“Snowy Garden”, acrylic on canvas framed in gold.
With October being breast cancer awareness month, we were overjoyed to have the talented local artist and cancer survivor, Abby Feinknopf, join us this quarter for Art at Argo’s. I was uplifted the first time I was introduced to her work. Abby, a survivor of breast cancer, turned to painting just after she was diagnosed. The act of making art every day and the power of bold, vibrant colors is what helped her through it. She now strives to encourage and empower others with her work. Her exhibit at Argo & Lehne is as cheerful and bright as her personality and positive outlook.
We introduce you to her Art at Argo’s Exhibit: “The Power of Color” July 29 – Oct 25. In addition, we will have an Art Opening on Thursday, August 15th from 5-7 pm. You will have an opportunity to meet Abby in person to discuss her work and her encouraging story of healing through art.
More About Abby
Abby is one of those people who really can get your creative juices flowing. She is full of energy and a true “go-getter”. She grew up in West Virginia and moved to Columbus to attend college at Capital University. She later returned to West Virginia to care for her mother while attending WV University where she received a degree in English. She returned to Columbus for better job opportunities. It was upon her return that she met her husband, Brad, and also began her freelance writing career as well as working for a marketing and architectural firm. Shortly thereafter she had her first son and would stay home raising her two boys.
Although not formally trained in the arts, Abby has always considered herself to be a creative type. She once created an adorable storybook for her friend’s child. It was made of baby-safe fabric and was 100% washable. She had such success with the project that she created a business selling these books for 6 years! I’ve seen photos of the books and they were fabulous. Abby took two passions: writing & textiles and created a wonderful product and business. This is what Abby seems to do best, she takes her passions and creatively shares them with the community in bold and bright colors.
Turning Gray Skies to Cheerful Rays of Healing
While preparing to move her eldest son off to college, Abby received a phone call that would change her life. It was the nurse explaining that they needed to discuss her recent mammogram. Fast forward to March of 2016 and Abby came out of radiation to face Columbus’ gray skies and an overwhelming feeling. She pushed the sewing machine away and began to paint and paint and paint. She used the brightest of colors and covered the canvas with works that expressed the light at the end of surviving cancer. A very powerful piece is her painting called, “Bald is Beautiful”. This painting illustrates a colorful and peaceful woman constructed of a body made of prescription bottle labels and a glorious cheerful crown of flowers. Her husband began to share her work with his clients and the reaction was so positive. She began to exhibit her work throughout Columbus beginning with the Ohio State Fair and has since been seen at many galleries around town and even has greeting cards at the Columbus Museum of Art.
Through her own healing process, painting and color has changed her outlook. She believes that color can change your mindset and make one bounce back faster from whatever is ailing them. She has taken back her life by putting more importance on self and her art. For Abby, this has been a time to schedule studio space to just paint. She selects the colors she is feeling that morning and just begins. The result is always bright. What many don’t know is she begins with a dark canvas of tan or gray and then adds color from there. It seems a positive attitude can easily wash the gray canvas away and leave her in a better place. What gives her the most satisfaction is hearing how her paintings have helped others heal. One of her favorite comments is, “I look at the painting every morning before I start my day,” but a simple, “Your work makes me happy,” also keeps Abby moving forward in her art. Abby hopes to sell her work with other products in the near future, she has been looking at taking a few of her trademarked pieces and creating anything from stationary to scarves or even a water bottle cancer patients can tote with them to chemotherapy.
Paintings for a Purpose
We have connected with Pink Ribbon Girls, a nonprofit organization, founded by breast cancer survivors who have a passion for supporting and empowering others who are fighting breast and gynecological cancers. For every painting purchased we will donate 20% of the purchase price to their cause. Pink Ribbon Girls strives to balance the fear and uncertainty that breast and gynecological cancers bring to individuals and families by providing FREE direct services of healthy meals, housecleaning, rides to treatment, and peer support to their clients throughout their regions, to ensure that “No One Travels This Road Alone…™”
Abby Around Columbus
Argo & Lehne Jewelers • July 29 – October 25 • “The Power of Color”. To preview the paintings in the exhibit, visit our current Art at Argo’s site.
Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, • October 1-December 31st
Abby also has greeting cards available for purchase and can be found at the gift shop at The Columbus Museum of Art, Paper Daisy Flower Boutique in the Short North and Urban Emporium in Bexley.
The Paper Daisy Flower Boutique, 14 E. Hubbard Avenue, 43215 (Short North), for the Short North “Sunday Bazarre”, August 18th, 11 am-4pm.
To keep up to date with Abby’s activities, visit her website where you can also see a gallery of all of her work.
Follow Abby Feinkopf through social media below.
