Thursday, April 9, 2009

This is Janice's husband Jon. To be honest with you, I don't know if Janice would have ever started a blog of her own free will. She has always preferred to touch people either face to face or through her art. But the time has come to start this one, unfortunately, because of some very sad news. In April of this year, Janice was diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer. Her spirit, for those of you that know Janice, has never been stronger. But her body is having a tough time keeping up with her spirit right now.
I plan to use this blog as a way of keeping you all updated on her condition. But more importantly, this will be a way for all of you out there to share about all things Janice. That is something that I know will make her very happy.

25 comments:

  1. Nice to see/hear from you. Write on..

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  2. hi janice /trying to figure out how to blog with you. carole

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  3. To my dear friend Janice,
    What an inspiration you are to me!! You always encourage me to create & Reminding me to dig deeper into myself.

    For this wisdom, I am eternally grateful.
    Besos, Chela

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  4. Hi doll. Sending you big love everyday.
    Mr. Joseph

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  5. Hello, this is your friend and fellow student of life checking in from the North State. I just finished constructing a new compost tea brewer. IT has a vortex and everything.

    Warm Regards,

    Richard

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  6. Dear Janice - I was just looking at Rex and Theo's journals this morning (they were showing them to a friend). I have encouraged them to keep journals, and they were inspired to, ever since your first Journal show at the Muckenthaler Gallery. There have been many starts and stops and now they are in the groove of keeping them.
    Theo's is full of stories and thoughts and cartoons and mistakes and bloody stuff, funny, stuff, weird stuff, 9 year old stuff. Rex's is full of only the things he feels are "worthy". Anything he doesn't like he tears out and only his best gets to stay. (??? - makes me crazy) I encourage him to use the stuff he doesn't like to turn it into something else or just leave it as part of life the way it is. Anyway, he has some pretty great stuff in there, and I guess the important thing is they are who they are and they are expressing themselves. And it would not be happening without the inspiration from you. We LOVE your art and we love you.
    Marcia & Gibson, Rex and Theo

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  7. Hi Janice, I'm new to the news. Quite stunned and concerned. When I last saw you at the little place that Peanut was playing in Santa Ana I had no idea. Was heading off to Germany on a project just a couple days after that and needed to get back home so I didn't stay long. Looking forward to the next opportunity to see you. Good thoughts and prayers for you.

    Like the shot of you here - looks like the Forbidden City in Bejing. When did you guys go? I was there a couple of times. Amazing place. Will check in on the blog. Liz has been writing a blog under her pen name, elizabethbradleyfiction.blogspot.com - She has been posting micro fiction pieces and thoughts. You might enjoy it.

    Take good care
    Brad Hood

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  8. Hi Janice, Nancy and I have been wondering why we hadn't seen you around the lofts in awhile. We were both devastated to hear why we hadn't seen you. Both of our hearts and thoughts are with you, please come back soon, we miss seeing you and Ratzo around the lofts. If there is anything we can do please do not hesitate to call on us. Your neighbors across the courtyard. Jim and Nancy

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  9. Hi Janice and Jon: Thank you for starting the blog. I'm a believer in kindrid spirits. And both of you were those for me from the moment I met you. Janice's art made such an impresssion on me the first time I saw it. I remember paging though the notebook she was working on at the time. It was a wonder. Much like the rest of the work on the Web site. So, for starters, thanks for sharing your art with the world Janice. Amy and I are both sending love to you from the Midwest.

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  10. Janice and Jon:

    If you add up the time the four of us have spent together, the total wouldn't really be more than a few hours. But we feel like we've known you guys forever. We've shopped for kitsch together in NYC. We've tipped tequila in Sedona and downed Jameson's in Ireland. And we've watched Janice risk life and limb as she collected native water from a mountain stream in Mont Tremblant, among other places. A lot of very good vibes got stored up during those experiences, and we're beaming them all toward you right now - along with all our love.

    Joe & Marilynn

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  11. Hi Janice,

    Your DGWB family is praying and asking about you all the time. Your artwork lining the halls is an insperation to us all.

