Amid the challenges brought on by the pandemic, I found myself on an unexpected journey that would reignite my passion for art and transform my life.
As a senior navigating the complexities of caring for my husband, who was in the early stages of Alzheimer's, I turned to acrylic painting as a means of expression and healing. During this turbulent time, I connected with an incredible mentor, Catherine Shea, who resides in Mexico. Under her guidance, I began exploring the vibrant world of acrylics, discovering a new medium and a renewed sense of purpose. Zoom took me from the limits of my secluded life of the pandemic to the outside world.
My passion for art is not new; it has been a constant thread throughout my life. I hold a diploma in art therapy from the Waldorf School, which I pursued after owning and operating a liturgical design studio for four years. That creative venture allowed me to merge my artistic talents with spiritual expression, providing meaningful work that served the community.
After retiring from a fulfilling career in the federal government, where I headed the Organizational Leadership Unit at Agriculture and Transport Canada, I felt the need to bring my creativity into leadership. I developed programs that introduced innovative concepts in human design to senior management, drawing from my extensive studies at prestigious institutions like the University of George Town, University of Toronto, and York University.
This experience took me across Canada and the US, enriching my perspective on leadership and community building. My commitment to art also led me to volunteer at Unionville Long Term Care, where, for four years, I ran art programs for clients who have dementia. This experience was profoundly rewarding; it allowed me to witness firsthand the power of art in fostering connection and joy among the residents. I organized art shows that honoured their work, creating a space for families and the community to celebrate each individual's creativity.
Today, I feel it all aligning into a single path forward, a new chapter of my life through which my artistic creations and my workshops will enable me to introduce a new and broader audience to the transformative power of art. As I look upon my artwork, each brush stroke reflects my artistic and personal evolution: the resilience and strength I have cultivated through life's challenges as well as the hope and vision I hold for the future.
