Art has the incredible power to inspire healing and hope. A cancer diagnosis, and the treatments that follow, can bring a wave of uncertainty, fear, and emotional weight that’s difficult to put into words. The beauty of art goes a long way in alleviating the anxiety that comes with cancer treatment; that is why art was such a powerful fixture in the construction of the new Astera Health/CentraCare – Coborn Cancer Center. In addition to dozens of canvas photos submitted by Astera Health staff, a local artist, known for his beautiful still-life paintings and landscapes, was approached to create two special pieces. The hope is that adding color to cancer care will make the journey a little easier for patients.
Lrez
Jay, who goes by the artist’s name, Lrez, contributed two pieces, The Fearless Funambulist and Choppy Waters.
Lrez previously worked in the residential construction industry, with art only being his hobby. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself in a unique scenario like so many others and decided to pursue art as a full-time endeavor. According to Lrez, some of his best work was completed during the pandemic.
The artist recently moved to Perham, Minnesota, with his wife, Hala Madi, MD, OB/GYN. They recently celebrated the birth of their first child, Alexander. Lrez explained that the move to rural Minnesota impacted his work heavily. Being surrounded by lush greenery is a constant motivator to add vibrant colors to his artwork.
The Fearless Funambulist
The first painting is split into three pieces. It depicts a village scene where a funambulist (tight rope walker) carefully walks above a bustling crowd of people. Every inch of the painting is packed with small details that draw the eye. Lrez intentionally painted this piece knowing that patients would be repeat visitors. He knew they would likely view the art in the main lobby where this painting is located throughout their treatment journey. Every time they sit down to wait, the patient has an opportunity to find a new detail.
Choppy Waters
The next painting is in the waiting area for radiation oncology. This is a singular canvas that shows an old-time ship suspended above choppy waters. Like the other painting, it is packed with small, intricate details that will leave patients searching.
The process of adding color to cancer care
The paintings being displayed in the cancer center were a labor of love completed over the span of 8 months. Lrez usually starts with a conceptualization and drafting phase. After sketches, he adds a base layer of acrylic, then he adds more layers of oil paint until the image takes shape. This is a time of intensive process because he must wait for every layer to dry before adding more. Complicating things further, he had to work on two separate paintings, so he had to be very careful about his choices of colors.
Meditating through art
“It’s different from putting it into a gallery for everyone to see,” said Lrez while discussing the impact of his work within the facility. The nature of the cancer center had a large impact on the color choices, composition, and subject matter within his artwork. He knew that each painting should be made of light and bright colors that accentuate rich scenes of movement and detail. The true goal was always to take patients away from cancer for just a moment and give them the chance to focus on something else. The paintings are like a visual treasure hunt where a patient can always find something new.
“They’re already walking in with a specific mindset; my goal is to remove them from that mindset and bring them into my world. “- Lrez
To learn more about the new cancer center, please visit AsteraHealth.org/cancercenter. To schedule an appointment, please call 218-631-3510.
Lrez’s artwork can be viewed on his website, lrezart.com. He also has an Instagram account: artlrez. Feel free to contact the artist via email at lrez@lrezart.com.
The Astera Health/CentraCare – Coborn Cancer Center will host a ribbon cutting and open house on July 8 at noon. This event is for the general public to see the new center. The new facility will welcome patients on July 14, 2025.
