For Westbrook resident Teresa Earnest, art is more than a creative pursuit—it’s a source of healing, joy, and self-discovery. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Teresa has called Westbrook home for the past 10 years, sharing life here with her husband, Toby, their son, Mac, and her mother, Joyce.

Teresa’s journey to becoming a painter is deeply personal. For over two decades, she experienced unexplained health flares that would leave her bedridden for days or weeks at a time. In 2020, after years of uncertainty, she was diagnosed with Relapsing Polychondritis, a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the body’s cartilage. While the diagnosis was daunting, it brought with it a profound relief—finally, she knew the name of her adversary.

In 2023, at the age of 45, Teresa retired from her career as a professional photographer and began exploring painting as a way to lift her spirits and fill her days. She started with watercolor, moved into acrylics, and eventually transformed her sunny bonus room into a vibrant home studio. From that cozy, light-filled space—where neighborhood deer often wander by—she creates pieces that reflect the same qualities that once defined her photography: light, bold color, and a touch of whimsy.

“I’m still searching for my artistic voice,” Teresa shares, “but painting has become the best type of medicine. It brings joy, creativity, and hope into my everyday life.” Over the past few years, she’s painted thousands of roses, developing the muscle memory to create them with a beautiful sense of ease.

While most of her art is created for personal enjoyment, Teresa occasionally offers paintings for sale through Facebook—and she plans to share some pieces on the Westbrook community page in the future. Her work, much like her story, is an inspiring reminder that creativity can flourish even in life’s most challenging seasons.