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English version here  L'artiste peintre Zoé Boivin. Photo credit: Emmanuel Crombez En partenariat avec Alba, la talentueuse artiste peintre Zoé Boivin offre une de ses peintures originales MILAN en enchères pour collecter des fonds et promouvoir la sensibilisation de l'endométriose, l'infertilité et le cancer. L'une des missions d'Alba est d'inspirer, d'élever et d'éduquer grâce au pouvoir de l'art et aux individus qui le créent. L’enchère aura lieu en ligne sur la page Facebook d'Alba du 21 août au 26 août (20 hrs). L’initiative Alba cherche à sensibiliser le public et à entraider les personnes atteintes d’endométriose, d’infertilité, de cancer et de douleur chronique à travers des portraits, des témoignages, de l’art et des ressources.  Détail de MILAN, 2017 par Zoé Boivin. Acrylique, aquarelle, encre, gesso & pastel sur canevas, 16 x 16 pouces La poursuite de la joie « Que la joie soit ta boussole. » C’est la devise préférée de Zoé Boivin - une devise qui guide ses décisions dans son art et sa vie personnelle. En parlant à la fois de l'art et du bien-être, Zoé insiste sur l'importance de faire ce qui nous rend heureux, de suivre la joie, l'amour et la lumière. Pour Zoé, la peinture la fait sentir vivante et en accord avec soi-même au quotidien. « L’art m’apporte de la clarté d’esprit, de l’amour, de la joie, de l’excitation, du bien-être physique et mental. »  Crédit photo: Emmanuel Crombez L’art a toujours été une partie naturelle et intuitive de l’identité de Zoé, même s’il a fallu se recentrer pour le retrouver. «Depuis que je suis toute petite, j’ai toujours ressenti ce besoin de m’exprimer à travers différentes pratiques artistiques. En grandissant, je me suis éloignée de ma passion pour diverses raisons, souvent reliées à l’inconnu, aux autres ou à la peur. À l’âge de 24 ans, j’ai eu un gros changement dans ma vie personnelle qui m’a fait prendre un grand pas de recul face à ma vie en général, incluant mon cheminement professionnel. J’ai ensuite rapidement reconnecté avec ma vraie identité, celle d’être moi-même, d’être heureuse tout simplement en faisant ce que j’aime ; créer, comme quand j’étais toute petite! »   L'expérience personnelle de Zoé a façonné sa conviction que prendre le temps pour soi, pour le bien-être mental et physique, est essentiel pour faire face aux situations difficiles de la vie. « Il est très bénéfique de prendre des pauses dans son quotidien, parfois cela inclut de son entourage, afin de mieux se centrer, surtout avant d’avancer dans des grandes décisions comme une carrière, des relations, des choix de vie. Dans certains contextes, la solution est de prendre du recul face à ce qu’on a « créé » dans notre vie qui était moins en accord avec notre vraie joie intérieure. » « La pratique de l’expression des émotions par la peinture fut comme un appel inné, je savais que c’était cette direction que je devais suivre naturellement. »  Peindre des émotions Les peintures de Zoé sont pleines de couleurs, de formes et d'émotions. « Je peins l’humain sous une variété de formes, autant dans la noirceur que dans la lumière. J’explore les thèmes de la création identitaire, des valeurs, des intuitions, de la présence des influences externes et de la féminité. »  Zoé explique comment l'art sert de thérapie, d'expression, de connexion et de guérison. « L’art est une manière pour l’artiste d’exprimer son état d’être, son âme, son énergie et ses émotions à ce moment précis dans le temps à travers une œuvre de manière libre et authentique. Par la suite, les œuvres d’art circulent et elles viennent toucher certaines personnes qui se sentent en accord avec cette même énergie, et en sont inspirés simplement. Les œuvres aident à faire circuler les énergies, et contribuent donc au bien-être et à la santé mentale. »  Dans un processus qu'elle décrit comme une thérapie quotidienne, Zoé aborde une toile vierge avec un sentiment d'exploration spontanée. « Je prépare la plupart du temps une série de toile posées au sol, en faisant des taches d’encre et d’aquarelle, afin de créer une base qui inspirera le début de l’œuvre. J’écoute toujours de la musique en accord avec mes émotions à ce moment-là. Par la suite, la création se passe comme une forme de danse, de performance. J’observe mes mains danser sur la toile, et mes yeux choisissent les couleurs mais cela se fait de manière très rapide et non consciente. Je n’ai qu’à préparer mon environnement ainsi que mon état d’être, et la peinture se fait d’elle-même. »      « Je sais que l’œuvre est complète quand j’arrête de « danser » ; c’est-à-dire d’avancer et de reculer devant ma toile. Je sens que je n’ai plus rien à ajouter, que l’image est fixée dans le temps et dans l’univers, que j’ai accompli