Veronica Wanchenaen

For much of my life, the story of my anguished childhood lived inside me in silence. The first sixteen years of my life were marked by severe abuse: daily sexual, physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. I was trafficked by my father, sold to other men for abuse, and used for the making of child pornography.

As a child, I survived these crushing wounds by dividing myself into different parts, each one carrying pieces of experiences that were too overwhelming for a young mind to hold all at  once.

For many years, I tried to appear as “normal” as I could, while carrying these hidden wounds that tormented my mind and emotions, crippled my capacities, and narrowed my choices to those of sheer survival.

When I was in my early forties, another act of violence shattered the fragile stability I had  built. I suffered a severe psychological collapse that forced me to confront the depth of the trauma I had endured. I knew that I could no longer “survive”; I would need to find true healing, or I would need to die.

With the help of a compassionate friend, I found a remarkable therapist who worked with me intensively for many years. Slowly, and often painfully, I began the process of remembering and healing. During this time of therapy, art became an unexpected lifeline and healing modality. Painting and drawing allowed me to express memories and emotions that I could not express adequately in words. They became my “communication board” with my therapist. Images emerged from places deep within my psyche—sometimes frightening, sometimes sorrowful, but always truthful. Each painting became a step toward reclaiming the parts of myself that had been hidden or lost.

Over time, the act of creating transformed from a way of releasing pain into a path toward

freedom. I was able to externalize my anguish on the canvas, and from that perspective, I could better see what it did to me and what I needed to do to heal. I began to feel freer; my body began to heal; my thoughts healed; and new feelings of peace, gratitude, forgiveness, and joy unfolded over the years of inner work.

Now I live a gentle, blessed, grateful, and peaceful life, with beautiful, respectful, and happy relationships. At 65 now, I have a richness of experience that has given me a wealth of hard-won clarity and wisdom.

My life has been one of becoming an Alchemist, and in this stage, the gold is emerging from my whole being. I share these paintings as a witness to that journey. They tell a story of survival, but also of courage, healing, and transformation. My hope is that by bringing these images into the light, they may offer comfort, understanding, and hope to others who are walking their own path of recovery. I gladly stand as a witness that healing from the impossible is truly possible.

La Vita e Bella! (Life is Beautiful!)

Veronica C. Wanchena