Five years ago, almost to the day, my husband and I moved to Victoria. We were beginning a new phase of our life: me studying fine art and him working to put me through it. I remember how I felt when we moved here. I was excited but nervous whether this was a good life decision. I remember thinking as I walked up the front steps to the school that this might either be one of the best or one of the worst choices I get to make.

That was five years ago. Art school was such a rich experience and pushed me farther than I ever thought I could. I was talking to someone today at that same art school (where I now work) and I asked her if she has felt she has changed since going there. She said it’s not really that she has changed… but she has become more herself. I couldn’t have said it better. If I had to summarize my time here, both studying and now working, I would say that art has taught me about who I am and who I want to be. I now know that it was indeed one of the best decisions!

So why am I writing about all this? Because five years ago I found myself packing up our belongings and starting a new adventure in Victoria. Here we are again, boxes sprinkled throughout our apartment and me feeling reflective. This time it’s much harder to pack because apparently at least half of what I own consists of paintings, drawings and art supplies. I am exceedingly blessed to have had the opportunity to study art, to discover more of who I am, to have had art-related jobs, to have become part of a community of artists and to have had the chance to live near my family again.

My husband and I have decided to take some time off to spend time with each other and family, to travel and have new experiences. And of course… I will be making art! It is scary to let go of the familiar, but I think that scary can be good. Five years ago was scary and hard but I would do it all over again. So… here is to a new adventure and, as always, to art (and whales)!