Finding Connection in Water
Have you ever stood by a lake, river, or ocean and felt a deep sense of peace? Have you listened to the rain and felt emotions stir within you—comfort, nostalgia, even sadness? And have you ever tried to capture water—through painting, photography, or words—only to realize it’s never quite the same?
Water is life. It has shaped us all—from before birth to this very moment.
Water & Birth: The First Embrace
Before we took our first breath, we were cradled in amniotic fluid, held and nourished by water.
Many Indigenous cultures believe water carries memory and spirit, connecting us to our ancestors while teaching us about respect and balance. Women are often seen as guardians of water, just as they are of life itself. But how are we honoring water today? Are we protecting what once protected us, or are we forgetting its sacredness?
Water & Life: The Pulse of the Earth
Water quenches our thirst, grows our food, washes our bodies, and sustains every ecosystem on Earth. But it is more than survival—it is a storyteller, a healer, a mirror to our emotions.
- It can be calm or violent—like us.
- It can be crystal-clear or murky—like our thoughts.
- It can nurture or destroy—like time itself.
As an artist, I am drawn to water’s depth and complexity. It moves, reflects, and transforms. But as much as water gives us, it is disappearing.
- The rivers that have flowed for centuries are drying.
- The oceans that connect us are rising.
- The lakes we swam in as children are now polluted.
The water that once nourished us is now asking for our help.
Water & Death: The Spirit’s Journey
Even in death, water carries us. In many First Nations traditions, the spirit crosses a great river on its journey to the next world. Water cleanses, guides, and reminds us that we are part of something greater.
But what happens if that water disappears? What does it mean for our future if the rivers run dry?
“Our Lifeblood” – A Celebration and a Cry for Help
Through my art, I strive to capture the spirit of water—not just its beauty, but its power, fragility, and sacredness.
- The Ocean—a vast force of energy, connecting us all.
- Lakes—keepers of history, sustaining communities for generations.
- Waterfalls—symbols of renewal and strength, crashing down only to rise again.
Water is resilient, but even water has limits. My work, Our Lifeblood, is more than just paintings. It is a call to action, a reminder that what we take for granted today may not be here tomorrow.
An Invitation to See Water Differently
Water is not separate from us. It lives in us, moves through us, and connects us to all living things.
I invite you to see water through my eyes:
- As a force of beauty.
- As a source of life.
- As something too precious to lose.
And I urge you—protect what gives us life.
What Can We Do?
We must take action now:
- Learn from Indigenous teachings. Water is not a commodity—it is a living being that must be honored.
- Reduce waste. Every drop matters.
- Protect our waters. Support conservation efforts and speak up against pollution.
- Pass this awareness on. Teach your children, your friends, and your community.
Water is not just part of our world—it is our world.
A Final Reflection
Imagine a world where the rivers are dry. Where the oceans are poisoned. Where future generations never stand in awe before a waterfall or swim in a crystal-clear lake.
That world is closer than we think—unless we act now.
Water is life. Let’s fight for it.
(EXCERPTS FROM LOUISE LAMBERT ADDRESSING THE “OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE CONSERVATION CONFERENCE, Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Victoria, BC)