National Tribute Auction

"Perfectly Imperfect" By: MWO Samantha Crowe & Collaborator Sgt. Nathan Spence Artist Statement "Perfectly Imperfect" explores mental health through both personal experience and the experiences of those around me. Through my own mental health challenges, and by witnessing friends, both military and civilian, navigate their own difficult journeys, I have come to understand that while every experience is unique, the one thing we all share is that healing and growth are always work. My hope is that anyone who views this piece finds their own meaning in it and feels seen. The helmet is covered with darker words and imagery, reflecting the thoughts we often carry silently in our minds. It has two distinct sides. One appears more broken, yet inside are flowers, a reminder that even in difficult times, moments of beauty, hope, and positivity still exist. The other side appears more put together and opens to a watercolour painting filled with words of strength. Even there, however, are cracks and imperfections, reminding us that healing and growth are ongoing processes. The strength words featured in the helmet came from people in my life. I asked each person to share a word that represented their strength and incorporated those words into the piece. They are a reminder that strength is not reserved for when we have everything together. It exists in every season of our lives, including the difficult ones. Words are powerful. The more we use our strength words, the stronger they become, helping shape how we see ourselves and move forward. The watercolour element was inspired by my time on the Nahanni River, where I first discovered watercolour painting. It became an outlet when I was trying to find something that would keep me from becoming overwhelmed, and as I developed and learned more about watercolour, it taught me to find beauty in mistakes, pick up another piece of paper, and try again. It was a gift from the Nahanni River and True Patriot Love, and serves as an important reminder that none of us are broken. We are all learning, growing, and doing the work. At its heart, Perfectly Imperfect is a reminder that we are never broken. We are all works in progress, navigating life's challenges in our own way and finding strength in both our struggles and our growth. We are all perfectly imperfect. PS - Tears are Strength Samantha Crowe – Oct. 2026 Artists Bio Samantha Crowe, MWO and collaborator Nathan Spence, Sgt With over 22 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces as an Imagery Technician, Samantha has dedicated her career to leading people, mentoring teams, and telling the military story through imagery. Her experience spans operational and international environments, including an operational deployment, an international assignment, and service with CFB Borden, 22 Wing, CANSOFCOM, CFLRS, JFC Brunssum, and MARPAC. She currently serves as the Sergeant Major of the Canadian Forces Training Development Centre (CFTDC). In 2025, True Patriot Love asked Samantha to volunteer as the photographer for the All Women's Expedition on the Nahanni River. What began as an opportunity to pick up a camera again quickly became a life-changing experience. Through her lens, she watched veterans and civilians form meaningful connections, challenge themselves, and discover strengths they did not know they possessed. Along the way, Samantha experienced her own growth and self-discovery. The journey reminded her that some of life's most rewarding adventures begin with a simple yes. When True Patriot Love later asked Samantha to create an art helmet in support of the initiative, her answer was again an immediate yes. Having witnessed firsthand the profound impact the expedition had on the women who participated, she understood the value of the program and the importance of supporting its continued success. If her contribution helps generate even a small donation toward future expeditions, she knows it will go a long way in creating life-changing opportunities for others. Samantha was supported throughout the project by her friend, Sgt Nathan Spence. Serving as a sounding board, collaborator, and trusted advisor, he encouraged her to embrace imperfection and trust the creative process. As both a craftsman and creative partner, he helped cut into the helmet and bring the concept to life. Nathan has served in the Canadian Armed Forces for 19 years, including 6 years as a Vehicle Technician and 13 years as an Imagery Technician. He currently leads the Imagery Section at Maritime Forces Pacific (MARPAC) and has deployed to Kuwait while supporting major exercises in South Korea and Hawaii. A proud member of Sandy Bay First Nation and the Métis Nation, Nathan is a passionate craftsman, martial artist, and creator whose encouragement and support helped bring this helmet to life. Note From Samantha: Thank you for bidding and please feel free to set up this art piece anyway that fits your space, either with the helmet on the tray with décor or just the helmet on its on. Thanks!