Wanna see my boobs? (A call to artists)

For some reason — I can't quite figure it out — Judi Grove, an amazing woman, breast cancer survivor and founder of Breast Impressions, thinks I'm a celebrity.

I think her judgment should be questioned, but whatever.

Her organization donates casting kits to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and face a mastectomy. By making a cast of their breasts before they're removed, the women are left with a memory of their bodies before they're altered by the effects of their cancer.

The idea was sparked when Grove found a lump on her nipple and learned she'd have to have a mastectomy. She made a cast of her own breasts before surgery.

Two years ago, Grove began hosting an annual event to raise money for Tulsa Project Woman, a nonprofit organization that provides no-cost mammography, diagnostic procedures and surgical services for women with no health insurance and limited financial resources.

Grove asks local "celebrities" (typically people much more famous than I am) to lend their bodies to a casting. The casts are then painted by local artists and auctioned off at the gala event. This year's annual gala and live auction is October 25 at Woodland Hills Mall. Grove would like to have the casts on display through the month of October.

I am more than thrilled to be a part of this event and to lend myself to two organizations who do so much for women's health. My aunt and my grandmother, both on my mother's side, are breast cancer survivors, and I find them and all of the other women who've beat the disease, awe-inspiring.

Grove is still looking for five or six artists who are interested in painting/decorating casts to be auctioned off. It is a great way to have your work seen in an unusual setting and to do something really wonderful for the community as well. Grove said she'd especially like to have the involvement of some younger, burgeoning artists who could stand to benefit from the exposure.

Plus, no one's signed on to paint my cast yet. And I want someone really, really good.

Finished casts are due September 1, so we need to find artists quickly. If you're interested, please e-mail me at tulsaartblog at yahoo.com or contact Judi at breastimpressions at cox.net or 691-3874.