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Emotional Darkness Is Canvas For Artist

Tribune photo by SCOTT E. SMITH

Shaun Kapp's painting "The Blackness the Body Possesses" captures his aunt and how he dealt with her breast cancer.

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By SCOTT E. SMITH

The Suncoast News

Published: August 21, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Blackness the body possesses. Empathy, compassion and the darker side of emotions.

Ridgewood High School graduate Shaun Kapp's creativity is motivated by the darker side.

Kapp paints from what he feels. His style reflects the darker, depressed side of feelings.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer recently held its kickoff event at Juan's Black Bean Deli in downtown New Port Richey.

Other kickoff events will be held countywide this month to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, a walk that takes place this fall.

Aunt Had Breast Cancer

Breast cancer touched Kapp's life when his aunt Jean was diagnosed in her mid- 40s. A breast cancer survivor, she was a big influence in his life and was his godmother as well as babysitter during the summers when his family visited her in Pennsylvania.

The painting titled "The Blackness the Body Possesses" captures his aunt and how he dealt with her illness.

The artwork was donated by Kapp after talking with event chairwoman Nancy Britton and Kapp reminded her about the 20-by-30-inch oil painting. Included in the image is a silhouette of Jean's husband, Paul, who was killed in an automobile accident.

"Paul was a heavy influence on Jean," Kapp said. "Not only was she beautiful on the outside, she drew her inner beauty from him."

Kapp, 27, is a manager at LensCrafters and said he is the only creative person in his family.

Doodling And Drawing

At a young age, he strayed away from homework and would spend his time doodling and drawing. Thus, an artist was born.

Never having a formal art class, his works contain dark colors and imagery, and he works primarily in oils.

"I don't paint flowers and ducks," Kapp said.

He said he doesn't find enough time to paint and is extremely close to his immediate family, which includes a twin brother.

When asked what he sees in his artwork when viewing it later, Kapp said he often feels calm and sees more in the painting than he originally intended.

"The Blackness the Body Possesses" will be auctioned Oct. 25. Tickets are $5 and available at The Florida Cancer Institute - New Hope, 8763 River Crossing Blvd., New Port Richey.

For information, call (727) 842-8411 or visit http:// makingstrides.acsevents.org.

MAKING STRIDES IN PASCO COUNTY

WHEN: Oct. 25

HOURS: Registration and Survivor Breakfast at 8 a.m.; walk against breast cancer at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Little Everglades Ranch, 37903 Ashbrook Road, Dade City

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