People have often told Marlene Pou that...

People have often told Marlene Pou that she is brave. The artist, whose series of paintings, “Bruised, Battered, But Not Beaten,” is on exhibit at DA Gallery in Pomona, shrugs them off.

“I think most people are (brave). Most people have more strength than they think they do,” she said. “You really do what you have to do.”

But the 50-year-old artist has had more to deal with than most. Sixteen months ago, her 26-year-old daughter, Marsie, who had Down’s syndrome, died of pneumonia.

Then, on May 5, 1992, Pou was delivering some artwork to Cal Poly Pomona when her van was struck head on, and then again from behind. “I did have a seat belt on,” she said. “That’s why I’m alive.”

When she regained consciousness, “I realized right away that my right arm was broken.” But the arm, the one she needs for painting, was more than broken. The upper part of the bone, where it meets the shoulder, was crushed. The joint was replaced, much like hip and knee joints are replaced in athletes. “Except with the shoulder, it doesn’t work quite as well,” Pou said.

When she paints, she said, “I still have to support my right hand with my left. Certain movements are almost impossible. I can raise (my arm) somewhat on its own, but not much and not for very long.”

It hasn’t stopped her. Her narrative series of artwork, about the accident and her feelings concerning it, make up the exhibit.

“I think it’s a catharsis,” she said. “I can disassociate myself while I’m working on them, but sometimes I can’t look at them afterwards.”

The exhibit runs through April 8 at the gallery, 244 1/2 Garey Ave. Regular gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 1 to 4 p.m.