THE ORIGINS OF SOULART
SoulArt is so much more than abstract paintings...
It's an invitation to a deeper, more personal understanding of the world around and within us.
I am constantly inspired by life's endless complexities — love and loss, and joy and grief. Art is my way of making sense of these experiences, of finding beauty, meaning, and healing in the turmoil of life.
The Canvas of my Life…
Art has been my constant companion. From as early as I can remember, I've always found joy in working with my hands, and naturally, art became an important part of my life.
Going to university, and becoming a pediatric nurse took me away from my art. Then, immigrating to Canada brought its own and new challenges and I had to completely park my art. Later, having two daughters got me involved in many school activities and I took every opportunity I could to volunteer and work with the students in their arts and craft activities.
I became a German language teacher and started my own school, which I operated for seventeen years, and whenever possible I incorporated art projects with the language learning. As a mother and a teacher, life got very busy, and it did not really allow me any time to focus on my own art. However, in all those years, the ‘art’ was always there…a silent undercurrent.
Later in my life, during an exceptionally difficult time, art became a refuge… a sanctuary that opened on those nights where I could not sleep, but where I could freely express the rawest of my emotions on canvas.
Those late-night sessions, with humble art supplies in hand, were my silent conversations with the universe, an unspoken dialogue of loss, grief, and longing.
Fast forward to a new chapter in my life, when I am living in Germany for a year and immersed in European culture and history and all of a sudden, I feel a strong sense of inspiration, buy an easel, and start painting. At the start of the pandemic, I returned to Canada and now I have all the time in the world to explore my art and dive deep into my creativity. I love to experiment and enjoy learning by trial and error. Art is constantly on my mind, and I am painting all the time.
For me, the turning point came when I walked into an art gallery and saw an artist call for an upcoming “Anonymous Art Show” fundraiser. This really intrigued me, and I felt I had nothing to lose because it was completely anonymous. I submitted three little paintings and all three sold in a matter of hours. I was so surprised, felt very uplifted, and was very grateful to have been able to contribute to a worthwhile cause, reaffirming my belief in the power of art. It gave me validation that I was on the right path.
Since then, I have embarked on art full time, and I couldn’t imagine life without having a paintbrush in my hand. Deciding to fully commit myself to my art was a leap of faith… a step into the unknown. However, within this decision lay my truth: art is not just a part of my life… it is my life.
One life on this earth is all we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can.
~ Frederick Buechner
I've learned that being ‘all-in’ is about immersing myself entirely in my art, allowing it to permeate every aspect of my being. This journey has taught me the value of gratitude and the power of inspiration in ways I never imagined.
In this commitment, I find an unending source of inspiration. The world around me transforms; ordinary moments become extraordinary through the lens of an artist's eye. With its infinite beauty and complexity, nature becomes a canvas of endless possibilities. The stories of people I meet, combined with the experiences and emotions that coursed through my own life… all become fuel for my creativity.
Reflecting, I am grateful for the challenges and triumphs, for they have profoundly shaped me and my art. Each artwork I create is a testament of this gratitude. It's a reminder that art is not just a creation; it's a piece of my soul…
