- It's Been So Long (Online Shop & More) -

It is a bit of a reoccurring trend for me to be on and off with a blog platform. This thought doesn’t really bother because, at the risk of sound entirely TOO modest, like, no one is reading this! Moving on, here’s a summary of what I’ve been up to:

- Online Shop Open! -

I finally stopped fussing over every little detail and went live with my Etsy shop (link in menu—>)! With a range of subject matter, prints, books, stickers, original drawings and options for custom commissions, I think there’s a little something for everyone. It’s off to a very slow start, but I have some lovely friends who are helping me to get things started. Special offers and promotions will come, but in the meantime, all of my dear supporters are receiving a couple secret freebies in the mail with their orders!

- Finishing 2018 -

I participated in two shows at the end of the year, I love working alongside so many talented people! I’m always so grateful to be accepted into events like this and it’s definitely something I need to actively seek out more frequently (although the few occasions when I’ve been approached were especially exciting and humbling).

- 4x4 and a Little More - Hashtag Gallery Ltd. -

I don’t even know how many artists, local and international, took part in this show, but they all contributed a varying number of pieces sized 4x4 inches (and a smaller number of 6x6 inch pieces) in whatever medium and concerning whatever subject matter. Hashtag put up an amazing and flowing display of miniature works on every wall of their Dundas West space. This was not the first time they’ve succeeded in creating an affordable art show and making a diverse selection of original drawings, paintings, prints and more available to a wider audience, I can’t wait to get in on this years show!

- Pixel & Bristle Winter Market -

Pixel & Bristle events are a must for me. Great people, new friends, old friends, professionalism, organization, I can’t get enough of it! This year was a little more special than usual for me, I stepped up my display with some vertical racks baby! I felt so much more freedom laying out my table so it was totally worth the Zipcar to North York.

- Recent/Upcoming Submissions -

I’ve been waiting to hear about a potential acceptance for some time now and am super thrilled to say that it will definitely be a thing soon! I’m not saying anything more about it now, but stay tuned!

A friend recently organized a silent art auction in support of Gilda’s Club Greater Toronto, a free, Toronto based, volunteer run community which offers programs designed to meet the emotional, social and practical needs of people affected by cancer, providing a support system to those who may not have one.

I was so happy to hear that my drawing, along with EVERYTHING ELSE sold!

I’m currently working on ONE MORE submission that I am super excited about! Unfortunately no images to share yet and I’ll be leaving it at that for now. More information in my next post!

- Etsy Shop in Progress! -

I still have a ways to go (figuring out shipping and stocking up on supplies), but my online shop full of prints, zines and original drawings is on the way!

- a little peek at the photoshoot -

- The Canadian Cinema Art Show-

I took part in another great group exhibition hosted by Hashtag gallery Ltd. right here in Toronto last month. The Canadian Cinema Art Show was curated by Jono Doiron (@jonodoiron) and was a great opportunity for both guests and participants to take a closer look at some of the amazing film coming from Canada.

My piece was based on Denis Villeneuve’s 2010 film “Incendies”

- Fan Art -

- His Dark Materials [Northern Lights/The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass] -

Philip Pullman takes us on a dangerous adventure following two children through the multiverse. For the last decade I have been reading and re-reading these dark and magical stories and I have only now completed the entire series for the first time and moved on to his next trilogy The Book of Dust.

Here are a few fan drawings I did back in 2016 - the last time I tried to power through the entire trilogy - while travelling through Eastern Europe.

top to bottom - Lyra, Pantalaimon, Will, and the stray cat - Lyra and Iorek Byrnison - Serafina Pekkala and Kaisa - Lee Scorseby and Hester - Lady Salmakia and her dragonfly -

- FOODIES -

More from the latest exhibition from Light Grey Art Lab - about the things we eat.

(sorta) Shepherd's Pie alongside A LOT of talented people. See everyone else -here-

- 2018 Gallery Shows -

I've had the pleasure of participating in three group exhibitions so far this year The first was put on by Hashtag Gallery (here) and co-curated by Jono Doiron (check him out here).

The next two are being put on Light Grey Art Lab (here), the second of which opens April 27th (so you're only getting a peek here).

Hashtag Gallery [Toronto, ON] :

Artists were asked to submit one line-only drawing which was then passed on to another participant. Each individual interpreted their assigned drawing, completing the image in the medium of their choice and in their own, personal style.

My drawing "Archaeopteryx" went on to Brian Roppel (here) and I was lucky enough to work with the curator Jono Doiron on his drawing "Fetch" (from Jono's Instagram : "...inspired by blur frames in classically animated (hand drawn) cartoons. In cartoons, blur frames are nearly undetectable frames that last less than a second used to space separate drawings between a fast action...").

Light Grey Art Lab [Minneapolis, MN] :

"The Host With the Most" : 

Inspired by (but not directly referencing) entomopathogenic fungi. There are many different types of this terrifying parasite, many of which (maybe all?) specialize in a specific type of insect host. Spores settle on the exterior of the host's body and eventually (given the right conditions) germinate and bore into the body cavity, taking over the insect in question.

The full process can result in paralysis or sometimes erratic, involuntary behavior, and untimately DEATH 💀 Some species (like ants) recognize this bizarre behavior and attempt to immediately ostracise the individual. Workers (at their own risk) will carry the infected individual far away from the colony in order to protect the masses.

After death, (again, given the right conditions) some sort of formed fungus grows from the host corpse and the beautiful cycle starts over again 🍄 [I need to thank Wikipedia and my boy, Sir David Attenborough for filling me in on this natural phenomenon]

Participating artists created an image of a specific dish that is near and dear to their hearts for the group exhibition opening later this month. In addition to prints that will be displayed in Light Grey's brick and mortar gallery space, each artist also designed a recipe card featuring their illustration on the front and everything you need to know to make these meals at home!

Once a year, Light Grey puts together a show with a collaborative project aspect where each artist receives their own collection of the works involved. My box of recipe cards is on its way and I can't wait to see what every one else has contributed!

- Recent Submissions -

I won't say too much about this project here because the call is still open, but I've submitted three designs and I'm hoping to have some good news this summer!

- Winter 2018 -

The last couple of months have consisted of hiding from the cold, planning an upcoming trip and working on a few new submissions that I can't post quite yet... Here's a little sneak peek!

- Pixel & Bristle NYE 2017 Pop Up Shop -

I was happy to spend my last afternoon (a cold one, but a sunny one) of 2017 being hosted by The Drake Commissary for Pixel & Bristle's last pop up shop of the year! Here is a shot of my spread next to some maple syrup. HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL!

- Fan Art -

If you've been following my work for the past couple of years, you may have noticed a lot of fan art... Reimagining my favourite characters has been one of the best forms of motivation and inspiration for me. Fan art has greatly contributed to my artistic development, but more recently and more importantly, it's helped me remember why I love drawing so much and why I've been doing it my entire life. 

In the next year I intend to put more of a focus on original ideas, but I will continue to highlight some of may favourite fan art sources, personal work, and artists to follow, right here.

- Pokémon -

Instagram has recently seen a rush of Pokéfans inventing their own regions and detailed Pokédex entries. Alongside these ambitious creators are plenty of artists, illustrators, designers, and fans of all descriptions (myself included) reimagining classic creatures in their own style, here are a few of my favourite artists to follow:

ONE @macintyrerath / @mickeysmons / @rizoyoregion

TWO @paperbeatsscissors

THREE @mattgreenholt