Born in 1977 in North Vancouver, Bill Westwell was deeply influenced by the flow of life while growing up in a rainforest on the coastal mountains. When he was forced to overcome the challenges resulting from a life-altering spinal injury and fusion, Bill realized that the stories we tell ourselves we make come true. This insight set him onto a new course of becoming a conscious story teller, artist and illustrator. Bill returned to school as an adult to study illustration and fine art in the continuing studies program at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The journey to attaining a Certificate of Fine Arts allowed Bill to embrace being the visual storyteller he realized he had long been. Leaning into the concept of visual literacy, Bill uses art to talk about topics that words fail to convey, and believes in making art that is accessible, relevant and speaks a truth we all need to hear. His most recent illustrated work takes a look at the challenging topic of chronic pain.