mon travail pour la journée. »     Changer le dialogue sur le bien-être Lorsque la peinture ne vient pas aussi naturellement, Zoé prend le temps de travailler sur soi-même. « Lorsque je vis des situations plus difficiles, je prends un moment sans travailler, juste à méditer, voir des gens qui me font sentir bien, puis explorer, par exemple à travers un voyage ou une escapade. J’ai toujours aimé l’eau et la montagne, ces endroits me relaxent beaucoup. Je dirais que la méditation au quotidien est ce qui m’aide le plus. » Zoé croit en une approche multidisciplinaire à la santé émotionnelle et physique. Les pratiques de l'art, du yoga et de la méditation aident à se recentrer sur soi-même. « Le système social semble en prendre conscience de plus en plus. Je suis enchantée de voir cette transformation. »  Crédit photo: Emmanuel Crombez  Zoé reconnaît combien il est difficile de vivre avec une maladie physique ou mentale invisible. « Je pense que la société a du travail à faire en ce qui attrait aux maladies invisibles. En effet, nous vivons aujourd’hui dans un monde d’images, et il devient très facile de s’y perdre. L’important est d’être soi-même, de s’écouter et de se respecter afin de rester en santé et dans un état naturel de joie, sans peur de jugement. »  Crédit photo: Emmanuel Crombez  Une œuvre originale et unique Zoé infuse son âme dans chaque toile, il n'est donc pas surprenant qu'elle trouve cela très difficile de se séparer d'une œuvre. « Je reste très attachée à mes œuvres. Je me console en me disant qu’une fois qu’elle est faite, l’œuvre ne m’appartient plus. »  Zoé est extrêmement généreuse de vouloir dédier sa peinture «MILAN» à la mission d'Alba afin promouvoir la sensibilisation de maladies invisibles, mais qui altèrent la vie, comme l'endométriose, l'infertilité et le cancer. Ensemble, nous espérons éduquer, inspirer et entraider. Nous aimerions motiver les personnes atteintes à survivre, à prospérer et à retrouver la lumière en faisant tomber les tabous et les jugements.  MILAN, 2017, Zoé Boivin, acrylique, aquarelle, encre, gesso & pastel sur canevas, 16 x 16 pouces  Crédit photo: Lat Photographe  Dirigez-vous vers la page Facebook d’Alba pour participer à l'enchère en ligne dès le 21 août à 20 heures. L'enchère prendra fin le dimanche 26 août à 20 heures. Pour en savoir plus sur Zoé, visitez sa page et suivez-la sur Instagram et Facebook. Pour en savoir plus sur Alba, rendez-vous sur notre page et suivez l'initiative sur Instagram et Facebook. 
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Version française ici  Artist Zoé Boivin. Photo credit: Emmanuel Crombez Talented Canadian artist Zoé Boivin is auctioning off her original painting "MILAN" to raise awareness and funding for endometriosis, infertility and cancer in partnership with Alba. Funds collected will serve as donations to research and awareness programs on endometriosis, infertility and cancer. The auction takes place online on the Alba Facebook page between Tuesday, August 21 (8 PM EST) and Sunday, August 26 (8 pm EST). Alba’s mission is to shine light on endometriosis, female cancers, infertility and chronic pain one courageous individual at a time, through portraits, stories, art and resources.  Detail of "Milan", 2017. Acrylic, watercolor, ink, gesso and pastel on canvas, 16 x 16 inches The pursuit of joy “Let joy be your compass”. That is Zoé Boivin's favorite motto – one that guides her decisions in art and in life. When speaking both about art and about wellness, Zoé emphasizes the importance of doing what makes you come alive, following your joy and aligning yourself toward love and light. For Zoé, painting is what makes her feel centered and alive daily. “Art brings me clarity of mind, love, joy, excitement and well-being, both physical and mental”.  Photo credit: Emmanuel Crombez Art has always been a natural and intuitive part of Zoé’s identity, although it took getting reacquainted with herself to find it again. “Since I was a little girl, I have always felt the need to express myself through artistic creations. Growing up, I moved away from my passion, often because of uncertainty, fear or due to others. At the age of 24, a big change in my personal life led me to take a step back in my career path, and life in general. I then reconnected with my true self and felt happiness in simply doing what I love – creating, just like when I was little!”   Zoé’s own life experience has shaped her belief that taking time for mental and physical self-care is vital to cope with life’s surprises and difficult situations. "It’s very beneficial to take breaks in life, at times even from those around us, to better center ourselves, especially before moving forward in projects or major decisions or life choices. In many cases, the solution comes from taking a step back from whatever we “created” in our life that was less aligned with our inner compass.” “The practice of expressing emotions through painting was like an innate calling. I knew it was that direction that I had to pursue.”  