About the Cover Artist | Ictathlon, by Heather Cappadonia

Heather Cappadonia is the owner of East Fork Art Studio in Hamlin, NY, near Rochester. Born and raised in Syracuse, NY, she earned a bachelor’s degree in art and a master’s degree in art education at Nazareth College of Rochester, NY. After teaching art for over 25 years, Cappadonia retired to focus on her artwork and to care for her son, Nicky, who lives with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Throughout her long and complicated journey caring for a child with medical needs, Cappadonia has often encountered the assumption that she is some variety of health care provider. “Even the Facebook algorithm has decided that I am actually an RN,” she says, “not an ‘R-tist’!” Cappadonia counters this assumption by working to paint herself outside of life’s corners.

One of Cappadonia’s favorite artistic practices involves depicting the way she experiences the 5 senses. This work often draws upon her endurance training. Cappadonia is an avid runner, having completed 18 half-marathons and 7 full marathons. Perseverance, both physical and mental, is a major source of inspiration for Cappadonia. She credits this perseverance with her ability both to complete long races and to help Nicky through his frequent seizures, which can last over 20 minutes.

Cappadonia also draws upon the experience of caring for Nicky as he participates in epilepsy clinical trials. This can be seen in Ictathlon, where elements of the human body—neurons—merge with the external environment. In the foreground, a runner, carrying a baton, races through the challenging marathon of epilepsy management.

“I find that my son’s diagnosis of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome—a severe seizure disorder—sneaks into my artwork lately, sort of against my will,” says Cappadonia. “Painting and running were supposed to be my escape from it all, but this experience has been so very disruptive that most of the time, our family doesn’t know whether we’re coming or going. So, if that’s where I find myself, then I will just paint the epilepsy—even if I don’t want to, even when the answers don’t match the questions, even when there’s nowhere to run, especially away, even when the finish lines are moving faster than my feet. We just have to keep moving. If we ever feel lost in the woods, or that we’re going in the wrong direction, we rely on our faith and on the many people who love and support us. It’s in the deepest struggles we discover we are the most blessed.”

You can explore Cappadonia’s work on her website, www.eastforkartstudio.com.