EXPERIENCES & PEOPLE
ELIZABETH
I wanted to begin my page on inspiring people by telling you about my best friend, my Mom Elizabeth. She is the most extraordinary woman I have ever met and I could not have asked for a better role model. She is a strong, powerful woman who is full of life. Everything I am today is because of her. She taught me all the important things in life...how to be strong and independent...how to follow my dreams and listen to my intuition...how to be spiritual and still be able to take care of the physical, mental and emotional life. She taught me that luck is a four-lettered word spelled "w-o-r-k". She taught me that no matter what happens, there is always a solution. The most precious part of my day is sitting every morning, drinking coffee and having deep discussions with Mom...about our dreams, our life, and about her writing.
Mom has always been there for me. When I quit University, took a year off and then decided to become an artist, everyone thought I had completely gone crazy!!! Mom was the only person who fully supported me every step of the way. She never doubted my decision or my ability to make my dreams come true. My dreams would never have been an option if it wasn't for her love and support. Not only do I appreciate the huge things she does for me, but all the "little" things she does as well, like cooking supper every night so that I can keep painting for an extra hour!!
For everyone reading this right now, it is my wish that each and every one of you have someone special in your life who will completely love and support you. I am blessed to have my Mom...everything good in my life is because of her.
Mom &
I at Opening Night of
-Here I Am- Exhibition, Sept. 6, 2002
SKIING
Everyone usually thinks I'm crazy when I tell them that skiing makes my paintings better. I always say that it is very important to my art to take the odd day off and just go skiing!!! Somehow, being up on top of a mountain with the wind blowing in my hair and feeling the cold on my cheeks...and being with my friends...laughing until the tears are running down my face...all that somehow manages to wind up in my paintings the next day in my studio. I spend so much time by myself in the studio and usually am off "somewhere else" in my head that skiing gives me the opportunity to be physical and the freedom and the movement (aka speed!) is wild!
Skiing with my buddy Dan at
Kimberley Alpine Resort
When I first began to ski, I was fortunate enough to meet the Canadian Alpine Disabled Ski Team. Several of the team members have since become friends and they have had a big impact on my life. They have overcome many physical difficulties and yet they have become some of the greatest athletes in the world. I have watched them train and push themselves further and further and harder and harder and as a result, they have gone on to win medals at the Paralympic Games. They have inspired me to constantly push myself towards greatness and to constantly follow my dream.
I'd like to quickly say thank you to some of my ski friends for always being able to put a big smile on my face: Dan Corrigan, Nip Bradford, Henry Wohler, Will Elrick, Scott Patterson, Daniel Wesley & Mark Ludbrook.
RICK HANSEN
"If
you believe in a dream and have the courage to try, great things can be
accomplished." -Rick Hansen
As I sat here thinking about my
"Inspirations Page", I looked back over my life and realized that
one of my biggest inspirations happened when I was 13 years old. I met Rick
Hansen when he was on his "Man In Motion" Tour and he was wheeling
around the world in his wheelchair. At that time in my life it had never
occurred to me that I could follow my dreams and it was his energy and
charisma that helped me to believe in myself. It is my hope that all young
people will have an opportunity as I had to meet such a remarkable
person...there are so many inspiring people out there doing great things. The
reason for doing a page like this on my website is to remind people that we are
all great and all have the ability to do whatever we set our minds to.
Rick
Hansen is still working at raising money for Spinal Cord Research as well as
creating awareness for people with disabilities. For more information, please
check out his website:
Rick Hansen Man In
Motion Foundation
ALL IMAGES AND TEXT COPYRIGHT CAPRICE FINE ART & CO. INC. 2008 ã