Blog #215  7/25/17

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society asked me to make and donate a portrait of Tamar Bolt who had been undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. As with many who undergo this treatment, Tamar had lost all her hair. The goal for the portrait was to show off her elegance, to show other young women that bald can be beautiful.

When Tamar arrived at my studio, we sat down in a quiet relaxed spot and had a warm conversation. She was a delightful woman who had already gone through months of difficult treatment with her cancer. With her lovely presence she was game to make the most of her “look.”

Any portrait can be a challenge, but I was particularly anxious about making hers since the battle with cancer can leave a person especially vulnerable to the probing eye of the camera.

My goal was to reveal who she was and what she had experienced, and yet still make an image that was true, approachable, even beautiful.

Sadly, Tamar did not survive her battle with cancer. Her family has dedicated their time to fund-raising and education. Every year they participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s nationwide Light The Night evening walk that celebrates and commemorates lives touched by cancer, and raises money for research.