About | brianjkelley

Diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma in 2022, cancer treatment complications caused me to develop Type I diabetes and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. After a cancer recurrence in my lymph nodes in 2025, I continue to turn to making art as part of my coping practice.

The psychological impact of cancer is pervasive and relentless. Easily overwhelmed, sleep difficulties, irritability, anger, and ongoing memory issues, CR-PTSD is the body's natural reaction to trauma. Daily combinations of meditation, birding, therapy, nature, and the support of family and friends all help me to varying degrees on any given day. However, making art has become a central anchor in my treatment. If you would like to explore more of my experiences using art as therapy and as a mindfulness-adjacent approach, please visit me on Substack.

Most, if not all, of my art is biographical. Much of what I create today helps me process the trauma. Recently, I have been painting my ancestors from very old photographs.

None of this will cure cancer or diabetes, but the slow, deliberate process of making art helps me be present. The hand making the mark can only be in the now. My hand can't be in the past. My hand can't be in the future. My hand is my anchor.

To connect with me, you could send a nice note to artbybjk [at] gmail [dot] com.