About me

You would think that as a person who has made her living via communication, aka counselling, I would find it easy to tell you about me. Hmmm.

In 2013, I was living my life, working as a psychotherapist in private practice, finishing my thesis for my Master of Arts in Counselling and attending a jewelry design program. When I wasn’t making glass beads (lampwork) or sterling silver jewelry, I was drawing.

Then my car was hit by a tanker truck, leading to a brain injury and a whole new way of life.

I got into painting because I could not read anymore. Not just headaches, whiplash and weird visual problems, but I was unable to recognize a word on a page. Since reading was my comfort, it was difficult. I had to sleep a LOT. Everything caused pain and/or fatigue. I could not work, or even leave the house. I was financially decimated. It sucked big time.

I started playing with colour, and it felt good to do that. I came across The Painting Experience and Process Painting and found that I could create images and not be in pain. I could concentrate without causing migraines or the need to sleep. I had used some expressive arts with clients and knew how valuable it could be. So along with a year of Vision Therapy, I painted and did collages.

It was amazing to feel productive and do something for more than 5 minutes. I took painting workshops with a variety of teachers and realized that I loved acrylics. I learned about my inner life through my art work and it helped me cope with the many changes I was dealing with. It turns out that I am pretty adaptable, flexible and great at problem solving. Also still great at many things that made me a good therapist and excellent manager!

I live in the lovely city of Victoria, Canada, with a strange man that has hung around for a good while. We are ruled by Shira, an insane 6 year old mini Golden Doodle, who believes that my lap is the place for her and Theo, a 3 year old Havanese, who also believes that my lap is his. They careen around creating havoc, usually when my hands are covered in paint and I am trying to do something delicate on a canvas. Or lately, on a Zoom meeting.

Artwork kept me from going crazy. I found something that I love to do. Some of what comes out is a little strange, but then, so am I. And that was true way before my brain was altered.