Artist Statement

‘Whimsical’ and ‘happy’ are words I use often to describe my work to others. I choose to use vibrant colour palettes as they are pleasing to the eye and the soul. To create calming pieces, I love to infuse a lot of light, which you can see in my more recent work. These combined elements help to reflect the emotions I am trying to convey to the audience. The medium I work in is mainly hand-drawn digital illustration, but my first love is acrylic painting. 

A common theme that runs through my work is highlighting beautiful Nova Scotia landscapes. We have no shortage of inspiration in our province, so there is always a lot to draw from. I also enjoy using a variety of enchanted subjects in my pieces to help capture moments of wonder and delight by mainly transforming ordinary buildings into extraordinary ones. The objective is to pull the viewer inside with subtle humour by giving these houses their own unique personalities. 

A lot of the time I have a concept in my mind or a clear image of what I would like transferred to the canvas, paper, or screen (depending on what I'm working with). From there, I start on a loose sketch and let my hand flow with the energy and excitement of the piece. If I'm having an anxious day or feeling down, it’s a grounding process that lifts me right up. 

I draw a lot of inspiration from iconic traditional artists, like Mary Blair. I love how she played around with colours and shapes and created playful compositions that invite the viewer into her world. Like Mary, I am deeply motivated by a love of storytelling, connection to community, and our surroundings. When someone looks at my art, I want to instantly transport them to a magical world, where they can temporarily forget themselves and just feel what I hope is a calming and joyful moment. 

Art should resonate with its audience, and as a result, form a connection with the viewer and the artist. I actively engage with my audience by showcasing my work at local markets and exhibitions, and through collaborations with community initiatives.A particular highlight in my career includes organizing the From Farm to Tableau project in 2024. Over 20 artists from all over Nova Scotia were paired up with local food providers in their area to help shine a light on food culture in our province and raise money for school food programs. 

Creating my happy art helps me to infuse each piece with positive energy. When the viewer takes that same energy and passes it on to others, it brings a great sense of accomplishment. This body of work is accessible for all ages to enjoy, rooted in community spirit and national pride, and it comes from a place of warmth. If I can connect people through the power of art, or encourage a budding artist in their artistic journey, then that is a very good day for me. 

Photo credit: Amy Holloway - Holloway Photography