P.E.I. news: Artist seeks to calm viewers [Video]

After feeling the impact of mental illness, a Prince Edward Island artist hopes to ease the pain of others with her paintings.

Emily Howard has been painting professionally for the last 20 years.

Her focus narrowed seven years ago after the loss of her sister, who had long struggled with depression.

Howard said that motivated her to do something which could help people like her sister, and like herself.

“I have a lot of anxiety, I always have, and I hid it from the world, as most people do, but then when I was more open about my anxiety I realized everyone has this,” said Howard. “We’re all walking around trying to present a strong front, when really we’re all, kinda, a little scared.”

She mostly paints calming landscape scenes, working to evoke feelings of peace and serenity in the people who see her work.

“I can’t take on the …