December Creator of the Month: Victoria Marie

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Victoria Marie has and continues to embark on a life journey one can call a rich tapestry of interwoven threads within and beyond the arts. She moved from the US to Eastern Canada in 1965 and later settled in Vancouver. At age 42, Victoria decided to pivot away from her career in programming and data entry to venture into academia. Pursuing higher education, she earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Arts. Subsequently, she obtained a Master of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology. 

Victoria continued her studies by doing a doctorate degree at UBC in the Department of Education Studies crossing anthropology and adult education. Victoria’s journey into academia was intertwined with her earlier experience as a nun in a religious order, a chapter spanning 15 years. She then went on to join the Roman Catholic Women Priests Canada but has recently retired from active ministry. 

While Victoria’s background was not in the creative arts, her foray into creativity ramped up during the pandemic. Housebound, she stumbled upon an online course that combined spirituality and creativity called “Artful Spirituality” which inspired her to finally pursue her long-held desire to engage in the creatives, a desire that was often put down by others around her, filling her with doubts. 

Nevertheless, Victoria took her very first creative step and embarked on a journey of self-discovery through painting, often by following daily prompts from Doodlewash during the initial stages. She can now freely express herself and what she cares about through creativity. Currently very passionate about environmental activism, she contributes to this issue through art, by painting endangered species. Gradually through exploration, her art then expanded to making paintings of sacred femininity from her cultural roots prior to colonization. 

Despite facing health challenges, including cancer, Victoria found solace and healing in art. The act of creating became a form of meditation, a source of strength, and a way to maintain high spirits. Her studio, the four-foot space between her computer and bed, is witness to the creation of beautiful watercolor creations. 

Art has become an integral part of her life. Having battled cancer four times including a recent lobectomy and the news of its spread, art and the Artful Living program have provided a therapeutic outlet, keeping her grounded and focused during challenging times. For those seeking encouragement to engage in creative activities, Victoria's advice is simple yet profound: just start. Her own journey, which began with taking the first step into university at a later stage in life, serves as a testament to the transformative power of embracing creativity.

“Just start! Don’t listen to the critiques of others and your own inner critics because these can be the most harmful.”

Victoria Marie Links:

Transformations: The Spiritual Dimension of Learning Recovery From Addictions

Transforming Addiction: The Role of Spirituality in Learning Recovery From Addiction