Painting emotions Zoé’s paintings are full of color, shapes and emotions. “I paint beings in a variety of forms, as much in the darkness as in the light. I explore themes of identity, values, intuitions, the presence of external forces and femininity.”  Zoé discusses how art serves as therapy, expression, connection and healing. "Art is a way for the artist to express his or her state of being, energy and emotions at that precise moment in time through a work, in a free and authentic way. Subsequently, works of art circulate and they come to touch individuals who feel in alignment with this same energy or who are inspired by it. Artworks help to circulate energies, and thus contribute to our well-being and mental health."  In a process she describes as her daily therapy, Zoé approaches a blank canvas with a sense of spontaneous exploration. "Most of the time, I prepare a series of canvases on the floor, making ink and watercolor spots to create a base that will inspire the beginning of the work. I always listen to music in accordance with my emotions at that time. Subsequently, the creation happens as a form of dance. I observe my hands dancing on the canvas, and my eyes choose the colors but this is done very quickly and not consciously. I only have to prepare my environment as well as my state of being, and the painting is done by itself."      "I know that the work is complete when I stop 'dancing', when I stop moving to and from the canvas. When I feel that I have nothing more to add, that the image is fixed in time and in the universe, I have accomplished my work for the day."     Changing the dialogue on well-being When painting doesn’t flow as easily, Zoé takes the time to work on herself. "In difficult situations, I take a break from work to meditate, to surround myself with positive people who make me feel good and to explore. I have always loved the water and the mountains – they relax me greatly. I would say that daily meditation is what has helped me the most." Zoé believes in a multidisciplinary approach to emotional and physical health. Practices of art, yoga and meditation help refocus on one’s inner self. "Society is acknowledging this more and more, and I am delighted to see this transformation."  Photo credit: Emmanuel Crombez  Zoé acknowledges how difficult it is to live with an invisible physical or mental illness. "I think society has a lot of work to do in the case of invisible illnesses. Indeed, we live in a world of images, and it becomes very easy to get lost. The important thing is to be oneself, to listen to oneself and to respect oneself to stay centered, healthy and in a natural state of joy, without fear of judgment from others."  Photo credit: Emmanuel Crombez  A one-of-a-kind piece Zoé infuses so much of her being into her work, it is no surprise that she finds it very difficult to part with a piece. "I remain very attached to each of my works. I console myself by telling myself that once a piece is done, it no longer belongs to me."  It is extremely generous of Zoé to dedicate her painting "MILAN" to Alba’s mission of raising awareness for invisible but life-altering illnesses like endometriosis, infertility and cancer. Together, we hope to empower, uplift and inspire individuals worldwide to survive, thrive and find the light, in spite of taboos and judgments.  MILAN, 2017, Zoé Boivin. Acrylic, watercolor, ink, gesso and pastel on canvas, 16 x 16 inches  Photo credit: Lat Photographe  To participate in the online auction, find all the details on Alba’s Facebook page. For more about Zoé, visit her page and follow her on Instagram and Facebook. For more about Alba, visit our page and follow as we raise awareness on Instagram and Facebook.   EN-DOH-MEE-TREE-OH-SIS. Here are a few truths and false assumptions we want the world to understand. Endometriosis is:1. Misdiagnosed and misunderstood. YES, even to this day. There are many challenges in diagnosing endometriosis, as surgery is the only definitive way and it is often a "last resort". 2. Physically and mentally exhausting. Symptoms vary but their impact on sufferers' lives, relationships and mental well-being is not to be taken lightly. 3. Manageable (not curable) with interdisciplinary care strategies. These take a long time to figure out and self-care can almost become a full-time job. What works well varies from person to person but nutritional changes, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, yoga and other types of exercise and some medications can help. 4. Highly variable Endometriosis is puzzling to doctors because of its high variability; the degree of pain experienced is not related to the size or locations of the lesions.  