The power of art
Hopefully a sense of positive energy is felt through much of the art that I am producing. This is an important part of why I am so fulfilled in sharing my work.
The power of art to affect our mood and well being is very real. Secretly, I would love to paint portals into worlds that would fill people's homes and spaces with just a really cool and open vibe.
Interested in natural ecosystems?
My intent is to shine a light on the small details, ironies and relationships within nature just outside our everyday experience and inspire a sense of joy but also thoughtfulness for the world around us.
The journey...
Learning to use watercolour and acrylic paints as a child was where it all began. Later, as my family began spending summers on crown land in Ontario, I started learning about birds and wetland ecosystems. I developed a love for nature including the tiniest of inhabitants, which continues growing to this day.
Artistically, Illustration was my first love, but I chose Graphic Design for college.
much later I studied Digital Character Animation and this was followed by 20 years in the animation industry.
An intrigue with the textures imprinted in my mind from my time in the outdoors, carried over to my career. After studing digital character animation, I landed as a 3d texture artist, with a focus on characters.
Using photography and and digital painting, constantly fed my fascination with substantive textures on living things.
I really met some of the absolute best people during those years for which I am forever grateful.
Today...
It is fantastic to finally be able to be able to now peel back the layers of inspiration.
Today I am a Lead Steward with Toronto Nature Stewards and working in beautiful park land in Toronto (Serena Gundy). This is an organized volunteer effort to monitor and remove invasive plants from our ravines and parks. In doing so, the goal is to allow for the repopulation of indigenous plants and wildlife, and it's working!
We acknowledge that Toronto and its ravines are part of the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
I am excited to be in collaboration with an amazing indigenous group, HarmonyNests! HarmonyNests has familial ties to the Serena Gundy land and is working hard towards restoring this very special place for plants, wildlife and even for ceremonies to be held there.
Bring Back the Salmon!
This Spring I will take part in the Bring Back the Salmon effort in Ontario.
Salmon are are amazing, and are hugely important fish
This is such an understatement, but they are such an intrinsic part of our ecosystems and to the lives of countless people.
Efforts are being made to stablize habitat for them and boost their dwindling numbers.
Duffins Creek near Pickering Ontario will be one of the entry points for stocking Salmon to help restore the Atlantic Salmon numbers in Canada.
Let's connect
If you are also passionate about art and creative conservation, I would be thrilled to connect with you. Feel free to join my email list below or reach out. Let's chat!