Leisa Corbett Art Studio
Radiation Series

My late husband, Bill Corbett, thought posing for me was
boring so I could never draw him unless he was reading or
sleeping - until he was diagnosed with  cancer in 1994.

One day after we returned from home from a radiation
treatment, I asked him once more if he would pose. To my
amazement, he said, " Yes."
My hands trembled slightly as I set up the large pieces of
paper on the easel.  I didn't know if I was enough of an artist to
capture what I was seeing. He was stoic - exhausted and
resigned. I finished the four drawings quickly, fearing his
strength wouldn't hold out long enough to complete the work.

When I showed him the completed drawings, he looked at me
and said, "I didn't think you knew I was depressed."
My jaw dropped and no sound came out. How could I not
know?  I couldn't tell him I knew what he was going through
because I didn't. But I could see what was happening to him.

The drawings enabled us to talk more honestly about Bill's
cancer.  While he was always concerned about sparing me
grief, he no longer put on a cheery front to spare me.
"Radiation I" 1994  mixed media
22 x 33"
"Radiation II" 1994 mixed media
22 x 33"
"Radiation III" 1994 mixed media
22 x 33"
"Radiation IV" 1994 mixed media
22 x 33"