“bREATHE” SERIES
Beth Anne Booth underwent a life-changing experience after receiving a double-lung transplant on June 14, 2024. An elevated perspective matched with a surge of creative energy gave rise to the "Breathe" series. This body of work is the creative response to the feelings, thoughts, and overall experience Beth Anne embodied from the time she received "The Call" that she had lungs, to the "First Breath" that she took with her donor’s lungs.
Bold applications of colors and textures coupled with energy and movement symbolize the continuous waves of emotions Beth Anne faced throughout her recovery. Modern medicine, community, gratitude, love, healing, nature, strength, spirituality, and the power of the present moment are the themes that she channeled throughout the creative process.
This style of painting is centered around the present moment, and the actions that come from the freedom of surrendering to “the now.” With that awareness comes the significance of the breath, and its power as the driving force behind the art making, and, ultimately, it’s the source for life.
“While my experience is unique in that most people will not have to undergo a double-lung transplant in their lifetime, I believe we all share in the feelings associated with challenges and experiences that stir up fear, pain, grief, and anxiety within us. That’s part of being human. What we do with those feelings and experiences is up to us. There is an overall “lightness” that can be felt when we open up to those we trust and share what we are going through. Most of the time, the other person can relate to the feelings, even though their circumstances may be entirely different. My art is an expression of shared feelings. Painting is a medium I embrace for processing and reflecting life’s gradient of experiences. Painting is where I meet “Beth Anne.”
Beth Anne challenges you to breathe in the art, remain curious, and embrace the present moment.
The Call
Drawing from the emotions pertaining to the instant Beth Anne received “the call” from UVA Health that she had lungs. It was Thursday, June 13 at 7:24 in the morning. Upon hearing the phone ring, and seeing that it was a number with “434” as the area code, she had a gut feeling this was it. Adrenaline took over, and Beth Anne went into auto-pilot to arrive in Charlottesville within that critical two-hour window. She called family, made arrangements for Eva, packed for an uncertain hospital stay, and left behind the majority of her oxygen equipment, knowing it would soon serve no purpose. Amid the whirlwind, there was a steady presence—a foundation of support that guided her through the storm of emotions and decisions.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
Surrender
While on the way to UVA, and still in overdrive mode, Beth Anne was beginning to let go and allow everything to unfold as it should. From the beginning of the lung disease journey in March 2022 to getting the call in June 2024, Beth Anne had been given information as it became available due to procedures and tests. After each appointment she was hit by waves of shock, fear, numbness, and sadness. These feelings were temporary, as she held an inner knowing that all is well and all will continue to be well, even though the experience was messed up! Leading up to the arrival at UVA for a procedure that would be life altering, she practiced the act of surrendering. The foundation continued to hold the pieces in place throughout waves of emotions and feelings of uncertainty met with trust.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
Trust the Process
Upon getting to the hospital, Beth Anne was told that the surgery wouldn’t take place until the following day, June 14. She had time to process what was about to happen. That night, Beth Anne shared with her nurse that she was scared and wished that her husband was there with her. The nurse reassured her that all was well, and that she was going to get through this. Beth Anne began to settle in and “trust the process.” She had made it this far, and knew that she had been supported the whole way.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
Peri Op
“Perioperative” is the period of time a patient is admitted to the hospital for surgery up until the time they are discharged. Beth Anne shared an image of this painting with one of her transplant doctors post-surgery. The doctor said that the painting looked like “peri op,” and was referring specifically to the time during surgery. The painting reminded her of the way blood changes color from blue to red during surgery, as the blood is exposed to oxygen. Beth Anne was incredibly intrigued by the doctor’s interpretation and titled the painting “Peri Op” in the surgical team’s honor.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
All-Encompassing
All encompassing. The adjective that described the journey after transplant while recovering in the hospital. The physical, emotional, and spiritual feelings. The care from the medical teams and hospital staff. The devoted visits from family and check-ins from friends. The scary thoughts around life expectancy and mortality rate. The joy and safety felt from seeing her husband for the first time post-transplant. It was everything. Embracing the new life and grieving parts of the former. And it was this all encompassing experience that kept Beth Anne moving forward, maintaining strength and gratitude as she navigated the unknown. After 12 days of being hospitalized and recovering from a life changing event, the doctors said it was time to go home. It was time to embrace this new life and put her lungs to work.
Image credit Shane McFadden
Homecoming
Celebration, excitement, joy, and also anxiety from being super immunocompromised. It was a new job protecting her lungs, staying well, and being on top of taking all her medications and vitals everyday. It was a lot all at once. Beth Anne was home with her family. The yellow paint is the same as what was used on the front door of their home. The deep, foundational color of purple and lightness from the blue represent the weaving of support and love that Beth Anne faced upon arriving at her parents’ house where she was convalescing.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
Abundance
Deep, bold colors support the vibrant, bright trails of paint that echo the overwhelming reception of love Beth Anne, and her family, received from various corners of her communities. Cards, flowers, gift cards, toys and activities for Beth Anne’s daughter, in-person (distanced) porch hang outs, and so much more. The green is a standout and humble color in this work of art. It symbolizes prosperity, growth, and a strength that comes from being grounded.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
Breath of Fire
Breath of Fire is a phrase taken from a breathing technique in Kundalini yoga, which consists of rapid, forceful exhales followed by passive inhales. It is a challenging practice with a great list of benefits. With new lungs, Beth Anne was directed to move her body and put her lungs to use. Moving the body the day after surgery, and continuing to build up endurance and develop an exercise routine through pulmonary rehab once at home was hard, but Beth Anne’s lung capacity improved significantly. It is a testament to how effort and perseverance lead to positive outcomes.
Image credit: Shane McFadden
First Breath
A response to the feelings that came from Beth Anne’s first breath of fresh air once she was discharged from the hospital. The swirling of events that led to the first inhale and exhale are represented by the variety of colors, textures, and layers. There is a sense of “newness” that rises to the surface, ushering in a new journey, but with a firm and solid path. “First Breath” also signifies the first breath we take in each new moment, or at the start of each new day.
Image credit: Shane McFadden