Member-only story
About Me — Barbara Carter
Self-discovery and inner healing.
Much about what makes me who I am stems from my unusual childhood. My family took in boarders, both young and old. This introduced me to a sadder, darker side of life.
On the flip side, there was a dead sea captain’s house, two doors down from my family’s home. Various kinds of people came to rent there, exposing me to hippies, artists, a rock band, and the first black man in our neighbourhood.
We lived in Nova Scotia, Canada. Across the harbour from the small scenic town of Mahone Bay.
I was the only biological child. My younger sister was adopted. Three cousins grew up with us. Many were worse off than me. I didn’t recognize my abuse until my thirties.
Our family never travelled. The world had to come to us.
As a child, I learned to draw around the age of ten. Before that, I loved colouring books. Colouring books provided the power of choice. I was able to decide what colour to use. Nobody telling me how to do it.
Drawing became something I learned to do on my own. Art was not taught in the schools I attended.
Drawing was a connection to something greater. Creating took me to a peaceful place. Gave me what our family’s Lutheran religion couldn’t.
