Eileen Cashbaugh first found herself in West Clinic in 2000, staring at the antiseptic walls of treatment rooms as she assisted her mother in her battle with lung cancer. Four years later, she stared at the walls again, after finding a lump in her breast that sent her on a journey through lumpectomy, recurrence and double mastectomy. But this time, she noticed the more comforting, colorful walls full of art created by cancer patients in the waiting area, known as the Wings Gallery.

“I was thinking maybe I could do that. Maybe I could paint and have a painting there. Within a year, I had a painting in that gallery, and I was delighted and surprised I could paint something someone else would enjoy,” Cashbaugh said. In 2005, she began art classes as a stress reliever to cope with the aftermath of radical surgery and treatment. In her quest to relieve anxiety, she found a hobby in acrylics and oils that transformed into a passion and then into a career. This outlet helped her face her darkest fears.

“After cancer, there is the constant worry of recurrence, and it can take over your entire life. For me, the single most therapeutic thing I did was start painting. It occupied my mind both in front of and away from the canvas,” she said.

Cashbaugh was a nurse in both clinical and administrative settings before the cancer. She had been a nurse since 1976 as she and her husband traveled the country with his military career. Married 30 years to a Navy pilot, Cashbaugh has lived in Florida, California, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., and many other places. A Memphian for 10 years, she said this is where she has lived the longest in her married life. Her husband, now retired, works as a civilian for the Department of the Navy.

Her nursing career probably did not help her anxiety about cancer, for back in the 70s and 80s when she was a medical-surgical nurse, the treatments were harsher. The surgery was more mutilating and the chances for survival were not as good. While Cashbaugh’s mother lived with her during her treatment and West Clinic, she was able to see all the advances in cancer care. There were anti-nausea drugs, and there were many more options. Treatments were less invasive.

Self-described as someone prone to anxiety, Cashbaugh used humor to soften the rough edges of her experience and release stress. Her outlook and personality comes through in her art.

“She has a quirky side–a unique sense of humor,” said Sally Hensley, L.C.S.W., programs coordinator for WINGs, who has known her for many years as a co-worker, artist and friend. “She is bright, creative and above all authentic. She is the real deal.”

Chosen 2009 Artist of the Year at the WINGs gallery, Cashbaugh’s winning painting (and our cover art) is titled “Jugularity,” a play on the word “jocularity.” The work is an interesting fusion of whimsical and medical, as a phrenology chart sections the chemo-induced bald head of the subject and a hand suspiciously looking like an X-ray holds a flower and flanks the words “Ha, ha, ha.” A long throat, jugular exposed (cancer goes for the jugular, Cashbaugh explains) is “tattooed” with the words “Take time to laugh—it is the music of the soul.” Highlighted sections of the phrenology chart are hope and mirthfulness, which the artist said “are always cancer cures for me.” She painted it on one of the anniversaries of her diagnosis.

While exhibited artists at the Wings Gallery go through a submission process and review by committee, selection of Artist of the Year is a more informal process withstaff looking for certain qualities, said Sarah Blackburn, development manager and Wings Gallery curator. 

“We really get to know the artist while they are here going through treatment. Eileen was here going through our support groups and we just love her. We are looking for cheerful and hopeful work,” she said. “We knew how she was using art to help her through her treatments. She gets it. She understands the mission of Wings. She understands the benefits of art to the patient.”

Now active in the Women with Wings Cancer Survivors group, Cashbaugh notes a new resilience in her spirit. If she had not gotten cancer, she would never have painted, she said.

“Cancer gave me a new attitude,” she said. “It helped me express myself without setting limits or feeling self-conscious, because I had nothing to lose. There was some benefit out of getting cancer.”

She has also found a new career from her cancer experience. She is one of the “Artists in Residence” at the Memphis Botanic Garden under the instruction of Marilyn Wannamaker. Cashbaugh’s work also has been displayed in group shows at the Gardens and the Wings Gallery.

Wings Cancer Foundation 

Created in 1996 as a place to provide hope, research, education and support without charge to anyone touched by cancer, Wings Cancer Foundation seeks to empower cancer patients so they can take an active part in their treatment and recovery.

Located at the West Clinic, the Foundation receives the benefit of space donated by its landlord.

“They give us space, they let us use their utilities, phone systems, internet…and that way we are right here with patients while they are receiving treatment. And funds are freed up to go to patient programs because we don’t have all the overhead,” said Sarah Blackburn, development manager and Wings Gallery curator for Wings Cancer Foundation.

“It is the best gift.”

However, patients do not need to come from the West Clinic to be served by Wings Cancer  Foundation. Men and women from all hospitals and clinics have access to the Foundation’s offerings, which help an estimated 50,000 people each year.

Some of these programs include:

• Individual, family and group counseling led by licensed clinical social workers and professional facilitators

• A lending library of educational and inspirational material

• A labyrinth garden for introspection

• Exercise, yoga and tai chi classes for patients to slowly rebuild strength

• Boutique for wigs, hats and scarves

• Free or low cost mastectomy prosthesis and supplies

• Nutrition counseling by a registered dietitian with training in oncology

• Crisis intervention

• Hospital visitation

• Clinical research

• Partnering program linking newly diagnosed patients to long-term cancer survivors

• Volunteer program of 250 cancer survivors and friends

• Wings Gallery displaying work of artists touched by cancer

The Wings Gallery became a reality in 2000, when Wings was recognized by Healing Environments, a nonprofit organization in California, for their ongoing efforts. The organization came to Memphis and brought art and antiques to be placed throughout the building. It was at that time, Wings took it a step further and began the Wings Gallery, asking for submissions from patients.

“I was really excited about it,” said Blackburn. “My degree is in fine arts. My cousin was working at the David Lusk gallery at the time and she helped me put up gallery molding and rods and everything we needed to develop this great space.”

Works are rotated out every six weeks and there is no lack of submissions. Currently, the Wings Gallery is booked until the end of 2010. Prospective artists fill out a form detailing how art has helped them through their experience with cancer.  A committee comprised of staff and board members review the forms and creative submissions, selecting pieces that are hopeful and cheerful.

Art also plays an important role in healing through Wings Cancer Foundation’s art therapy program. The Foundation sent their 2008 Artist of the Year, Karen Sudduth, to New York to an artist-in-residence program to learn about bringing art into health care settings. As a Wings volunteer, Sudduth created an “art cart,” cheerfully decorated and filled with small projects to give patients something therapeutic and positive on which to focus while receiving treatment. The art cart has become a means of conversation and connection.

“Chemo kills to bring us back to life. I want other people to have the chance to create something to take home,” Sudduth said.•

by Ginger Porter