Photo: Sara Martel
I began my practice as a self-taught abstract painter. Fortunate to work among numerous talented artists, I learned the technical elements of painting, screen printing, and illustration in informal yet generous settings. Building from my hard-edge paintings, my more recent work takes a figurative approach that continues to rely on a keen use of colour and my signature minimalist aesthetic. I work digitally in Procreate, with sketches and photos as reference materials. Art-making is a profoundly grounding and restorative tool for me, and the symbolic forms that I engage act as gateways to explore shared human experience as an act of healing. I ask: how we are changed by giving visual form to what haunts us? I'm is currently working independently and navigating this new “wall-less” art environment with great curiosity.
My recent work is a deeply personal exploration of the things that scare us: both external threats, such as climate change and a global pandemic, as well as those found internally in our minds. What worries us in the wee hours of sleepless nights? What thoughts interfere with us taking a risk to be seen? The imaginary creatures that appear in these works are visitors from a dark place, visions that lurk in the fragile beauty of the natural world. Much like the shadowy thoughts that stalk our minds, the co-existence of these duelling themes represents the emotional mash-up we encounter on our journey through life. They are a meditation on the challenge of holding it all with care. The flat, graphic quality of the drawings reminds us that these are mere representations; familiar, but entirely imaginary. The stark contrast between her use of deep blacks and rich colours offers a crucial tension - we are never only light or dark; happy or sad. The medicine is in the mix.
My art is deeply influenced by my tarot practice (and vice versa) and I will soon be offering readings. I also do web and graphic design for clients. You can see a portfolio of select projects in the Design section of my website.
CV
PAINTING (SOLO)
Put down your arms, gentle soul
May 4 - 25, 2019
Yumart Gallery
401 Richmond Street West
Monuments + Mysteries
September 9 - 30, 2017
Yumart Gallery
401 Richmond Street West
Two Februarys
April 9 – 30, 2016
Yumart Gallery
401 Richmond Street West
Imperfection
November 1 – 22, 2014
Yumart Gallery
101 Spadina Avenue
New Paintings
September 7 - 28, 2013
Yumart Gallery
101 Spadina Avenue
INSTALLATION
New Can, Who Dis? (Mural)
Part of Together Even When We're Apart
Installed on building hoarding throughout Toronto
2020
Mural
401 Richmond Street West
February, 2018
Quiet Places to Cry
Kadbanu
TO Design (Toronto Design Offsite Festival)
January 19 - 24, 2017
771 Dundas Street West
BLOCK X BLOCK
Spacing Store Window
Toronto Design Offsite Festival
January 5 - 30, 2017
401 Richmond Street West
Conjuring 2.0
Frolic
In collaboration with Dwanye East
December 3, 2015
401 Richmond Street West (public space)
Conjuring
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche
In collaboration with Dwanye East
October 3, 2015
401 Richmond Street West, Studio 260
AWARDS
401 Richmond / Urbanspace Property Group
Career Launcher Prize
September 2014 – September 2016
Free studio space and residency
The Artist Project
UNTAPPED Emerging Artist Competition
February 19 – 22, 2015
Direct Energy Centre