In university, Nerissa Bradley was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Painting and music became a form of therapy for the 27-year-old, but as she explains in this video — the latest in our series, "Heartbreak to Art" — reconnecting with her creative side also revealed a brand new career path.
For the last two years, Bradley says she's "embraced her artistry" full time. She regularly performs around Toronto with her jazz band the Nerissa Bradley Group, and she's also the co-founder of Artlet, a business that helps others tap into their talents. Following a creative career path wasn't an easy choice, though. "Deciding to own who I am — that I'm an artist — was scary because it took giving up who I thought I had to be," she tells CBC Arts.