This exhibition of artwork is inspired by nature and the human condition. Artistic expression is personal for me. It deals with my spiritual, emotional and physical reckoning. Creative expression helps me better manage my life, transcend pain and feel happy. 

The story behind The Colour of Reckoning is about overcoming - using art to cope and heal. I draw on pain-related diagnoses that followed me since my twenties; erythema nodosum, sarcoidosis, fibrositis (fibromyalgia), migranes, sinus infections and frequent periods of insomnia. At 43 years of age I skidded into burn out and depression. This forced me to question the chronic pain in my life. Seven years later, and just seven weeks after a partial hysterectomy, I was diagnosed with liposarcoma of the leg - a rare form of cancer.  When faced with my mortality I immersed myself in painting. In 2008 I underwent a second surgery for a recurrent liposarcoma.  Almost two years later I am healed and taking life much more slowly.

When the cancer surfaced the relationship between liposarcoma and Agent Orange contamination was unknown to me. I cannot explain it but I had nonetheless visualized the foot-long tumor in my right thigh as orange in colour. Sound strange? This visualization story is outlined in my book Soul Gifts: The World’s Self-Help Book.   

The last painting completed for this exhibition is called The Colour of Reckoning. It represents letting go of my lifelong perception of weakness due to bouts of illness. The body The Colour of Reckoning reflects the many stages of my healing process. 

I dedicate this exhibit posthumously to Canadian soldier Jim Cadger (1944-2008) who educated me about the link between dioxins and disease. Mr. Cadger pointed out that my immune system could have been compromised from exposure to dioxin spray from CFB (Canadian Forces Base) Gagetown; I had vacationed in the area during my childhood.

Related Excerpts from Soul Gifts: The World's Self-Help Book are offered for the reader.