Yoga Festival, Rishikesh, India

Words to live by ~

Go with the Flow ~ This too shall pass ~ Have an attitude of gratitude 

Author and Illustrator, Drama and Visual Arts Teacher  

I am a recently retired Drama and Visual Arts high school teacher, holding degrees in both fine arts and education. My current passion is illustrating and writing children’s books and sharing them with primary school students. My debut book is called ‘A We Story’ and can be purchase on Amazon. The story takes place in the garden patch and follows the main character, Jella Pea on a biking adventure where he sees and hears the wonders of nature and learns the importance of listening, friendship and kindness. The story focusses on social emotional learning and provides a listening practice for students, which encourages self-regulation, focus and attention. 

Yoga and Meditation Instructor

I am also a Certified Yoga and Meditation Instructor and a member of Yoga Alliance. My focus as a yoga/meditation teacher is to encourage the growth of radiance and self awareness in my students by helping them realize their full potential. I teach in the Ottawa valley, Canada as well as online. 

Yoga/meditation and the arts have brought balance to my life, giving me the support I needed to raise my 4 sons and teach high school. I am dedicated to bringing my students to a deeper awareness of themselves and their connection to all life. One of my dreams is to see mindfulness-based practices taught regularly at both elementary and secondary schools, to empower students to be responsible for their own energy and understand simple ways to copy with stress, relax and be mindful. I think it is important that all new teachers coming out of teachers college be trained in mindfulness techniques for their own and their students’ well being. A healthy mind, body and heart brings about a healthy world. 

Installation – Performance art  

After graduating in the late 1980’s from York University’s Fine Art Program I became actively involved in the Toronto art scene as an installation and performance artist. My work was seen mostly in alternative sites such as university lobbies, street corners, parks, parking lots and festivals as well as in galleries and theatre spaces. The work I produced was site specific and depicted an evolving narrative that spanned over a decade. My work used an interdisciplinary approach including music, dance, poetry, photography and a blend of mixed media and found objects. My performance work has been recognized both by the Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council. Key works to note were Birthing the Feminine (1990), War Cryyy (1992), Origin Lost (1993–98) and Moving the Monument (1999). 

Fantasy Scapes, Portraits, Comics 

I have always been interested in a graphic style of art and blending symbols and metaphor into painted landscapes and portraits. My work is often inspired by visions I experience during meditation and contemplation. I often work with vivid colours, symmetrical and asymmetrical compositions and blend realism with abstraction.  Over the years I have worked with all types of media; painting with acrylic, oils, sculpture and mixed media as well installation and performance art.