As A Visual Artist cont'd
Of course, many of her first images were young, even childlike, but that all made sense since she hadn't drawn since she was a child, so conditioned to believe that art was of no value.
Then paintings sold. And were exhibited and comparisons to Van Gogh, a happy Emily Carr and others rolled off of people's tongues.
Encouraged to keep exploring, she then worked at a gallery that sold reproductions, where much was learned about colour, art and framing. And where she also learned that many Canadians do not buy original art as they prefer to to buy reproduction instead, for various reasons.
Moving along through periods of no creativity to intense creativity, Debra, who had now changed her legal first name to Kaitlin to reflect who she felt she really was, versus returning to her maiden last name, Trepanier. Kaitlin Ann Webber now moved forward, albeit very slowly.
THE NEW BEGINNING
The initial dream when Kaitlin received her wake-up call in her mid-thirties was to become the person she has become -- creative, artistic, independnet, entrepreneurial, philanthropic and a role model.
Though the process of coming into her own has been long and hard, the rewards have been and are great, most notably the peace and calm which in turn continues to create wealth of all kinds. Now with her individuated self at the helm of her own ship, her own life, Kaitlin is utilizing all her experience, research, study, observations, interviews, knowledge and even a bit of wisdon to create the life she dreamt of.
As an artist of many mediums and as a soul who loves people and believes in their inherent right to respect, peace, healthy and happy lives, Kaitlin uses her skills to encourage other to discover "the original in themselves" and to respect themselves and others, while continuously trying to walk her talk as she continues to grow in her new ways of life and living.
With a knowing smile, Kaitlin smiles at the thought of overnight success when asked how has this all happened so fast, because she knows as do many others, based on the volume of biographies of the many "overnight successes," that she has read, that overnight successes really are the culmination and effect of a chosen journey which takes time and cannot be measured well by the current mainstream societal standards.
In truth, the destination is, as Kaitlin would say, our return home to where we came from, and this is just a trip to experience, like most adventures.
Kaitlin's unique style of primarily relief-style visual art can be seen on her website, though the high-texture detail combined with the often subtle monochromatic images do not present themselves well in that format. Contact her form location of artwork to view, check out comments about her artwork, for purchases and requested commissions. Her commission artwork sales are growing substantially this past year and large paintings for big spaces (over sofas, beds, in stairwells and long hallways) are her specialty. And she works with most subjects including impressionistic images in relief style of people's homes and their favourite spaces. Her unique 100% guarantee is that she paints till a customer is satisfied and that guarantee sets her apart from many other artists. That confidence serves Kaitlin's customers and her art career very well.
As an insightful, creative and organized individual who has often created or worked on special projects as she saw th need, this fall, after pilot testing her idea this past spring with Dufferin Peel Region Catholic District School Baord, Kaitlin as administrator as well as author, creator and one of the facilitators that is taking her "It's All About Respect" safe school/community anti-bullying "Charles' Choice" and Charly's Choice" student performance workshops, plays and events for secondary and elementary students to our Ontario schools and beyond.
Also, based on the same premise of respect that fuelled Charles' and Charly's Choice, the same premise of the need for self-individuation and the challenges our society impinges to create our dominant impoverished thinking and its effects, Kaitlin continues with her writings as autho of her second book, "The Impoverished Mind - What's Killing Us and Our Children" and her personal and commuity growth workshops, "The Original in You."
Besides working in partnershop to establish a Canadian Blood Services Donour Clinic on Lakeshore Road W. in Etobicoke since her move into the community a few months ago, wrapping up a part-time four-month contract this August at the envionmentally conscious Birds and Beans Roastery and Coffee House and in-between her different callings, you can often find Kaitlin walking, cycling or just painting, still focusing on becoming the whole original she is meant to be in her new home of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, this September 2006.
"The Original in You" was great! " Lori Reville
"Kaitlin encouraged me to value and respect my self and my money. I respect her energy and clear mind and I liked hearing about independence and the skill of negotiation. " Latifa Lodin
"Kaitlin reminded me to look inside myself for answers to the big questions as it is easy to lose track of your inner strengths and it is important to be reminded. She motivated me to continue my search. Thank you. Your talks hit home." Maria Bofay
"I believe many should take this course as she taught me something new and I am grateful that she shared her story." Suzanne Fliegel
COMMENTS FROM HER WORK REFERENCES, CLICK HERE