Geraldine O. Lloyd

Geraldine O. Lloyd was born in Durham, North Carolina, to a family that had on both sides grown tobacco, lobbied for the tobacco industry, and included a great-grandfather who coined the advertising slogan, "I'd walk mile for a Camel." Geraldine grew up Presbyterian in Falls Church, Virginia, and was sent to finishing school after her parents refused to let her attend art school. A beauty, Geraldine married twice, had two children, and has lived her adult life between Frederick, Maryland, and Key West, Florida.

Active in community theater, Geraldine has served as a Toastmaster, an emcee, and led a prominent social life. Feeling "shattered" at the coinciding ending of her second marriage and becoming an empty-nester, Geraldine sold everything she owned and began an intensive period of making art throughout all her living spaces. Cancer manifested three years later. Geraldine explains, "The last cigarette I smoked in 1995 was a Camel. I was unable to breathe and was given an emergency tracheotomy, which became infected by Staph and nearly killed me. Airlifted to Johns Hopkins, my cancer, caused by my addiction to cigarettes, resulted in a laryngectomy," silencing her natural voice. Geraldine would later transform an old Mercedes-Benz into an elaborate art car that became a big part of her recovery.

In 2002, Lloyd created a graphic and very personal documentary film, Dream Stealers, now used to educate public school children about the high personal cost of addiction. Over a period of five years, Geraldine also created 12 large paintings, each one exploring the original founding spiritual principles of the 12 Step Recovery Program. "I have an abiding faith that everything is in perfect order. I wait and watch and hope I have the strength to show up for the challenges. I love life and being of service in every way I can."

To learn more about Geraldine O. Lloyd, visit: http://geraldineolloyd.com