"Since turning fifty, I have had more X-rays, Ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and doctor visits than I've had in my entire life. My body is changing in ways I did not anticipate. It seemed a bit excessive. But no, this is what happens as women age.

During that time, I had committed to participating in a large art show of self-portraits by artists entitled "Me, Myself, and EYE" at the B Complex in Atlanta. I started collecting my X-rays, scans, etc. of various parts of my body from my doctors. For the show, I chose to merge a black-and-white photo of myself in lingerie with my chest X-ray. Why lingerie? I felt it was a "baseline" and a reminder that I am a sensual being living in an aging body. I entered the image, and it won "Best Black and White," which I never expected. That gave the incentive to keep going with it. Since I will continue to "mature," it means more visits to doctors and more material for this project." - Marilyn

Postscript:

In addition to creating more of her own images, Marilyn planned to include other elderly women who requested combined medical images of themselves, along with their personal aging statements.

It was not meant to be.

Alzheimer's disease was quickly robbing Marilyn of her memory, her loving personality, the control of her own body, and finally, her life.