Welcome!
A bit about me.
My name is Sharlea Warner. I’m a mom of two, and married to a wonderful, supportive man. We recently moved back to the US from Europe, and though there has been many changes in our life this year, we love our new home.
My early 20s were a whirlwind of emotional and physical chaos. After my husband and I married, we quickly had two kids. One right after the other, which we now realize was a blessing in disguise. It wasn’t long after my son was born, that we noticed there was something wrong with me. Within three months, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, and it had progressed further than what is typical for my age. After surgery, a large amount of radiation, and two more surgeries spread throughout the year, I finally received my ‘no evidence of disease’ badge.
Now, here I am nearly 10 years later with no recurrence! It’s something to celebrate! However, after all the chaos of my younger years, it left me feeling out of touch with who I am now.
I went most of my life not realizing just how much art meant to me, until I turned 28. That year, there was a drastic change in my life. Things were finally calm. My babies were now preschoolers, my health was finally getting better, and I was BORED.
Sure, I had a degree in Nuclear Medicine, that I never used and was now terrified of re-entering, and my kids were in school part time. That left me with hours of being at home by myself. Oh the freedom! The liberation was overwhelming, and some how a bit scary. I was left with wondering to myself: “Who am I without cancer, or my kids to constantly care for?”
That was until one day I found a cheap $5 set of watercolors I had bought for my 4 year old, and I found myself slowly painting color back into my life.