It is through art that Rebecca Zook manages the emotional and physical challenges of living with a chronic condition. After 3 years of seeing dozens of medical specialists, the Texas native was diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID), a very rare disease, at the age of 41. Due to her CVID, Rebecca has secondary autoimmune conditions and has undergone a mastectomy. Still, Rebecca considers herself to be one of the lucky ones. She holds down a full time job as a graphic designer, is happily married, has a strong support system and creates beautiful art. Rebecca refuses to let the struggles of a lifelong disease bring her down, and seeks happiness in all she does and she shares it with anyone who takes the time to look, despite her disease.
Tremendously talented, incredibly well spoken and committed to informing others and spreading awareness about CVID, Rebecca is a force to be reckoned with. On her site she has a page dedicated to informing others about CVID. On her blog she writes about her experience living with chronic illnesses, how it affects those around her whom she loves and how she juggles the emotions and copes. In her own words, ” when you have actual flawed genes, your priorities change and reorder.” Her outlook on life is inspirational for all, but living with CVID has made her perspective that much more exceptional.
“When you hear hoofbeats think horses…not zebras.”
Her passion for life in all of its facets and manifestations can be seen in her artwork. Acrylic paintings of landscapes, animals, figures, still life, floral and structures are a few of the categories in which Rebecca incorporates her perspective of “peace, beauty and light”. Her ability to capture the pure beauty of precious places throughout her home state, peaceful moments in her life and the lives of others, and the light in a sometimes dark world is simply brilliant. For those living with an illness and those living without, finding the silver lining between the dynamics of day-to-day life can be trying. Rebecca’s artistic genius can be purchased via her website and is featured in galleries and art tours throughout Texas.
Check her work out and support local artists!
