Q - Tell us a bit about what you do?
A - I was very fortunate to figure out that art was something I enjoyed doing at a young age. I got lost in my own world when given the opportunity to draw or build. Getting into a creative zone gave me focus, as it still does today. Over the years, I have created all my own paintings and illustrations from my home studio and have facilitated mural projects with local community groups. My favourite part of creating visual art is talking about the finished product with my audience. It’s great to hear other people’s perspective of my work and hear their excitement over the imagery. It’s a big factor in my drive to continue ‘making’.
Q - What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?
A - I’ve never had trouble finding motivation to make something new. I’ve always just felt compelled to create, to scribble, to smear pigment. At times, I begin a piece just as an excuse to play with colour. The process of layering, of patience, of knowing the medium, is really my Zen.
Q - What is the best advice that you have ever been given?
A - My high school art teacher once told me to “draw with empathy” after seeing me struggle to draw a line on my page then erase it multiple times. I didn’t quite know how to take that advice at the time, but it inspired me to draw lighter and not erase any of my attempts until I finally made a line that I liked. It inspired me to trust my abilities and to not fear making mistakes. I took that statement as a pass to really take chances and ignore the self-doubt that had me wearing out erasers.