Sharing my Creative Process in an AI-Generated World

In this new era of AI-generated art, where people often question whether a real person created a piece, I feel it’s more important than ever to share the human side of the creative process. Every line, every color choice, every hour poured into this painting was intentional and deeply personal. So here's the story of my painting "Nature'sTapestry".  

Every painting I create begins with a feeling—a dream, a blurry image in my mind—and unfolds directly onto the canvas, without detailed sketches or strict plans...

But Nature’s Tapestry was more than just a painting; it became a lifeline, a way to hold onto hope and healing during challenging times my family I had to faced...

Nature's Tapestry - A Mama Bear, a Symbol of Repair

At the heart of this piece is my mother bear, steady and nurturing, knitting her world back together. She represents the quiet work of repair and resilience, carefully restoring each leaf, animal, and thread of life where her habitat was destroyed in the past. Surrounding her is the entire forest ecosystem, from the mushrooms underground, the roots and foliage, to the land animals and the sky’s pollinators—all interconnected, each depending on the other.

As I painted, I spent 8-10 hours on each element—patiently bringing life to every creature, every detail. 

The entire piece took over 200 hours, becoming not just a creative process, but a deeply personal journey.

A Painting for My Daughters’ Room

This piece wasn’t just made for the world—it was made for my family. The original painting now hangs in my daughters' new bedroom, a space filled with warmth and nature’s presence. I wanted them to grow up surrounded by a piece that embodies hope, strength, and the beauty of nature, a reminder that even when things fall apart, they can always be stitched back together.

I chose earthy tones because I love nature and prefer colors that feel grounding and don’t scream too loud—tones that bring peace and balance instead of overwhelming the space.

This Artwork as a Reflection of Life

While I was painting Nature’s Tapestry back in 2023, my own world was unraveling. My family and I were living without a kitchen or sink for three months, cooking in our living room while dealing with a severe mold issue in our rental home.

At the same time, we faced a bigger question—would we even be able to stay? Buying a house in our expensive California town felt almost impossible, with intense competition and bidding wars. We watched friends make multiple offers before finally securing a home, and we wondered if we would have to do the same—or if we should return to Quebec, our birth country, and restart our lives after 10 years in California.

The uncertainty was heavy, and for a while, we didn’t have an answer. But we chose to let go and trust life, and incredibly, the process unfolded with ease. We found our dream home, and everything fell into place as if it were meant to be.

More Than a Painting, A Reminder

Nature’s Tapestry is more than just a portrait of the wild; it’s a symbol of hope in destruction, of healing in chaos. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, we can keep stitching forward, one thread, one leaf, one step at a time.

Sharing This Piece with Others 

Since completing the original, I’ve created a whole collection of high-quality giclée prints, along with notepads, t-shirts, and other products featuring Nature’s Tapestry. It has become a favorite among my clients, resonating with those who feel deeply connected to nature, resilience, and renewal. 

You can shop the collection HERE  

I hope you enjoyed reading about my creative process :) Anne