MY 'COYOTE HAND' JOURNEY
On the night of June 29, 2023, I had an unexpected encounter with a mother coyote while taking a late-night shortcut through a wooded trail. The encounter resulted in a devastating injury to my right hand — my wrist was broken, and all of the tendons were completely severed.
Two weeks later, I underwent surgery to implant a metal plate and pins, and to repair the damaged tendons through grafting and a tendon transfer. The road to recovery was daunting — filled with physical pain, emotional struggle, and a profound loss of independence. Everyday tasks became monumental challenges. Creating art — my lifeline — suddenly felt out of reach. I was staring down a two-year recovery, with no guarantee of full use returning to my dominant hand.
Occupational therapy quickly became a cornerstone of my healing process. My therapist encouraged me to bring creativity into my rehabilitation. Rather than simply writing my name or squeezing strengthening balls, I was nudged to use palette knives instead of butter knives, play with plaster and playdough, and get my hands messy again — quite literally. Art wasn’t just therapy; it became part of my weekly physio homework. I was rebuilding my hand — and rediscovering myself — through creation.
In the midst of this, I found myself overwhelmed by thoughts — at first angry and negative, but eventually, more hopeful. That inner monologue led to my textured word art: bold, simple words that reflected my mental and emotional state. Some pieces express frustration; others are empowering, inspirational, or light-hearted. All are honest.
Much like myself, the materials I use often carry a history. Many of my pieces are created on old, gifted, repurposed, or even damaged canvases — surfaces that might once have been discarded, now transformed with texture, feeling, and intention. These imperfect foundations have become part of my process, mirroring the beauty of resilience and the power of second chances. My art now carries the marks of resilience — literal and figurative — and tells a story of transformation. Though my hand will never fully recover, I’ve found deep joy and renewed purpose in the act of making. Creating with what I have, where I am, continues to ground me. Each piece is layered, imperfect, and one-of-a-kind — just like this journey.
Thank you for your support. I’m honoured to share this path with you and grateful to be creating again, one piece at a time.
For more context on the video above, feel free to check out my Instagram Reels.
a little About me
I'm a self-taught artist and crafter, born in Poland, raised in Scarborough, ON, and now living in Oshawa with my partner and our lively Rottweiler, Marley. Despite a 20+ year career as an Executive Assistant, I felt unfulfilled in the corporate world.
A DIY project on Pinterest sparked my interest in crafting, especially using glitter as a painting medium. This passion grew from personal projects to a full-fledged studio filled with art supplies.
In March 2020, I broke my ribs in a fall, and the pandemic turned my studio into a home office, halting my creativity. With the support of my sisters, I healed and realized the brevity of life. About a year later, I quit my '9-5' job to pursue my dream of being a full-time artist.
Now, creating in my studio brings me joy and serves as therapy, allowing me to embrace my authentic self.
a little about my studio
Welcome to my world of handmade creations, where every piece is crafted with love, authenticity and the occasional swear word.
Despite a hand injury, I've honed my focus and discovered what brings me joy. Inspired by textures, florals, and sparkles, my creations feature acrylic paints, glitter, plaster, modeling paste, resin, paper, flowers, and more.
Originally centered around glitter, my art has evolved to explore textured floral and minimalistic motivational styles. Each piece tells a story of resilience and passion.
Explore my resin offerings, including coasters with signature coffee bean designs and dried flowers, monogram keychains, jewelry trays and ring holders. Each piece is a unique expression of artistry.
Paper crafting is a personal favorite, evident in my decorative shadowboxes. I meticulously hand-roll every flower, creating seasonal decor or pieces with empowering messages.