This painting depicts a dream setting in 2003. In the dream I was a passenger in a convertible. The man driving the car cruised along a tree-lined country road as I listened to his many stories. I felt completely at ease, entertained and content with the companionship. The road ended, as did the dream, at a dead end. We had reached a shore where we watched water flow. We were looking across to the other side when I awoke. I needed to capture the peace of the dream on canvas so I would never forget it. For me it is an inkling of what may exist beyond our earthly journey.

I completed The Colour of Reckoning – which is also the title of my first art exhibit - in September of 2008. Eight months into recovery from a recurrent cancer I contemplated life at the family cottage as summer days waned.

My reckoning has come in many forms. Some experiences have dropped me to my knees while others have left me in awe. This painting symbolizes my deep gratitude for Creator and recognition of the power of love and forgiveness. In this painting I bless and release all my burdens - spiritual, emotional and physical. I embrace the future with anticipation and curiousity.

Struggling with severe dizziness and nausea during the seven months after a recurring cancer, I thought about a troubling nemesis in my life. I painted Bull's Eye over several days, resting extensively in between. The day I completed the painting I worked beneath a small circle of trees. A cat, dog and many birds kept me company as I rested in a hammock and eyed the canvas propped on the picnic table. I eventually put the canvas on the grass, walked around it, then painted from all directions. It was then that I had an awakening; the “why” of my nemesis became clear to me. Ah ha ! Bull's Eye! The nemesis will never visit my life again. I have let it go. The painting of Bull's Eye was joyous, fun-filled.

A young man I love decided to speak his truth which inspired me to paint Mountain Climber. I was happy for him but felt sad as I knew he must have struggled. This young man climbs huge mountains, figuratively and literally. As I thought about the mountains that we all face, I contemplated the big picture. I stepped back from the painting and to my surprise an outstretched hand was positioned on the face of the mountain - the hand of the Creator?  I realized how small mountains really are in the big picture!

Humankind generally accepts that life is about sorrow and joy, darkness and light. I have experienced much joy over the past decade until it was interrupted by the recurrence of cancer. Stress, then darkness, washed over me. Painting Portals to the Light helped me choose between darkness and light.

Some people come into our lives as mirrors to ourselves or teachers. When on the receiving end of bad behaviour I was angered. I wanted to push back. Instead I picked up my paintbrush and worked out my emotions on canvas. Through the painting process the anger gave way allowing forgiveness and compassion.

While recovering from a recurrent cancer operation I decided to take a trip to Ireland. On my way to a mid-summer day wedding celebration I journeyed up a mountain. I was on “Bus Two.” The driver had taken a wrong turn making us two hours late for the wedding dinner. Looking through the rain-splashed window I caught glimpses of Ireland’s highest waterfall. I was excited about this for different reasons. Seven years prior I began writing about a mythical woman I called Shandarrah. This writing was inspired by Ireland. Coincidentally I wrote about a waterfall that plays an important part in Shandarrah’s story, a woman’s healing journey.