Dear Reader,

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When I moved to Canada, my world fell apart. I was increasingly isolated from my friends and family in the U.S. and began to fully understand the extent of the abuse in my marriage. My children were only five and nine years old at the time. Because of the Hague Convention, I was told I could not leave Canada with them, and since I was in the process of obtaining my permanent residency, my options were painfully limited. I lived in constant fear—fear of losing my children and fear of what would happen to them if their father got even partial custody.

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I made the difficult decision to stay in the abusive relationship, choosing to be a buffer between my children and their father until they were old enough for us to leave. To cope with this incredibly difficult time, I turned to my art. Painting became my solace, my refuge. Teaching painting became my saving grace. Through teaching, I found friends who became like family. These friends embraced me and kept me going every single day. Painting, teaching, and these friendships gave me confidence, hope, and the strength to keep moving forward.

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By 2015, my home life had deteriorated to a terrifying level. I lived in fear for my life, my mind and body barely holding together. Then one day, we had no choice but to leave. My daughter was in her first year of university, and my son was in high school. My son and I fled to a safe house in Victoria, BC, where we eventually received police protection. My daughter was placed in a safe house on her campus. I cannot express how deeply grateful I am for that safe house. It was there that we found the resources to help us survive the legal battles that my ex waged for three years in an attempt to manipulate and control us. It was there that we found understanding, comfort, and support.

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During that time, I also wrote my book, Watercolor 365. I had discovered that painting was not just my career—it was my lifeline. I knew I needed to share the joy and healing power of watercolor with the world.

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Because I know firsthand how crucial a safe house can be in a time of crisis, I want to give back. For the month of March, I am celebrating my freedom by creating and selling small daily paintings. These paintings will be offered at a lower price than my usual work to make it easier for more people to participate in this fundraiser. A portion of each sale will be donated to a local safe house, helping them continue their vital work supporting women and children fleeing violence.

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If you remember, I held this fundraiser last year and together we raised $800 for a local safe house. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who supported this cause by purchasing a painting. Some buyers even sent me personal photos to work from, commissioning a piece while contributing to this important cause. If you have an image you would like me to paint as part of this fundraiser, please let me know—I would be honored to create a special painting for you.

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You can find these daily paintings on my website and Instagram starting March 1 and throughout the entire month.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

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With gratitude and hope,

Leslie Lambert

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