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How One Young Woman Is Using Art To Help Cope With Illness
"Painting was a way for me to escape and colour heal," explains Beant Maghera who was diagnosed with an illness near the end of last summer. But instead of letting it get her down she decided to channel all of her feelings into big, beautiful and vibrant pieces of arts.
She says “colours helped me a lot through my journey” because they allowed her to create some peace within herself. Painting also acted as a form of meditation to give her tranquility during the difficult times.
The 31-year-old Winnipeg, Manitoba native embarked on her art journey by splashing blue, red and yellow — among other colours — onto a canvas to create an abstract piece she calls Original Buddha, featuring the founder of Buddhism. She says working on that painting — her biggest to date — marked the first time she was able to use bright colours to express how she really felt about her diagnosis, something she has chosen to keep between her and her family.
The first painting Maghera created after being diagnosed with an illness, entitled Original Buddha.
Photo Credit: Beant Maghera
Photo Credit: Beant Maghera
Once she began painting she couldn’t stop. It opened the floodgates to several more pieces she went on to create on the kitchen table or living room floor of her Toronto condo. “My main [ . . . ] inspirations have been my family and being able to walk outside and be inspired by [ . . . ] nature. Spiritual leaders [like Guru Nanak] also have had a huge influence on my artwork.” Even iconic reggae artist Bob Marley and popular guitarist Jimmy Hendrix have been featured in her pieces.
Maghera, who is currently on leave with M.A.C Cosmetics, says whether it be through her work as a make-up artist or a painter, she has always had a creative bone in her body. She particularly likes the fact there are no rules when she paints. "It always just seems to come together at the end,” explains the self-taught artist who just looks at whatever colours are in front of her at the time and chooses to work with the one she is feeling at the moment.
One of Maghera's abstract pieces, entitled Temps de deux éléphants.
Photo Credit: Beant Maghera
Photo Credit: Beant Maghera
Other than her signature and usage of bright colours Maghera’s paintings do not have a staple item to tie them together; they are all unique. That’s partly a result of the different tools she finds around her apartment and experiments with — from spatulas to sponges and even plastic wall scrapers.
With several art pieces under her belt, Maghera says it’s hard to pick a favourite because she has an attachment to all of them and each one reflects what she was going through at that particular time. As for her painting journey she doesn't plan on ending it any time soon, admitting "it’s time to invest in an easel!”
If you’re interested in Maghera’s paintings, email her at [email protected].
Main Image Photo Credit: Beant Maghera
Neetu Seupersadsingh
Author
Neetu Seupersadsingh has loved writing for as long as she can remember. That's why Carleton University’s journalism program was her clear choice for post-secondary studies. In Ottawa, she was able to further develop her skill in arts, entertainment and lifestyle reporting. So...
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