is Where the Art Is annual competition and received awards for her beautiful paintings. She spends her mornings gardening, and the days creating art, be it crochet, painting, or drawing. “I don’t stop, I can’t stop.” Her new home has given her the space to be her fullest self – it’s her sanctuary to create and heal in. Her friendship with Ebony, brings her enormous joy. “I have new avenues to be able to grieve now. I’ve never been more supported.” Recently, Rae went on holiday to a farm with her friend. “There were three shooting stars. My friend said make a wish, and I said, ‘I’ll wish for someone else.’”
her things from the CBD to her new home on her own. “I had no one.” She also experienced complications during surgery, which worsened the recovery and made the moving process even more difficult. “I could hardly move, but I’m packing the house … it was just the hope of getting out,” she says. Rae is now cancer free, finally able to enjoy her life that she is so deserving of, with her two cats, Blues and Jas. After moving to her “forever home” in Nunawading, she developed a fast friendship with her neighbour, Ebony, who is now Rae’s best friend. Ebony showed Rae her art, encouraging Rae to try her hand at it. Rae, lacking confidence, was sceptical of her ability. “She showed me how to finger paint. I’d never finger painted before. It’s incredible, I was sitting there laughing. I cried … I never did anything like that.” Finally, she was making the colours that she’s “always loved and always seen” from days in the garden with her father. Soon enough, Rae placed her trust in Ebony and joined Ebony’s art classes. It’s been a few years of Rae creating art and she’s never looking back. “I cry, it’s so silly. But it’s so exciting, I feel like I’m bursting.” Rae has entered her work in Housing Choices’ Home
After Rae’s friend asked why she’s using her wishes on someone else, Rae said “There’s nothing I need or want. I have everything I need and everything I could possibly want … I’m so fortunate.” Rae’s last Christmas was spent with Ebony, her first festive season “not as Christmas orphan” in a long time. Rae and Ebony passed on their love and support to a friend who’s been struggling, by inviting her to Christmas and buying her a gift voucher together. Rae says it’s “wonderful to be in the position” to be able to give. “This is home, this is paradise. This is heaven.”
Above: Rae's garden.
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