January, 2020: I couldn’t breathe and suddenly gained 10 pounds. In emergency, I was diagnosed with arterial fibrillation and congestive heart failure - one week before we left for our annual stay in San Miguel de Allende. I filled the new prescriptions and left for Mexico without health insurance.

I was confused about what was happening to my heart. I had not had any serious illness before. When I saw the painting of Frida Kahlo’s ”The Two Fridas”- one heart alive and one heart broken- I felt like my heart was somewhere in the middle, still alive but restrained with ropes (drugs and the unknown). This painting helped me express my frustration and eventually acceptance of what had happened.

Annette Lowe graduated from the University of Manitoba BFA (Honours) with a double major in drawing and printmaking. Currently, she works at her studio at 90 Annabella in Winnipeg which is home to 26 other artists. She has received grants from the MB Arts Council and has had work accepted to many juried exhibitions. She has participated in many group shows as well as three solo shows in Winnipeg. Her paintings are in private collections and the MB government collection.