Ontario, Canada

mixed media on paper

12 inches long x 16 inches wide

This is a portrait of my partner Harold. For many years before his death Harold would have to take infusions every few hours. A large bag of medication would be pumped into a tube, go through a hole in his chest and directly to his heart. Despite the agony of his disease and the elaborate means of keeping it under control, Harold was very active. Every day he would wake up and begin to paint. He joined a theater group and performed around the eastern United States, including at the White House and on Broadway. In between scenes, Harold would do his infusions. Being active kept his mind away from the pain.