Ladysmith Artist Sarah Leo Turns Health Struggles into Healing Art

When health problems forced Ladysmith artist Sarah Leo to confront her life, she transformed adversity into creativity. After experiencing unexplained fainting spells for two months, Leo faced an uncertain path. Although doctors could not pinpoint the cause, she resolved to rebuild her life, stating, “This is the next chapter of my life because of that.”

This chapter is marked by artistic expression. Leo’s work encompasses various forms, including music, poetry, and painting, but it is her custom-painted jean jackets that have gained a dedicated following in Ladysmith.

Born in New Westminster and raised mainly in Edmonton, Leo’s family relocated to Vancouver Island when she was just ten years old. After earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education, she taught high school. However, the demands of teaching left little time for her creative pursuits. “I loved encouraging kids to believe in themselves,” she reflected. “But I realized I needed to take my own advice.”

Leo’s health crisis, which involved fainting multiple times a day, became a turning point. One incident at home required her to call for help via her Alexa smart speaker, leading to assistance from her husband. These dark moments filled with health challenges prompted her to seek solace in music.

“I had never really listened to blues music before,” Leo explained. “It’s people singing about their pain, and yet when they leave the stage, they’ve done something. They’ve transmuted that negative feeling and they’ve helped other people feel human.” This process of transforming pain into something beneficial became central to her recovery journey.

Art has consistently provided Leo with a means to heal. During her struggles, she engaged in painting, singing, and photography, creating what she calls her Bliss Checklist. This plan includes listening to music in the morning, practicing gratitude, and performing deep breathing exercises.

Her artistic breakthrough began with a thrifted jean jacket she had purchased during a vacation in Tofino. After experiencing postpartum depression and health issues, Leo rediscovered the jacket and remembered how confident it had made her feel. “I found it, put it on, and I breathed the biggest sigh of relief that I’d felt in a very long time,” she recalled. Inspired, she thought, “I have to give other people this feeling.”

Leo began painting on denim, resulting in custom jackets that empower their wearers. Each order starts with a questionnaire where clients express how they want to feel in their jacket. Customers can provide their own jackets or select from Leo’s inventory. Using digital projections, she paints each design with acrylics mixed with fabric medium. Her signature style includes glowing colors and text accompanying central images.

Most of her clientele is local, although she also sells through her website and occasionally in stores. Pricing ranges from $120 to $220 per jacket. However, the true value lies in the emotional connection her work creates.

Leo cherishes the moment her customers see their completed jackets for the first time. “Sometimes I drive the extra mile just to see the reaction,” she shared. “They dance around, they scream, their eyes start tearing. It makes me feel so fulfilled to provide something that makes somebody feel that comfortable in their own skin.”

This journey of healing through art extends beyond her jacket business. Leo has also emerged as a sought-after singer, performing at various venues across Vancouver Island, including galleries, universities, restaurants, and bars.

For Leo, the goal transcends personal recognition. “It’s about how much impact I can leave in the places I’ve been,” she said. With a supportive community in Ladysmith, where she lives with her husband, Tchadas Leo, a journalist with Chek TV, and their young son, she has found inspiration and encouragement.

“It was the first place I really felt accepted,” she noted. “People here take care of each other.” Surrounded by such a community, Leo discovered the safety and support necessary for her own healing, which she now channels into inspiring others.

“If I take care of me, I take care of everybody,” she added. This philosophy has guided her transformation, turning her healing journey into a vibrant artistic expression that resonates with many, one song, one poem, and one jacket at a time.