My Story

As an artist, I often get the question, "What made you start painting or have you always loved it?". That question is not a simple answer for me. So let me start from the beginning.

If you are a mother of a child who needs hospital care more often than not, you will understand all that I am about to tell you. For those mothers who are blessed to have healthy children, I know you will understand too but in a different way. You see, I am a mother of three beautiful children. Two of my children were healthy and were able to live and continue to live their life to the fullest. One of my precious daughters had a different story written for her.

Our precious Abby spent many of her days unwell or healing from a surgery or procedure. On the good days she just wanted to be a normal kid/person. We did our best to give her a full and happy life while she was with us. To allow her to be 'normal' as much as we possibly could. That takes a toll on the family, it took a huge toll on me. I was the main caregiver, so that my husband could continue to do what he is amazing at and provide for all of us.

My identity became Abby. Well, the health care part for sure defined me for 24 years.

I was always trying my hardest to keep present and keep her as happy and healthy as possible. When I lost her...I was lost.

I no longer had the job of caretaker, always her mom of course, but no longer the nurse or hospital buddy. Not the cheerleader of taxi to each appointment.

I had no idea how to define me anymore.

It was a hard, long, and difficult time for me to figure out who I was again since she didn't need me like that anymore.

But when I started to paint, I realized, I could be me. That it was something of my own....and I would be okay. So, I decided not to involve Abby inside each painting. It was challenging but I knew that I did not need to prolong the pain and remind myself of what I don't do for her anymore.

Instead, I look at painting as a gift that she gav e me