*This episode includes brief mentions of childhood sexual abuse Today I’m joined by Giiniw-ikwe, also known as Vanessa Willow, a painter in the Woodland Art tradition. Vanessa is Ojibwe, a nurse, mother, grandmother, cancer-survivor, and childhood sexual abuse survivor. After undergoing a double mastectomy, lumpectomy, and radiation treatment, Vanessa received a gift of paints and canvases by her best friend. This gift would change her life. Although she never thought of herself as an artist, she has been painting continuously since that day. Her art practice has been a healing journey for her in terms of accepting her body and accepting herself. Beyond that, Vanessa’s work is being exhibited throughout Canada and used as part of social justice campaigns for missing Indigenous women. Most recently her art is part of the album art for new work from singer-songwriter Shy Ann Hovorka. Transcription Topics Covered: · Vanessa’s experience of getting a cancer diagnosis · Using painting as a way to express her feelings after surgery and radiation · Painting as a way to navigate ongoing cancer diagnoses · The path to accepting her body and herself · How painting is a sacred practice which connects her to her culture and her ancestors · How her art is being shared and becoming part of social justice campaigns Follow Vanessa Vanessa’s Facebook Vanessa’s LinkedIn Vanessa’s TikTok Vanessa’s Instagram Vanessa’s Shop on Redbubble Follow Me: ● My Instagram ● My LinkedIn ● Art Heals All Wounds Website ● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram ● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter ● Art Heals All Wounds Facebook ● Art Heals All Wounds Newsletter Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.