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Creating happy memories and spreading hope.
Creating happy memories and spreading hope.
About the Artist
About the Artist
Rebecca is a survivor of a traumatic brain injury. After a serious car accident, she struggled to read at a first grade level, let alone pursue her dream career. She turned to painting watercolors to create hope on her darkest days. She originally considered her artwork to be trash and often could only hold her paintbrush for a few minutes.
But as she climbed insurmountable mountains, her paintings became treasured stories of hope, heart, and healing.
Hearing impairment didn't stop me from moving abroad or learning languages.
Hearing impairment didn't stop me from moving abroad or learning languages.
Growing up with a hearing impairment, I remember never seeing examples of other hearing-impaired children in books, movies, art, or entertainment. I recently met a child who said to me, “You are the first person I’ve ever met like me!” It doesn’t matter whether a person has a hearing impairment, brain injury, or invisible illness.
We all need hope, happiness, and belonging to live joyfully despite our individual challenging circumstances.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
I write stories, paint watercolors, compile community resource lists, submit grant proposals, and publish research. I currently spread hope as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who advocates for homeless families, trauma victims, and at-risk children.
My watercolor paintings tell a story of hope and healing. I paint abstracts and landscapes to share my joy, hope, light, optimism, and strength.
My artwork is unique because 7 years ago, I had to learn how to paint all over again after sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury in a car accident. Actually, it was much more than that. I had to learn how to read again! For the first year, I was unable to read, plan, or search online for painting references. I couldn’t navigate social media, watch movies, or even listen to podcasts or music.
It was a slow process but I discovered my creativity still exists despite limitations. Before my brain injury, I painted landscapes, cultures, and people in a detailed realistic style. I even painted watercolor landscapes plein air in Italy (which is another story—we sold everything to move abroad).
Now my painting style is more impressionistic, minimalistic, loose, and abstract. I still experience visual processing difficulties and sensitivities to light and sound which demand I take frequent breaks. I paint smaller and take longer to finish visually demanding tasks. I often paint at dusk and in silence because of my health needs. Music used to help my creativity flow but silence helps me minimize cognitive fatigue so I can handle painting longer. I also paint from my heart using my imagination or memory of places rather than recreating reference photos.
Painting in watercolors became one of the few things I could do to manage the extreme pain I experienced (my head felt like it was on fire). My paintbrush literally saved my life, healed my brain, and still helps relieve my daily migraines. I love that my paintings bring hope and healing to other people too.
Your art is so encouraging! You are an inspiration to us all! Your light and message of hope shines!!
Your art is so encouraging! You are an inspiration to us all! Your light and message of hope shines!!
Lisa S.
This is amazing! What an inspiration you are! Thank you for battling through and sharing your beauty with us. The world needs your art.
This is amazing! What an inspiration you are! Thank you for battling through and sharing your beauty with us. The world needs your art.
Amy C.
Sometimes I just want to go live in one of your paintings for a while... such peace and order and safety. You touch hearts!
Sometimes I just want to go live in one of your paintings for a while... such peace and order and safety. You touch hearts!
Theresa Y.
Pain and fear won't stop me from creating happy memories and spreading hope.
Pain and fear won't stop me from creating happy memories and spreading hope.
My paintings tell a story of hope, heart, and healing. Every purchase from Artsy Paint is a way to send hope to someone else. A portion of proceeds will be donated towards brain health initiatives. Also, your purchase can make a difference in my personal life as I’m living with a Traumatic Brain Injury myself.
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