My name's Glenn Vaags, I'm the Owner / Artist behind GV Artistry. To say that becoming an artist was the most unexpected turn of events in my lifetime so far is an understatement. But I'd be crazy if I told you it's not the single greatest thing I have done.

It's impossible to predict what the future holds but... I try to live a life built upon routine. It's far easier to manage my mental health when I have a solid foundation.

Allow me to take you back and start from the beginning.

Over the last several years, I've sought out various therapy methods, prescriptions, and counselling for my mental health. There's been a few things that have worked for me but none so impactful as creating art. Any art. It's as if the anxious energy within me subsides because it has a truly beautiful outlet.

I had been attending group therapy sessions for individuals with mental health. My favorite time had been the sessions that involved coloring in mandelas. The focus that had consistently eluded me had finally been find, it was if my anxious mind had been shut off. And so I began coloring in my spare time, which eventually evolved into me trying some new avenues.

For years I have loved the simple method of spray painting. The motion back and forth. Mother's Day 2015 was coming up and I needed to come up with a gifts for the women in my life. I decided to purchase an Ed Roth's stencil book. That book was so simple, the designs perfect for what I needed. Gifts were made, well received, and a mental note was made.

After Mother's Day was a couple friends birthdays. Two friends who really loved Batman and by extension the other characters involved. I set out to sketch a couple Jokers and create my own stencils. To say they were well received would be an understatement, my friend has loved the paintings since first seeing them.

Getting some fuel and confidence in this new hobby I went off the deep end. I signed up to be an Artist vendor at a local gaming convention. I started sketching like a dude gone wild. In 8 weeks I had sketched, stenciled, and spray painted over paintings! I started driving all over Vancouver Island buying up as many blank canvases as I could find. I went to Campbell River, Duncan, Nanaimo, and I shopped locally in Courtenay. I had stacks of blank 11"x14" and 16"x20" stretched canvases and panels. I just threw myself into it. I had anxiety, I had stress, but I felt a new energy in me and I had to pursue it.

My first convention was a success by all measurements. I only wanted to make a bit of money back to keep buying more spray cans and canvases. I ended up paying for my materials and three more conventions. The success has continued, and in evolving my hobby into a business I've moved into three retail locations selling my paintings in Victoria, Nanaimo, and Courtenay British Columbia. As well as my online presence through Etsy, Facebook, Instagram, and www.gvartistry.ca

As I mentioned at the start I live with mental health. I live with depression, bipolarity, and anxiety. I try not to let it control my life. I consistently try to do my best each and every day. But for anyone that lives with depression your best can sometimes be just getting out of bed. For anyone living with mental health that reads this; know that you matter. There is some fucking reason you are here. We all have some thread to weave in our destiny.

I encourage everyone to create your life from what you're truly passionate about. Try new things, experiment, soak in every moment, but just get out there and do something.

Aloha!

Glenn Vaags – Owner / Artist