Coastgals creator Donna-Marie is pretty much been an island girl her entire life. Arriving back in Canada at the age of 12 she has lived on Vancouver Island since. In the fall of 2018, she was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. For an outing therapy a friend invited her to join a paverpol class. She found herself getting lost in her creation and finding therapy for her world of emotions. Spring of 2019, Donna-Marie decided to leave big box retail, semi retire with her husband and moved to the Qualicum Beach area to open her own studio.  Certified in the fall of 2019 she is now able to teach and help others find the artist with in themselves and... maybe find a little a little art therapy for themselves.