Endometriosis is not:1. Just a painful period. Many women experience pain at other points in the cycle, such as, but NOT limited to, ovulation. Some have pain almost all the time. 2. Just pain. While symptoms are not the same for everyone, many patients experience fatigue, nausea, bloating, digestive issues, fertility complications and negative effects on mental health. Some have no symptoms at all. 3. Just limited to uterus and ovaries. Endometriosis can be found on the surface or inside organs in the abdomen / pelvis, but also on abdominal walls, ligaments, muscle tissue, nerves and even up in the diaphragm or the lungs. 4. Always equated with infertility. About 60-70% of women with endometriosis have NO trouble conceiving. It depends on many factors, among them the stage of the disease and whether intervention occurred early. 5. Curable through a hysterectomy, pregnancy or menopause. A hysterectomy can alleviate pain from uterine diseases like adenomyosis but not endometriosis, especially since endometriosis can be anywhere. Pregnancy may temporarily suppress symptoms but should never be recommended as a "cure". Menopause may prevent new lesions from forming but may not remove the pain. One of Alba's missions is open up the conversation about endometriosis in a way that is accurate. Follow us over time as we interview health professionals and share numerous resources from a range of sources.  A little preview of an art piece in the Alba collection! We can't wait to share all the beautiful items in our curated collection when the site goes live. All beautiful products designed by artists to highlight themes of femininity, resilience, solidarity, wellness, fertility or maternity. The featured pieces change on a monthly basis! The Alba collection is intended to uplift and inspire, through beautiful objects and their beautiful creators. Many of them have a personal story to share, a reason why Alba's mission is so dear to their heart. Stay tuned to discover them soon! (P.s. If you're an artist and you'd like to be involved, just reach out!) This lovely botanical uterus is by the endearing and wildly talented Mathilde Cinq Mars Illustration. Thank you Mathilde for supporting Alba's mission and touching many through your art!  "I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot. Together, we can do great things" - Mother Teresa. If there is one thing that we learn through our battles against brutal realities like endometriosis, cancer and infertility, it's that there is much solace and strength to be found in others who have been on the same path. There is a great deal of isolation, frustration and anxiety that could be felt during physically or emotionally difficult days. But there is also something beautiful in the thought that others - strangers, all around the world - have their hand lovingly on our back. A year ago, I never would have believed you if you'd told me I would talk so openly about endometriosis, cancer and infertility. That I would write so openly about it, in a book or on social media. That I'd try to start a movement, finally joining in on the conversations that my fellow "endo sisters" have long started before me. I want to hit these messages home for those who watch from the outside. I also want to uplift those who live it from the inside. Not through my voice but through our collective voice. Tomorrow is March 1st, and so begins endometriosis awareness month. Let all the campaigns remind you of the great things we can achieve together, and that you are not alone.  Did you know that chronic pelvic pain can be managed through diet? The BC Women's Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis explains: "Many women with chronic pelvic pain also have a condition called central sensitization of the nervous system. Sensitization can be reduced. Inflammation is a contributor to chronic pain, and so following an anti-inflammatory diet can help to reduce pain." Among their many helpful recommendations are to increase: - vegetable proteins (brightly colored fruits and vegetables, nuts) - low-glycemic vegetables and fruits (berries, cherries, apples, pears) - foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids (cold water fish, leafy greens, nuts) - foods high in fiber - foods that contain anti-oxidants (onion, garlic) - spices and herbs that contain anti-inflammatory properties (ginger, cloves, nutmeg, rosemary, oregano, turmeric, cayenne) What's your go-to for breakfast in the morning? How do you kick off your day?  |
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