-Story by Angela Cowan

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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Gazing at Lucie MarloB次元官网网址檚 utterly unique abstract paintings at her home in Broadmead, itB次元官网网址檚 abundantly clear that art is in her blood. But as we sit down to chat and she hands me a plate of peanut butter cookies (healthy, she swears) and a cup of Moringa tea, we actually start our conversation talking about health.

Food is so important and such a vital part of living well, she says, explaining that while she grew up surrounded by art, she actually has a PhD in nutrition.

B次元官网网址淢y father was a well-known artist in Europe, and it was feast or famine growing up,B次元官网网址� she explains. B次元官网网址淚t was a hard childhood.B次元官网网址�

Born in Quebec City, Lucie moved with her family to her fatherB次元官网网址檚 home country of Montenegro when she was five, and stayed there until they came back to Canada six years later.

Growing up with the constant shadow of lack affected her deeply, and although Lucie had an undeniable passion for art B次元官网网址� as early as five years old, she would hide in the corner of her fatherB次元官网网址檚 studio and just watch him paint B次元官网网址� she pushed it away for a long time.

B次元官网网址淚 was too afraid of putting my family through what I went through as a child.B次元官网网址�

Instead, she was drawn to her other passion, health and wellness, achieved her doctorate, and inspired by her mother B次元官网网址� who went back to school and got her doctorate in her sixties B次元官网网址� Lucie opened and managed several multi-disciplinary health clinics in Winnipeg, staying in that role for more than a decade.

But threads of her early love kept creeping in, and one evening, after having dinner with her brother, she took a brush to a blank canvas sheB次元官网网址檇 been staring at for days. She woke up the next morning still lying next to the canvas, brush in hand, having stayed up until 4 am painting in her now-distinct abstract style.

B次元官网网址淭his is what my soul created,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭his is what came pouring out.B次元官网网址�

Shortly after, Lucie made the difficult decision to sell the clinics and focus on her art, despite the uncertainty of her path. She also made the move from Winnipeg out to Victoria, her B次元官网网址渉eaven on earth.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 came to Victoria B次元官网网址� and be still my heart B次元官网网址� I went insane. I didnB次元官网网址檛 know there was such a place!B次元官网网址�

Inspired in part by her gorgeous new environment, her distinct abstract style quickly made waves in the art community, and upscale collectors and sheer lovers of art both came knocking.

B次元官网网址淚 have an amazing problem. I have people who collect my artwork regularly,B次元官网网址� she laughs.

Over the years, collectors have been so enthusiastic about getting their hands on her work, sheB次元官网网址檚 barely had the time to get her pieces into galleries before theyB次元官网网址檝e sold. Needless to say, the positive reactions made it easier for her to commit to her art.

B次元官网网址淚t makes all the difference when people believe in you and your art,B次元官网网址� she says, describing a woman who bought painting after painting, until Lucie finally asked why she was collecting so many. B次元官网网址淪he said she thought they were going to appreciate, and she was going to leave them to her grandchildren. I started to cry. I really thought, B次元官网网址業 have so many people believing in me, I have to give it my best shot.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

LucieB次元官网网址檚 been painting full time for the last 16 years, but sheB次元官网网址檚 remained true to her other passion of health, and also to making the world a better place.

B次元官网网址淚 couldnB次元官网网址檛 turn my back on what I know. IB次元官网网址檓 painfully aware of the need out there, so I donate a percentage of what I make.B次元官网网址�

Her experiences in Montenegro and the desperate need of its one orphanage stuck with her. Now, Lucie donates a percentage of the sales from her paintings to the Mladost Bijela orphanage in Herceg Novi, Montenegro, which has housed more than 2,000 children and teenagers since it opened in 1946. She also spearheaded a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society last September in support of breast cancer research, and she continues to search for more ways to give back to her home community of Victoria and beyond.

B次元官网网址淚 still miss working in the clinic. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why I fundraise,B次元官网网址� she says, and pauses. B次元官网网址淪elling the clinics was the hardest thing IB次元官网网址檝e ever done. I had two passions, and this one wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be denied. This is really what I feel I was meant to do. It just took me a while to give myself permission.B次元官网网址�

None of it would have ever come to fruition were it not for the incredible support sheB次元官网网址檇 been blessed with from those that loved her throughout, especially her mother.

B次元官网网址淢y mom is my hero,B次元官网网址� she says with a heartfelt conviction that makes me want to hug my own mom. B次元官网网址淚 had a mom who really encouraged my passion. She wanted me to follow my heart.B次元官网网址�

She adds with a laugh, B次元官网网址淪he was actually more excited at my gallery opening than when I got my doctorate.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲hen youB次元官网网址檙e fortunate enough to do what you love the most, and people appreciate it, itB次元官网网址檚 a dream come true,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t feels so good to be in harmony.B次元官网网址�

Lucie spends part of the year in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, and while sheB次元官网网址檚 out of the country, Danisha Drury from Design District Access acts as her exclusive liaison in Victoria. For more information on LucieB次元官网网址檚 work, call Danisha at 888-590-8598, or visit .