My name is Anne. 

Mother of two, painter, writer. 

I grew up in the forest, by the water, in a small town in Quebec. 

In September 2015, I moved to Vancouver. 

At the time, writing was my only artistic outlet. 

Life having its challenges, I experienced homelessness during my first 7 months in Vancouver. 

It was dark, very dark time.  

I discovered my love for painting and drawing then. 

A night, just an other night surviving, I picked up a few markers and a big sheet of paper. And drew. 

Drew. 

And drew. 

And I felt peace. 

Like I haven’t in a long time. 

And I was amazed by the Colors. 

And I kept on going. 

Overtime, I discovered my love for watercolors.

Practical, as they fitted in my backpack, dried fast and easy to carry around. 

It was dark, very dark time. 

But this peace that making art brought, helped me to keep going. 

I was not a mom yet, I was not sober yet, I was not equipped to deal with my overwhelming emotions and thoughts yet. 

But I had art. To keep me going. 

In April 2016, I found sobriety. Or sobriety found me. 

In April 2016, at 24 years old. 

I reached the darkest point in my life. 

I got sober. And I was scared. 

I didn’t know how to paint, live, socialize, be. 

I didn’t know life, sober. 

Despite my fears, I kept on painting. 

I stayed sober, ever since. 

I had my children, which I raise alone. 

I lost my mom. 

I discovered acrylics and oil pastels. 

I moved around the country. 

I spent time in a women safe house. 

I dreamed. Big and bigger dreams. 

I met beautiful people. 

I’ve received help and I helped. 

I felt sad, angry, anxious, happy, nothing or too much. 

I felt alive. 

And all along, there was art. 

To bring me peace. 

To keep me going. 

 

Making art saved my life. 

Making art saves my life.

 

My name is Anne. 

It is nice to meet you.