It was a hot summer night in July almost two years ago. Her grandson was over to watch Canadian Idol. She was serving strawberry shortcake when the stroke came on.

"I never lost consciousness," said Steele through tears. "I remember crying out to my husband and my grandson praying with me."

Eight hours later, she had a second stroke that further paralyzed the left side of her body.

Now 75, the strong mother of six and grandmother of 13, isn't afraid to talk about what happened.

The brilliant artist has worked hard to recover to the point that she can once again walk with a cane, make herself tea, and even paint her masterpieces.

She will be hosting a show and sale of her work at her Grassie home on May 30 and 31. She lives at 3227 Grassie Road.

"I never got depressed," she said Monday. "I tried to stay positive. A lot of people are a lot worse off."

Steele, who pre-stroke was an inspirational Christian speaker, said she is thankful for knowing the Lord and having a loving family.

"I felt so completely helpless at first," she admitted. "But they always said keep working. And I know the Lord is still with me."

Steele is a natural painter of animals, autumn paths and invigorating nature scenes. Her work is featured at Gateway Niagara and the Fifth Wheel.

But she said she did not develop her passion until her mid-30s.

After spending eight months in the hospital, Steele no longer worries about what could have been.

She has painted several works since her strokes, including "In the Garden," portraying a woman in a garden as the sun sets. That painting was inspired by a nurse's song.

Her show and sale will run from 1 to 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Her works of art are sold for an average of $90 to $150.