Artist's statement: Childhood left scars from whips, incest, sleep deprivation. I married at 16 enduring more violence. Two years later I ran away but had a mental breakdown was a year at the Alan Memorial. Hospital - I obtained a divorce. Since, I've been in therapy all my life. Each day I build a new me to live on keeping fears of suicide off and panic down. In 1999 I almost lost my eyesight, Dr. Britton (Ottawa Eye Institute) operated and saved me. My grandmother was Metis remembering her is my shelter. Using her as my inspiration, I draw nature scapes, to fight off moments of anxiety attacks I use stronger colors and more vivid subjects some are scary. I keep painting and drawing and my new husband is my support and frame maker. I am glad he is here. My art expression tends to be timid and gentle generally. I am trying to rediscover acrylics because they allow more aggressive expression due to their heaviness and thickness and I would enjoy working with their texture. I am grateful for getting the chance to work in this website and thankful for the volunteers who work on this project. I never had the opportunity to share my work with other painters and their examples also help inspire me to try new ideas. Living with constant anxiety is wearing and living on three hours of sleep a night or less is too. I find using those lovely water color pencils - like in my picture Chapel, the tree subject came out really well. I find ink drawing leads me down strange avenues that always leave me with a pleasant surprise at the end. I hope we may meet someday.

Artist's Biography: I have also published in the 1970s a book of short stories called SHADOWS under the name Christine Lenoir -I write horror stories and lots of poetry. My horror stories are not yet complete. I am 64. I retired after 47 years on the work force and after a long wait I hope to live the life I started with as an artist. I will soon be exposing a group of paintings at the Horizon drop in centre and I created three mural sized paintings for its official opening on Oct. 7 2010 in the town of Casselman Ont. This is a volunteer work of art for the Canadian Mental Health Association who run Horizon centers. More on the subject to come. On October 6 2011 th CMHA awarded me with the Hope and Resilience Award for there consumers demonstrating courage and helping other with their illness.