I am an action orientated person, partially because that is how I heal; through work, the stroke of a paintbrush, the swing of a kettle bell, the leap of faith it sometimes takes to open my mouth (or to shut it). One of my recovery goals was to have an art show. Nothing fancy, not about selling art, or becoming a successful or polished artist. It was about seeing something through, about sticking with an idea long enough to pull it off. It was about showcasing the bad ass women who persevered through and with all the things threatening to hold them back.

From sexual abuse, to substance use disorder and mental health challenges, these women were about overcoming.

They proved to me that recovery was possible and cheered me on by simply existing.

These are their faces.