From Diabetes Lay Educator to New Beginnings: How I Found My Second Passion in Art
For most of my life, helping people was more than a career — it was a calling. I spent many years as a diabetes lay educator, and then became at Registered Nurse (at the age of 50) all the while guiding patients and families through one of the most important aspects of their health journey. It was a role that gave me purpose, and I truly loved it. But a few years ago, life circumstances shifted, and I had to set aside that chapter.
What I didn’t know then was that a new passion was waiting to be discovered.
A Lifelong Love of Photography
Since childhood, I’ve been fascinated by photographs. I can still remember the excitement of using a simple Instamatic camera as a schoolgirl, capturing little moments of life. Over the years, my cameras changed — from film SLRs to the smartphones we all carry today — but the joy of taking photos never left me.
Like many, I collected thousands of digital photos: sunsets, landscapes, flowers, birds, and buildings from near and far. They lived in folders and hard drives, admired briefly but never fully used. And then came the COVID-19 Pandemic — a time that reshaped the way many of us viewed our lives. For me, it opened the door to creativity.
Discovering a New Artistic Voice
One day, I stumbled across an online photo enhancement tool. Out of curiosity, I uploaded one of my photos and began experimenting. The result surprised me — colours shifted, textures emerged, and something entirely new appeared on the screen. I decided to turn that image into a get-well card for a friend. When they received it, their reaction was priceless: they were amazed.
That moment was the spark. It turned out I had an “eye” for this, and my imagination soared. I began experimenting with colour, abstraction, and effects, each photo becoming less about capturing reality and more about reimagining it.
The Art of Transformation
Today, I describe myself not just as a photographer, but as a creator. My process involves “nudging” my photos into something new — enhancing them with artistic effects, layering in mood, mystery, or whimsy, and letting each piece evolve naturally. Some become note cards, others grow into wall art or tabletop pieces.
But the transformation doesn’t stop there. I also collect second-hand frames and refurbish them by hand. With a fresh coat of paint designed to complement the image, frame and artwork become one — a cohesive piece with new life.
Becoming an Artist
Looking back, I see how these steps added up to something bigger. The nurse in me cared deeply for people’s wellbeing, and the artist in me now finds joy in creating works that spark emotion, reflection, and connection. During the pandemic, I didn’t just find a new hobby; I found a new identity. I became, in every sense of the word, an artist.
And while the paths of nursing and art may seem far apart, both share a common thread: they’re about touching lives. Whether through education or through creativity, my hope is that the work I do continues to bring people comfort, inspiration, and joy.