I’ve had a few names in my lifetime and perhaps I’ll still write something as Vasenna Fields in the future. Honestly though, I think I’ll stick to Barraclough. It’s a long and tricky name, but it’s…

I’ve been working on a personal project to bring myself to a place of better financial stability. I’ve made the difficult decision to sell my house and downsize in order to simplify my life financi…

Here’s a list of metal health resources. I will add to it from time to time so please check back occasionally. If you have suggested resources please put them in the comment section and I’ll add th…

Narcissist, empath, OCD, “schizo”, and PTSD – These words are a small sampling of words frequently thrown around with such wild abandon that they’ve lost their true meaning or they’ve gained …

Imagine for a moment that you wake from a deep sleep and your heart is going a million kilometres an hour. Breaking into a cold sweat you sit bolt upright in bed. Your heart continues to pound so h…

Have you ever felt so mentally unwell, unstable, uncomfortable, that you start to think it would be better if you didn’t exist? Perhaps they’re fleeting thoughts at first, perhaps you shake your he…

My favourite brands are small. My favourite brands are unrecognized as “brands”. The less brand-ier the better.​..

In order to cope with all of the difficulties I’ve encountered in the past, as well as recovery from difficulties I’m still trying to overcome, music has been one of the most important tools I have…

I’m back with Volume 3 of my Lighten Up Series, where just for a moment, I pretend like there aren’t scads of stories I’m working on about serious topics, and I respond to a frivolous question nobo…

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently? This is a story about a time when I didn’t take action to protect myself and I wish I had. I ha…

I risked writing about my experience with domestic violence and I don’t regret it

Discussion about how society tends to turn on female celebrities if they’re with problematic men, if they leave problematic men, or if they call out problematic behaviour

Three very different paintings explored and explained

Post about personal safety and helping others remain safe when in vulnerable situations, such as walking alone in an empty parking lot full of vehicles. This post has something that applies to virt…

In general I enjoy painting all sorts of creatures, even some I’ve invented, like my Strange Birds and, the Owl-O-Pus. I love cute little birds,​ bunnies I can dress up in finery, and all sorts of …

Here are 7 key things I want you to remember if someone corners you into a conversation/lecture about mental health and begins asking about treatment choices you’ve made with the guidance of a medi…

I love the serendipitous nature of working with watercolours, I think that’s my favourite part of working with them

It’s difficult to pull out of a slump when you’re feeling particularly down and depressed. Here’s a list of 3 things you can try right away

When the abuser adds in verbal attacks, threats of or actual physical violence, and other modicums of coercive control, DARVO is usually one of their frontline weapons to use against their victim.

The 5 albums I’d want with me if I was stranded on a deserted island

Collection of tree ladies I’ve created using many different media for more than a decade

If we focused on believing victims and fostering a system of respect and empathy towards them we would encourage more victims to feel safe enough to leave an abusive situation, report sexual abuse …

My mother died 11 years ago today, March 27, 2025 and I miss her desperately still. The ache has softened over time but it never truly goes away.

I step forward and reach my arms up round his neck to give him a hug. At first his embrace is gentle but it begins to grow firmer. I find this comforting and pleasant at first but he begins to sque…

3 Art supplies I couldn’t live without if I was stranded on a deserted island plus 1 bonus item. Part of new, ongoing, Lighten Up, series

3 Art supplies I couldn’t live without if I was stranded on a deserted island plus 1 bonus item. Part of new, ongoing, Lighten Up, series

5 Followers • 0 Threads • Just your average artsy weirdo. I work in acrylic, gel pen, pencil crayon, watercolour, ink, alcohol ink etc- blogger, author, writerly-type too💖. See the latest...

Personal experience with panic attacks and anxiety, what it feels like, some ideas for coping, and encouragement to keep going

Part 2 of 3 part series on breath-work. Learn how to reduce stress by doing a breathing exercise used by Navy Seals

Assess how you generally breathe by using the exercise provided. Improve your breathing technique by using the second exercise provided

Couldn’t sleep cuz anxiety so I baked

Red flags I experienced at the beginning of a 2 year long abusive relationship with a coercive controller

Post explaining how to use the DV Distress hand signal and what to do if you see someone else using the signal. Similar discussion about ordering an Angel Shot to get help from someone in the food …

Post explaining how to use the DV Distress hand signal and what to do if you see someone else using the signal. Similar discussion about ordering an Angel Shot to get help from someone in the food …

News style blog about an awful domestic violence related double murder and suicide in Calgary as well as many resources for anyone facing domestic violence

This post outlines my creative process and explains what works for me, why it works for me, and will hopefully offer you ideas to improve your own creative process.