
Artist Statement:
My biography should make the symbolism of the drawing fairly self evident. I am very capable in many ways, but I am also vulnerable. Thus I have found myself often hounded up a tree by spiteful and ignorant people. When this happened, I built a treehouse, pulled up the ladder, and turned my isolation into an advantage.
Bio:
I have had fibromyalgia type symptoms from the time I was a small child. The cause was the abuse received as a child by my parents, both of whom were mentally ill and should not have been left caring for children. Once I was able to get away from my parents control, I had a very hard time getting proper diagnosis and care from the medical community. I still do not understand just what the rationale is, but to this day I have a huge problem getting doctors to acknowledge the obvious and provide what I need. I grew up in Alberta. My biggest regret is not getting out as soon as I was able and moving to where there is a less vicious attitude toward anyone who doesn’t “work”. I was in some danger for awhile as a group of fanatics with the health and welfare agencies there essentially stalked me, trying to get me diagnosed as schizophrenic and involuntarily treated. My life has been a lot easier since I went to B.C. and then Ontario and got proper medical treatment for some of my conditions. I was able to build a better life for myself and acquire a university degree. There are of course still problems here with the health and welfare systems. I have been involved at times with political activities toward a more just social order. I have mostly withdrawn from that. I can be a valuable asset to such groups, due to my intelligence and character. However, that makes me a threat to manipulators and my conditions make me vulnerable to attack. What I have turned to is writing. I try to influence the world in a positive direction. It is very hard these days to get through all the noise and find an audience. However, I have long since learned to organize my life so that I am pretty much invulnerable to attack.