Living in Hinton, Charlotte didn’t have to travel to take part in a Wellspring Alberta art program. She simply logged in from home.
Over four weeks, Charlotte joined participants from across Alberta for Discovering Frida Kahlo through Self-Portraiture, an online program led by long-time Wellspring program leader and artist Mark Vazquez-Mackay from Mexico City.
For Charlotte, the experience became an opportunity for meaningful self-reflection — and a reminder that Wellspring’s support and community can reach people wherever they are.
Unbound Expression
Wellspring’s art programs don’t just teach techniques; they create a safe environment for self-expression and personal growth. In Discovering Frida Kahlo through Self-Portraiture, more than 20 participants gathered virtually and were invited to explore symbolism and self-expression through the lens of Frida Kahlo.
“Every element in Kahlo’s work represents something that she wanted to give voice to,” said Mark. “Her paintings were heavily laden with metaphor and symbolism.”
As a child, Frida Kahlo survived polio, then at 18, she was in a devastating trolley accident and left bedridden in a full torso cast for months. While confined to her bed, she painted what she was enduring: her trauma, her physical barriers, and aspects of her identity.
“She made art not for others, but for herself, to process what she had lived through,” said Mark. So, while living in Mexico City, just blocks from where Kahlo had resided during those years, Mark says he had an epiphany. “I realized this would be an excellent theme for us to explore in class, a chance for Wellspring participants to process some of their own personal difficulties and challenges.”
Each week’s class began with a check-in, then participants were invited to examine Kahlo’s paintings and discuss what emotions or metaphors they observed. “There was no right or wrong way to view it,” said Mark. “Frida herself never shared what her paintings meant, so the symbolism might mean something different to every person viewing it.”
Then came the prompt to create. Participants were not pressured in any way, nor were they expected to finish a piece in four weeks, although most did, inspired to work on their paintings outside of program hours. During the class hours, many spent time sharing their thoughts, while also painting.
“It was a pretty special space — thoughtful, caring and inspiring,” said Mark.
When the class culminated with the group sharing their self-portraits, all were deeply meaningful, and Mark was pleased when one member accepted his request to share her work more widely.
“Charlotte created this remarkable piece that I think others can connect with. I think it speaks to a lot of people’s journeys,” said Mark.
For Charlotte, what was poured out on canvas was a personal journey, a self-portrait layered with memory, trauma, faith, heritage, and healing.
Unmasking Cancer Through Art
Charlotte says Wellspring Alberta has been a blessing to her after she received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023 at the age of 46. Early in her diagnosis, her doctor suggested she look into Wellspring. When she did, Charlotte was pleased to find many programs she could do from home while recovering from treatment.
“I’m so blessed with the online community at Wellspring, getting to connect with other cancer patients and survivors, and hearing their stories has been encouraging for me,” she said.
While Charlotte has participated in many of the programs offered through Wellspring, art has been her primary focus. “I never know what to expect from the programs I sign up for, but I’m always pleased I did, as I gained so much knowledge and insight through these programs,” she said.
“What I enjoyed about Discovering Frida Kahlo Through Self Portraiture is how art often acts as a mirror, reflecting our deepest thoughts and emotions. Learning about Frida Kahlo and how art inspired her to process and work through some of her deepest pains inspired me to put my experience on paper, reflecting on my own cancer journey,” Charlotte explained.
Charlotte was drawn to how Kahlo used symbolism to tell a story about her physical pain, emotional struggles and her identity. For Charlotte’s piece, she also used heavy symbolism throughout her painting.
“The symbolism was a wonderful way to look back and document my own struggles with cancer and what that means to me,” she said.
Key symbols in Charlotte’s work include the unmistakable scars of breast cancer and the mark of radiation. Her hospital gown morphs into the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, symbolizing her heritage and identity. Numbers in the painting represent an important timeline of her life: 77 for the year she was born and 23 for the year she was diagnosed. Tamoxifen being dumped out on the canvas, and the clouds around her head symbolize the brain fog she now experiences.
Every week in the art program brought interesting discussions and a new layer to the paintings the group were working on.
“I loved seeing and hearing the other participants in our group share what they were working on and about their own journey and how it impacted them. We all inspired each other!” said Charlotte.
For Charlotte, the impact of this art project extends beyond the canvas and, like other Wellspring programs, reinforces her feelings that connection plays a role in wellness.
Forward Focus
Going forward, Charlotte says she continues to be grateful for the loving support of her husband, family, and friends, as they have been her number one advocates throughout her journey. She also shares that she has found beautiful blessings within the hardship of a cancer diagnosis and that, with the help of her close inner circle and her Wellspring community, she will continue to process, release, and find grace in her story.