Paints & Emotions The art of Vanessa Zita Vanderidder “Life is not so much about what you want to do or be when you grow up… it’s more about understanding how your life needs you.” As of fifteen years ago, I’m sure that Vanessa Zita Vanderidder never would have thought that she would be making her mark in the world using paints and emotions. The turn of the century was a busy and exciting time for Vanessa, as she had recently completed her studies to become a worker for students that need special care because of their medical or behavioural challenges. For a couple of years, Vanessa worked as a supply teacher at a number of elementary schools throughout London. Life was unfolding in a rather straightforward way with many sturdy foundation blocks offering support. Then the unexpected happened… It was lunchtime and Vanessa was heading out on her break. The June air was warm and the vehicle’s windows were down, music was playing on the radio and the traffic light turned red. As she was waiting for the light to turn green, an overloaded gravel dumptruck was travelling through the intersection and large and small chunks of rock and gravel spilled over the top. A twenty pound rock hit the pavement and blew apart, sending smaller bits hurtling through the air… and Vanessa’s open window!
After several emergency operations, one of which saw a hand-sized fibrous plate reconstructing her skull, Vanessa became a two year resident at Parkwood Hospital’s Outpatients and physiotherapy sessions became a part of daily life. “I had to learn everything, all over again,” explained Vanessa, “from learning how to walk and talk to even the simplest of tasks like brushing my hair.” Family and friends continuously encouraged her, but it was Vanessa’s own steely determination that
moved her into a positive future. To help her right hand, Vanessa was brought small canvases and containers of paint. She found that the texture of the paint between her fingers as she blended colours together on the canvas helped with her motor skills as well as tactile recovery. “Working with my fingers is still one of the techniques that I use while I create my art”. The next five years, were filled with more healing and more physical exercise, but Vanessa was no longer living in the hospital, so she began the process of reconstructing her life. It was during this time that she began to experiment with larger canvases as well as different paints and painting tools, but, “after working with paint on my fingers for the first time, I fell in love.” Vanessa and her partner Marti McGrenere (who helps to promote Vanessa’s art as well as manage her website and social media) have enjoyed living in Byron for the last six years an they look forward to a colourful future. “I don’t know if I’ll ever fully recover from that accident,” shares Vanessa, “but as long as I can continue to find comfort and freedom in my art, I know that my healing will continue in a positive way.” To learn more about Vanessa Zita Vanderidder’s art creations, visit: vzitaart.com
PRIDE Villager
Page 11 Issue 6 • Spring 2021
To advertise here, please contact Barb@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs