Art with Heart 💝

Rosemary Hadland’s Support of DFC

Rosemary Hadland has always had a creative spirit. Over the years, she explored sewing, jewelry making, cake decorating, and painting. “I’ve always enjoyed all sorts of creative hobbies,” she said. “Even as a child I loved art.” Like many people, those interests were set aside as life grew busy.

A simple moment with her youngest grandchild brought it all back. Sitting down together with a child’s watercolor set, Rosemary felt something shift. “She asked me to paint with her and, lo and behold, my creative spirit seemed to come rushing back,” she said. “The tug was so strong that I began to follow online tutorials and take workshops to renew my skills.” That moment sparked the watercolor work she now shares through greeting cards and other products.

Her artwork connected with Dance for the Cure when the co-founders saw her snow-woman design and loved it. The piece, dressed in pink and sporting a breast cancer ribbon, carries a deeper meaning.

“When I started the woman with the pink hat, I thought, why not make her an advocate for breast cancer awareness?” she said. “I’ve known so many women who have faced the battle, and I did it to honor them.”

That design became a holiday card sold in boxed sets, with a portion of proceeds supporting DFC. The idea grew from her involvement with the organization. “For the past two years I have donated a piece of framed artwork to be used in one of the fabulous baskets at Ribbons of Hope,” she shared. “But I felt I somehow wanted to do more. I thought I could turn the pink snow-woman into boxed sets and send a portion of the sales along to DFC.”

Her connection to this work is also personal. Rosemary’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 60 and went on to live to 95. That experience shaped how she views support for others facing the disease. “Once a woman (or a man) receives the upsetting diagnosis of breast cancer, it is not only terrifying, it can become financially debilitating,” she said. “Dance for the Cure offers financial support to those who may be struggling through their treatments.”

“It helps in the here and now,” she added, “which can take away some of the stress of the journey. I am happy to be able to help in some small way.”

This spring, Rosemary continues that effort with a new card design created for DFC. “It will be a motif with flowers, perhaps a heart, and of course, the awareness ribbon,” she said. “A simple note card… so the sender can use it for a variety of occasions.”

For Rosemary, creativity has become a way to give back and to invite others to do the same. “I encourage others to think outside the box,” she said. “There are many ways to help and to spread awareness. Get creative!”

Through her watercolor art, Rosemary offers something both beautiful and meaningful—small acts of creativity that help support local breast cancer patients when they need it most.

Visit Rosemary Hadland's Portfolio: https://rhwatercolors.lovable.app/

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