Artist info / Crystal Sea

ABOUT CRYSTAL

Artsy4

The majority of Crystal Sea's experience was in advertising; until she started remodeling homes as a hobby. Soon, she fell in love with the whole process, from construction to interior design and made it her full time occupation. During that time, visits to Costa Rica, commercial fishing in Alaska, and brine shrimp harvesting on the Great Salt Lake were part of her adventures as well.

For many years, a mysterious, recurring illness would continue to affect her life. Crystal's Doctors thought the problem could be lupus or something related. Eventually she became very ill and after more extensive testing, found out she had a very rare form of cancer called Carcinoid. This form could not be treated by conventional means, such as chemotherapy. Actually, the doctors were not sure how to cure this disease at all. Finally, Crystal underwent major surgery to remove the tiny tumors and after a slow but steady recovery, she's good as new.

Oil painting is fairly new for Crystal; it used to be impossible for her to sit still long enough. However, life changes and she learned to slow down and smell the roses. As it became more difficult to be physically active, she started painting as an outlet for creativity and accomplishment. The painter found art to be extremely therapeutic and it was a huge part of her coping and healing process. Now, painting brings Crystal much happiness and peace and it's igniting a whole new adventure in her life. Crystal Sea has now had exhibitions from Seattle to Manhattan to Hollywood and she is enjoying the ride.

P A I N T I N G A S A M O T I V A T I O N

Local woman finds power of healing in art

By Melody Wright

Crystal Sea's name evokes tranquility, clear light moving over water.

It's a perfect name for a painter whose work often includes those elements. It's an incongruous name for a woman whose life so far has been anything but calm.

The Pacific Northwest resident battled health problems for years and had been shunted from doctor to doctor in a vain attempt to discover what was wrong. She was told she had lupus and when her weight began to drop they said she was anorexic. As her weight loss and weakness intensified, Sea-- who once lived an active lifestyle that included commercial fishing in Alaska and remodeling homes for a living-- found herself reduced to lying in bed all day.

Sea's mother is an artist and had encouraged her to try painting. She resisted until her mysterious illness made it impossible for her to do anything else.

"I was so sick, I didn't feel like getting out of bed," she said. "Painting motivated me to do something, to have a tangible reminder of my effort each day. Otherwise, I think I would have given up."

Sea favors rich colors and clear images, many of which include boats and water. Her work is reminiscent of old-fashioned New England woodcarvings. In the process of teaching herself brush techniques and shadings, Sea summond her dwindling resources and checked herself into a local hospital for further tests.

She was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer, a rare disease whose tiny tumors produce large quantities of serotonin. The chemical races through the body, speeding up the functions of body organs to the point collapse. The only treatment was exploratory surgery to locate the tumors and remove them. Even after surgery, Sea was told she had 50-50 chance at living a normal life span.

Meanwhile, her paintings were piling up in her house. Her friends got together and auctioned them off to raise money for her after Sea was discharged from the hospital. To her surprise, all 15 of the paintings sold. Later, she was invited to show at Cafe Destino in Bremerton and sold several more.

Her artistic success has coincided with improving health. So far, the surgery seems to have worked. Sea finally is gaining weight, energy and hope for a future as a professional painter.

"I never in my life thought this would happen," she said. "I almost feel like painting saved my life, in a way, so I owe it to myself to give this a shot."

West Sound Arts and Entertainment

Bremerton Sun

EVENING MAGAZINE

Aired August 15th, 2005

Cancer survivor Crystal Sea is one of the participants. Crystal became a professional artist three years ago while she was battling cancer.

"It was a tough road, but I got through it. The art thing is new to me, I had never painted before until about three years ago and it's been an amazing journey," she said.

Crystal is used to painting smaller canvasses, but not a 7-foot door, too big to fit in her studio.

She creates a lighthouse, a secure place in stormy seas.

SEATTLE - By now, you've likely heard of Gilda's Club, but do you know what goes on inside? The club is embarking on its most ambitious awareness campaign ever.

It wasn't always smiles. Gilda's Club in Seattle took a lot of work to get the doors open.

"Everybody knew there was a big need for a community place for support for everybody living with cancer," says Anne Gottlieb, executive director of the Seattle Gilda's Club. "We've been open now for about three and-a-half years."

Speaking of opening the doors.

"Every Gilda's Club in the country has a bright red door," Gottlieb says. "It's happy, it's very welcoming."

That red door is the subject of a huge campaign now under way for the local club, named for late comedienne Gilda Radner, who died from ovarian cancer.

"I was diagnosed with cancer about three years ago, and I started painting when I got very sick," says club member, Artist Committee Leader and artist, Crystal Sea. The message she hopes you get when you see the red doors around town?

"Hope, and the light that all this brings to people," Sea responds. "I really think that it's just a wonderful place to go. You walk in these doors, and you smile, and laugh, and you just feel good."

The red doors are being unveiled today at Woodland Park Zoo, and this afternoon, the entire elephant herd will lend their "trunks" to the effort by painting their own red door. In the coming weeks, the doors will also be at Fisher Plaza and Seattle Center.