Let's talk, shall we. I recently had an Art By Jaci Musec sponsored event, featuring the Through Infertility series. Perhaps it is a little silly to host my own event/art show this early in my art career but it was time to get the word out about this series, and share the stories, the paintings and my intentions for this project. So... let's start there. What is this all about?This series is a Collective Experience & Abstract Expression Representing Individual Unique Journeys… Through. Let's break it down... this is an exclusive opportunity for individuals who have/had or are experiencing infertility. It is a special experience of working with (me) the artist, to create an original one of a kind painting, that represents THEIR unique journey through infertility. How it works? Individuals provide detailed information in a series of questionnaires. (Providing as much information as they are willing.) I spend time reflecting on the experience. Then a 12 x 36* original- abstract- intuitive painting is rendered. 1 in 8 couples experience Infertility. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive. The idea for this project came to me while prepping for my first solo art exhibit. I was reflecting on the emotional healing power that making art had had on my own infertility journey and I wanted to be able to help other couples in similar situations. (Read about that show here ) So I put the call out on social media and spread the news via word of mouth... asking couples to participate. It was an experiment of sorts. Would people participate? Would I be able to actually do what I was setting out to do? Would it in fact be healing like I had experienced in my own art making? Five couples signed up. Five couples sent me their stories. Five times I read and read and cried. Each story impacted me. Each story was heartbreaking, hopeful, peppered with pain and uncertainty. I could, having walked my own journey, identify with so many expressed emotions. So many of their pivotal moments mirrored mine, and yet, we were all on completely different journeys. AND we were all at different places in our infertility paths. Each of these five painting have a very unique story to tell. So, here they are: There Will Be HopeThis couple connected with me while in the midst of their infertility journey. It was here, as they found themselves deep in the trenches, that this painting came to life. They have been struggling, trying and coping with diagnosis; managing fear and confusion and frustration and hopelessness for a while. In fact, they were on this journey for three years, unable to ovulate doctors had prescribed medications. Several months passed, as they watched their dreams and hopes slip farther out of reach, a miracle---they found themselves pregnant. What a joyful surprise it is to have a treatment finally work. However, after far too short of time, they experienced loss. The baby did not make it. Dread, devastation, and heartbreak. And yet, they had a renewed sense of hope. They moved forward with a more aggressive protocol. Setting parameters on how long and how much they would attempt before moving towards IVF. Now, as they cautiously hope for another miracle, they find themselves planning for what is next... treatment and the unknown factors of the life that lay before them. They have also begun work towards becoming foster parents. Currently they are in a season of active waiting. Always Meant To BeThis Couple’s story begins several years ago. They learned early on that having their own biological child would be an extremely long and uncertain journey. While this news was difficult to process, they knew that God had called them to explore other options; specifically adoption. They decided to end treatment and pursue adoption. In a fortunate turn of events they did not wait long. A birthmother choose them and the course of their lives changed the day they adopted their son. Several years have passed since the thick of their infertility journey and adoption story began, but they have spent these 4 years with a continued hope to grow as a family with another adoption miracle. They continue to wait. MissunderstoodThis couple’s story is particularly gripping for me as it centers on some of the negative emotions that are brought to surface in this journey. Physical pain, emotional pain, isolation, frustration, bitterness, jealousy, being misunderstood, hurting, longing, and loneliness to name a few. These are the words they used when describing their story. I connected with them in the midst of their infertility journey. After years of trying to conceive, they find themselves in the thick of the treatment. Dealing with pain and heartbreak of loss and months upon months of what is known as “charting”. Countless tears have been shed. They continue to hold onto the hope of one day seeing their dreams come true. Scars Of HeartThis couple’s infertility story is another that continues to unfold. They have been trying for over five years. After a diagnosis of PCOS, and several attempts with medication, a doctor suggested a weight loss surgery for the female to increase odds. Saying this was one of the hardest things she has ever faced, she no longer can eat normally and often struggles just to eat. After healing from surgery, they did in fact become pregnant. A miracle. Heartbreakingly, only 9 weeks into this pregnancy they lost the baby. Devastation and depression hit hard. They are working to heal and have begun to take steps to try again. Growing and GrievingThis couple’s infertility story is another unique look into the emotional challenges of infertility. After struggling to get pregnant and then finding out that they would have issues conceiving, they worked diligently on altering their lifestyle to optimize their chances before taking the next steps with treatment. With the greatest excitement they became successfully pregnant. However, in the midst of this joyful time, devastation took hold as it became clear that her mother would soon be leaving this earth. Focus continually shifted between worry and excitement for the growing baby―And heartbreak for the slow loss of her mother. The two experiences becoming so intermingled, and heavily affecting the emotional well being of this couple, that it took years to heal from the trauma. They couple later went on to go through treatment to conceive their second child. This project... it is so powerful. Not only did five couples participate. They all remarked on the experience as having valuable, powerful and HEALING effects on them. GUYS--- that was my intention the whole time. Here are some of the responses they emailed me after receiving my frequent updates or the final email. One participant couldn't wait, so she called me immediately after receiving the final email. IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!!! I'm in tears! It tells our story so well! Again, I am so honored to be a part of this. Omg Jaci...wow. I LOVE it. Seeing it finished has left me speechless. I don't think I'll ever be able to express what this painting means to me. I am so very grateful for you and this project. Thank you for this creation and for all your encouraging words along the way. Wow...your vision and how you connect and portray things! I am super excited to follow the development of this. Like silly excited! I'm speechless. I cried looking at the photos you sent. I love knowing that our story is literally the heart of this painting. --Again you leave me speechless. I am moved to tears looking at this painting. You managed to capture everything we've been feeling in one picture. I absolutely love it! -- This process has been so healing. It's given me time to reflect and really think. I've cried a lot this week- thanks to you and hormones!!! Thank you so much for everything!--I cried as soon as I saw the pictures. When I read that the textured circle is baby Shaw, I sobbed. I was not prepared for how this reveal affected me. This painting is absolutely perfect and we can never thank you enough for this amazing gift. Oh my gosh! Jaci! This is amazing!!!! I love the colors and I love how you interpreted that part of our lives like a shadow. I'm beyond pleased and honored about being a part of this! Also, I'm keeping all these emails to put in my scrapbook! As an emerging artist, it is amazing to be able to work on projects that are well received. And even more amazing to work on something with so much depth and heart. I thought for a time that maybe my work would only be deeply personal to me. This series taught me that there is a whole new level for my work, I am thrilled, inspired and so hopeful. So, I had the show... displaying these five paintings publicly. Now, these five paintings will go to live with their families. I hope that the paintings continue to bring healing, joy, hope and strength to these couples. And yet, this project... this series... it has only just begun. I have opened this up as a special commissioned art service. If you know someone who would benefit from an experience like this... tell them. If this project moves you... consider sponsoring a painting for a couple who may not be able to afford one. IF you are someone who would benefit from an experience like this... please take that first step. Email me... let's connect... YOUR STORY MATTERS! Read more or sign up for your own commissioned work here. The act of creating art became a powerful tool in shaping the person I am today.
-Jaci Musec
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October 2021
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