The cat

A country scene

This a work in pastel

ADOPTION JOURNEY

Barbara McInne a.k.a. Denise Sheehan was born in the 1950's at the Haven, a Salvation Army home for unmarried mothers. She was adopted out at 8 weeks to a 'good family'. Like many adoptees she wondered about her family of birth.

Barbara has since had a reunion with both birth parents.

At Vanish she attended Art classes to help express her feelings about adoption.As an emerging artist here is a series of works  'Adoption Journey'

SHAME

There was a lot of shame for unmarried mothers and illegitimate babies born in the height of the adoption era.

TAKEN

There were arms ready to take the babies of the unwed mothers. Many mothers were not permitted to see or touch their babies.

TORN

The child is then torn between feelings for the adopted parents and

their birth mother and birth father

FAMILY TREE

What's missing?

HOPE

A renewed hope in life, inspired by "The Red Tree" by Shaun Tan