- April 28, 2024
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As she sat in her backyard, basking in the afternoon sun, Linda Solomon reflected on the many communities she is part of and how those communities have come together to support her in her time of need.
The last two months have been a whirlwind for the Palm Coast painter. In January, Solomon was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer.
“When you get the sentence, it’s like a death sentence and it’s going through the moodiness and the sadness and the loss in my head,” Solomon said.
At the time of diagnosis, the cancer had already spread.
“It was very scary,” Solomon said.
But now, she is seven chemotherapy treatments in to a nine-treatment cycle and says she is feeling better; her energy is coming back.
“I haven’t been painting since the diagnosis,” Solomon said. “I know I should be writing about it — but I am better at painting. I’m seeing the gifts and the beauty and the love in the moment — appreciating it so much more and realizing it is what it is.”
While her paints stay closed up and canvases stored away, one of Solomon’s paintings is making its way around the county.
“Ocean of Life” is part of a series of ocean sunrise paintings Solomon was working on before the diagnosis, each piece incorporating some actual sand in the paint. It represents the healing waters of Flagler Beach, she says, and the energy of the sunrise.
“That ocean in Flagler Beach really is the ocean of life,” Solomon said. “People came and put their feet in this water, the healing waters.”
The painting made its first appearance March 6 at the Hollingsworth Gallery opening, then traveled to the Flagler Fine Arts Festival March 16. Now, the painting is on display at Le Cose Belle, where it will be part of a one-woman show opening April 11 in Solomon’s honor and a Celebration of Linda on April 13.
The art community is rallying together to help Solomon with the cost of her medical bills and treatment by selling raffle tickets for the “Ocean of Life.” Tickets are available for purchase at Le Cose Belle, and the winning ticket will be drawn at the April 27 Flagler Fine Arts Festival.
“Wow, it’s just wow,” Solomon said in response to what the art community is doing. “I feel very supported and very good.”
For Flagler Fine Arts Festival coordinator Justine Wintersmith, the raffle is a way to support an artist who has supported the festival since the beginning.
“She is just a shining light,” Wintersmith said. “She’s a great person, and her personality just shines through her work. Part of the reason why everyone really is pulling together to rally around her is that light. She really does try to be an example, the type of peaceful people she wants to see in the world.”
When Solomon does start painting again, she said there will be some changes; new colors to express healing, a sense of gratitude and allowing the spirit to flow through her more and onto the canvas.
“When you are given a diagnosis like this, you really start re-evaluating your life,” Solomon said. “There is a stopping. You pause. Now I’m taking so much more time to appreciate and be. I want to paint the beautiful things, but I’m painting them in my mind and in my heart right now.
“I just want to be in a positive space and just appreciate the green grass. I care and I love; I don’t want to fight anymore. I just have to give the message of peace and love — that other stuff doesn’t feed me — because it makes me happy.”
Raffle Tickets
Price: $10
Where: Available at Le Cose Belle, 5915 N. Oceanshore Blvd., all month and the April 27 Flagler Fine Arts Festival in Flagler Beach
When: Winning ticket drawn April 27