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  12. dear janice and john: thank you for the blog so i can, even at a distance,feel close to both of you. janice, my sparkle, i miss you. pete is stunned by your strength john..you are an inspiration to him. janice,
    the blessed mother mary has her "eye" on you....love carole

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  13. Janice & Jon: We love you - you are always in our thoughts. See you soon! Monica & Kevin

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  14. Janis & Jon

    You are in our hearts and I know that with determination, love and strength you can win this battle. Janis-you are truely a gift, and always an huge inspiration to everyone. Positive thoughts and prayers are with you...We love you!
    Scooter, eric, Alyssa & Evan

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  15. Hi Janice & Jon,
    Remembering our time in Mexico City and how quickly you turned the little bird show in the restaurant into an art piece. you are in our hearts and minds, the doziers

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  16. Dear Janice,
    Little Christian and I were so happy to catch a glimpse of you out on your deck at the loft this week. He misses seeing you and in his words, the "...DOGGIE! DOGGIE-DOGGIE!!".

    I am continually stunned at the simultaneous miracle and villany at work in the human body. We hope that your strength and energy continue to improve as you battle the disease so that you may return to your family and your work full time very soon.

    Your Neighbors,
    Ben, Amber, Christian and baby Lucas Alexander

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  17. Janice! It's Liz, Brad gave me the news about your blog. Welcome to the bloggy world! I was so saddened to hear that you're sick. In an effort to offer encouragement I'll tell you about my aunt, she was diagnosed with liver cancer a couple of years ago and is now cancer free. She's a small woman like you, around the same age, and very strong-willed. I pray for such an outcome for you as well.

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  18. Dear Janice. I was so happy to get the link to your blog today. I have been thinking of you so often as I wonder how you are doing both in body and in spirit. Having had the opportunity to be with you, or you and Jon at those random times always left a huge mark on me. It was kind of like going along being just normal (that is a joke) and then suddenly realizing that I was feeling excited just by talking with you...heck, just by being in the same space with you. I think you have that energizing affect on people. You are so honest, willing to share, always looking ahead at possibilities, yet grounded in the moment. I liked the feeling that my experiences with you gave me. You always left me with more than what I came with...and in a big way. I don't know if it would ever be possible but, I would love to come for a visit. Another conversation, even if just for a small bit of time would be the best. Love, Susan Fleming-(Urie) XO

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  19. dear janice- i am new to the news. my heart and thoughts are with you and your family. will keep you on my prayers daily. look forward to your full recovery and returning to work in your studio very soon.

    your neighbor crystal.

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  20. Dear Janice: We have had so many happy Amin adventures around the world with you and Jon. Every time we were enthralled to see things through your eyes. I remember you collecting little vials of water, sugar packets in France, fabric designs--all kinds of things that we would not have noticed without you. Our thoughts are with you during this struggle--I know it is a long hard road. Love from Meg and Bill

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  21. janice, you're the only person i know who's ever successfully returned an opened CD, not because it was defective, but because it wasn't the one you wanted. you're an ass-kicker! i'd be lying if i said i wasn't worried, but i know that you don't take "no" for an answer.

    jon, your strength is amazing. please remember to take care of yourself, too.

    i love you both so much; you're a blessing in my life. hope to see y'all tomorrow. xoxoxoxoxoxox caitlin

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  22. Janice, wishing you many blessings on this road you are traveling. My prayers are with you. Patrick Smith

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  23. Kids,

    It took me a long while before I could even say "cancer" in the first person. In social settings it is still obvious that some are uncomfortable hearing the word when applied to the human condition. On occasion I share a tale or two regarding the dance we do/have done with cancer.

    The surgery, the scars, the drugs, the side effects, the prayer, the love.

    Sincerely,

    Richard

    P. S. Seriously, have you seen the new brewer? :)
    http://gallery.me.com/tzaddi#100687

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  24. you are beautiful, so is your life, work, children, family, husband, grandchildren, soul, body, everything. thank you for giving my best friend her true love Kevin, her children Nigel, Savannah and Ashton... you made it possible!

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  25. hello. i have long admired janice's very glorious artwork when i found it at the art bar. i had heard of her through nicole and other folks and dreamed of meeting her one day. i am a cancer surivor. i am an artist. i am a girl who is praying for you all and lifting you up with love in my heart, joy for janice and her beautiful life, and sending light.

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