I was born In Vancouver, B.C., and grew up in Manitoba, the interior of B.C., and Vancouver Island. At a young age I went to Mexico and ended up living in one of the most remote areas of the west coast mountain ranges of that country for the majority of my adult life. It became home for me. In recent years I have made my way back to Canada, and have slowly managed to reintegrate. Throughout my life I have dealt with substance abuse and mental health issues. I have struggled through the years to find change, and it is definitely taking place.
I come to the ARA art studio for various reasons. It has been a means to learn to feel comfortable around other people, and with myself. Here we can create art, give and receive support mutually, feel free to be who we are on the good days and also on the bad days too. Friendships and relationships are slowly forged. Creating art has become a very important part of my therapy, healing, and expression.
I do all types of art. I primarily use acrylics, and cover the whole spectrum from dark and shocking to colorful and happy. It usually seems to come out on the abstract side. I also do multimedia art, and what I would call experimental art. It all tends towards being an expression of emotions, memories, trauma and mental health issues, and also a sincere and guttural expression of my faith and hope fixed on God. Poetry is also a form of art and expression that I find fits me at this time.
I have never shown my art before except here at the ARA.
Participating in this on-line gallery is a way to offer my art to other people in the hope that they might be touched by it in some way.