The Whale Dreams exhibit at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC is reflective of anatomy and humans' relationship to whales, however for Colleen McLaughlin Barlow it is a reminder of pursuing her dream of being in artist in the face of a battle with cancer.

Barlow was working as a journalist in Vancouver when she receieved the news 20 years ago that she was terminally ill. The doctors explained her prognosis was poor and she might not have much longer to live. At the age of 39, Barlow decided that if she had only 6 months left to live, she was going to spend them doing what she'd always wanted to be, an artist.

17 years later, after having studied in Paris and gotten well, Barlow is a cancer-free artist. Her interest in whale bones began by being fascinated with bones and anatomy as a result of being sick for so long. 

For the full story, click here.