In 2016 I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune and neuroinflammatory disease, severely impacting my right hand and arm with bone and joint issues, chronic neuropathic (nerve) pain, skin problems, spasms, tremors, and more. In 2018 the neuroinflammatory aspect of this condition caused a Mild Cognitive Impairment, a disability that ended my career in bioethics and healthcare.
With a background in research ethics, I quickly became a volunteer Patient Partner - and co-author - in pain research studies across Canada. My military experience as a trainer led to involvement in projects to train healthcare professionals to better diagnose and treat chronic pain
By 2020 I started seeing research showing benefits of having an art practice on both cognition and pain, which was the catalyst I needed to embark on a childhood dream of learning to paint with watercolours... in spite of chronic pain, hand issues, and a cognitive impairment!
I fell absolutely in love with watercolours, for their luminosity and transparency, despite being known as the most difficult medium.
In 2021 one of my watercolours won a national art award, and in 2022 another won a Montréal-wide amateur art award. 2024 brought an Honourable Mention from a historic art society in Montréal, at their 130th annual exhibition, then a 2nd Prize at their 131st exhibition in 2025.
Also in 2025, several of my paintings were juried into international open exhibitions, including with Canada's two major national art societies; the Federation of Canadian Artists (at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver).
I create Art Despite Pain; happy, playful paintings that celebrate life and the beauty of nature.
My #ArtDespitePain initiative uses my artwork to raise awareness of chronic pain, and my art practice to encourage others living with persistent pain to try creative pursuits to improve their symptoms and possibly even their quality of life.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My art is inspired by the natural world, from the beauty of our landscapes to the intricate details of the fauna and flora that surround us. I’m intrigued by particular moments outdoors; the reflection of sunlight off the petal of a flower at dawn, or the glimpse of a wild animal in an urban setting.
My watercolours, both plein-air and in studio, embody a form of joyful stylized inpressionism.