weeks. A retired lab technician, she said she did some watercolors twenty years ago. "I find the class to be relaxing and the teacher and students are very helpful," Jerschkow said. "I’m learning how to control the flow so that I can paint in a more watery style."

Many of the students have also battled and survived cancer. Familiar stories and struggles are shared in class, but they do not determine the mood of the cheerful room in which they paint.

And French loves bringing people together. "Art, learning, laughter, support and stories help define unique friendships and result in amazing artwork," she said, noting that "many of my students are also award-winning artists who showcase their work annually in the Middletown Arts Center's Amateur Art Show. Each year at least two students celebrate with ribbons and recognition. They all come out and support each other, too. It's such a thrill to be a part of the celebrations."

When French was teaching watercolor at the Booker Cancer Center, she encouraged her students to professionally frame their works and enter them in the Booker Center dedication ceremony. "They were a hit," she said. 'I was blown away by how much they had gained and how much it meant to them to be recognized in that way."

Ever since then, she has encouraged her students to show their work and she curates an annual art show just for her students at the MAC. "We celebrate their work and they often win ribbons for first or second place," she said. "They are usually so surprised when they win, but my students just blossom over time."

Along one wall of the painting room at the MAC she has set up a table with a tea pot and cookies and another table where soft music is playing.

"I do what I do from the heart because I’ve been there," French said.

The Middletown Arts Center's environment is a good fit for French and for the adult students seeking affordable, unique opportunities to explore, grow and learn through the arts.

Her classes run for 10-week sessions and are held Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m..

The Middletown Arts Center is located on 36 Church Street, near the train station. Class registration is $150 for MAC Members and $165 for non-members.

For more information, please contact the MAC at 732-706-4100 or visit www.middletownarts.org.