At age 49, Sister Brigid Bray had a stroke. It was the best thing that ever happened to her. As she recovered, she became an artist of multiple mediums and techniques. For most stroke victims their lives are diminished, but for Sister Brigid, hers flourished. Along with new skills and abilities, the stroke brought about a change in her interests and pastimes.

Sister Brigid attended the San Gabriel Mission High School where Sister Rita Marie Brown offered Brigid the Business Manager position at the school paper. She discovered that she was successful at selling advertisements. It was a confidence builder for her. In her sophomore year, she was the song leader at her school. In 1954, when she was a freshman in high school, Sister Brigid met Sister Jean Marie Des Jardin. She was "a beautiful person" and her life and teaching piqued Brigid’s curiosity and drew her toward consecrated life. She made her first profession as a Dominican Sister of Mission San Jose in 1957.

In 1976, Sister Brigid graduated from San Jose State University with a master’s degree in education with a specialization in reading. Her instructors said that she was a good student and passionately pursued learning. After graduating, Sister Brigid became a teacher. She found that she loved the children. She called them “My Specials” and grew to enjoy teaching.  She taught second grade at St. Elizabeth School, Oakland; first grade at San Gabriel Mission Elementary School, San Gabriel (where she had 54 students at a time); first grade boys at St. Ignatius School, Los Angeles; and second grade boys at St. Catherine’s Academy, Anaheim.

In 1988, Sister Brigid had a very serious stroke. The doctors told her that there was “not much hope” for her. But the Lord had other plans and she not only lived, she thrived. She went through rehab and began to walk regularly. She started a period of discernment where she considered her new situation and what the future might hold for her. Ever mindful of her calling, she found a job holding babies at the Oakland Children's Hospital. She loved going to work and was grateful for the opportunity to serve.

In early 1990, Sister Jane Frances Garrison invited Sister Brigid to attend a class at Ohlone College. The choice was between CPR or art. At Sister Jane's prompting, she took art, and Sister Brigid did well. Sister Jane became her cheerleader and urged her to continue. In 1991 Sister Brigid won first prize in a competition at Ohlone College for a charcoal pencil piece titled "Dust to Dust." She continued her art studies at other local colleges. She went to Laney College from 1991-1997 and Merritt College from 1997-1999.

To date, Sister Brigid has created nearly 100 works of art. She currently is a Minister of Art for her Congregation. She has created sculptures in glass and clay, paintings in watercolor and acrylic, wood carvings and structures from tree branches, photographs, and charcoal and pastel drawings. She has found that she has award-winning talent. In 1993, Sister Brigid won Artist of the Year for the San Gabriel Fine Arts Association. Her painting “Racing Spanish Horses” won 1st prize in 2015 at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. This same work plus an acrylic painting titled "Mystery Garden" were recently displayed at the Olive Hyde Art Gallery “Hidden Treasures, Local Talent” exhibit. Since the stroke, Sister Brigid has won more than 15 awards for her art. Sister Brigid is always surprised by her success and others’ appreciation of her work. She prays, "Dear God, what's happening to me? You turned my head around!" Her life is so different after the stroke. Although, some memory loss and being a little tongue-tied are lingering side-effects, most of her days are spent in wonder of and gratitude for her new artist’s life. [The stroke] “brought out all these talents.” she says.

Sister Brigid’s story is one of transformation. A tragic event changed her life for the better. She was able to let go of the parts of her that produced fear. She blossomed into a new person who lives beyond her wildest dreams. Now, she can reach many people through her art and bear witness to the Gospel through the miracle of her life.  She is a testimony, a blessing, and a gift.