45-year-old Jack Goodwin isn’t one for a lot of small talk or chit-chats. Sitting quietly in his hospital room at Providence Care Hospital he shares his thoughts, feelings and emotions through the art he creates daily.
“I’m inspired by nature back home; I see the pictures in my mind and I draw them.”
Jack is from Kashechewan, a Cree First Nation community in Northern Ontario near James Bay. He’s receiving rehabilitation at Providence Care Hospital following a double leg amputation, above the knee, that took place in the summer of 2024.
“I had a heart attack,” explains Jack. “During the operation for my heart, something went wrong and it cost me both my legs.”
Life has completely changed for Jack and is filled with uncertainties. He’s a long way from his fly-in-only community, misses his family, is unable to return to his career as a security guard and is unsure how to navigate life outside the hospital in a wheelchair. However, through all the uncertainty, Jack remains focused on what he can control, finding joy through creating art.
“Here, I’m creating black and white drawings and I like to combine animals into other pictures. Loons, eagles, faces, water. I’m inspired by other Cree art, my mentors, my home and my family.”
Providence Care Spiritual Health Associate Shelley Kirby is working with Jack through his recovery. Blown away by his art and talent, she’s assisting Jack with an art sale event where he will sell prints and originals of his work for two days from the main lobby of Providence Care Hospital.
“My job is to meet with people who are in transition and might be having some struggle with the newness of their life,” explains Shelley. “I talked with Jack about what gives his life meaning and he showed me his extraordinary art, all of which he created while he’s been a patient here. We discussed what life will look like when he gets home, and we explored what it might look like to sell art on a more professional basis which brought us to having a sale table here at Providence Care Hospital to show more people his work.”
Jack will sell prints of his original work for $10 and his originals for $20, on Wed., Oct. 23, and Thurs., Oct. 24 in the main lobby of Providence Care Hospital from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
“In terms of healing, Jack has so many strengths,” says Shelley. “This sale is an opportunity for him to see himself differently and maybe even find a new voice. I hope when he sees people celebrate who he is and what he can create, it reminds him of his potential and the gift that he is.”
Providence Care staff, students, volunteers and the general public are invited to support Jack during his art sale and become a meaningful part in his recovery journey.
“Making art takes away my stress and makes me feel good. This whole experience has made me want to start a career in artwork, do more drawings and paint using colours. I want to start adding colours.”
Pablo Picasso famously said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” For Jack, life currently has been anything but easy, but his passion for creating offers more than just comfort—it’s a lifeline. With every stroke of his pencil and marker, he draws a little more strength, purpose, and hope for the future. While the path ahead remains uncertain, Jack’s art reminds him—and those who witness it—that even in the most difficult moments, creativity has the power to heal, inspire, and open doors to new beginnings.
Please allow yourself to be inspired by Jack at his sale on Wed., Oct. 23, and Thurs., Oct. 24 in the main lobby of Providence Care Hospital from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
