2012 began with an enormous challenge - a stem-cell transplant which was supposed to lead to a long remission. It was painful, difficult and emotionally draining. I struggled hard to keep any equilibrium. The transplant was preceded by an extremely potent dose of chemo which took my hair away (again). I was hospitalized for a month which was at times, harrowing. I was happy to return home though my brain was in chemo-fog while my mouth and throat were covered in blisters, making it impossible to swallow for weeks. To put it kindly, it was an excruciating time. Caring family and friends did their utmost. I felt the need to record events and my thoughts in a journal.

In March, 2 of my paintings were accepted for an exhibit at Tudor Hall, Ogilvy for the Women's Art Society of Montreal. André, my eldest son, delivered the large paintings for me as I was still too weak to drive.

By July, I started to feel better and ventured out carefully though it wasn't until a few months later that things seemed to feel calmer.

Little granddaughter Chloe was a powerful booster during this time. Her smile and hugs brought unimaginable joy into the crevices of this seemingly eternal year. Also, thanks to blank canvases and paint, I was able to produce a few paintings. Looking back, I am amazed at how many I actually created and question where the inspiration came from. One theory I have is that they were embedded in my sub-conscious all along and slowly released to the surface to help me heal.

************************************************************ Chronology

DEC.11, 2012: Participated in the Minute Market at ELAN's (English Language Arts Network) schmoozer at McGibbon's Pub. I donated the Women's Artists Date Book 2013 as a door prize. My painting "Reading Women" was used for November 2013. Exhilirating to meet artists, writers, film-makers, musicians...

DEC. 8, 2012: Spent the day with people, young and old, at the Amnistie International Québec open house downtown writing and drawing postcards which will be mailed to political prisoners worldwide. Chantale Nurse of the Opéra de Montréal sang a few arias while we worked. What a gift !

NOV. 24, 2012: Display of 6 related paintings for WOMEN AWARE in the atrium of Concordia University, Guy street. See related photos album.

NOV. 11, 2012: Shield of Athena Fundraising Art Auction at Marché Bonsecours, Montreal. Painting "Interiors" donated for auction.

NOV. 8, 2012: Painting "Reading Women" included in 2013 Women's Artists Date Book publication by Syracuse NY Cultural Workers Association.

OCT. 18, 2012: Malala painting and my OP-ED published in the Montreal Gazette. Click on link below painting to read it.

SEPT. 27, 2012: McCord Museum. Launch of the 2013 SEDE calendar followed by the showing of a film by Candace Maracle (Mohawk) about the First Nations Lacrosse team. The painting HEALING CLOAK (shown below) covers the month of March partnered with the South Asian Community Arts Center SAWWC.

SEPT. 4, 2012: Election Day ! My painting is on the front page of the Montreal Gazette with a story on page A-6. See link under painting MAGIC DUST OVER MONTREAL

August 8 - 22, 2012: MONTREAL ART CENTER, 1844 William, Griffintown. 3 paintings as part of a group exhibit of Montreal artists "In the Heat of the Summer". Vernissage: Wed. August 8 from 5 - 9 pm. Open to the public until August 22.

March 29 - April 4, 2012: Exhibition at OGILVY'S Tudor Hall downtown Montreal. Women's Art Society annual juried exhibition. The 2 paintings accepted were - Women of the World Unite and Crescendo.