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What is the heart of your brand?
The heart of my creation exists within the eternity of the natural power we have to express our belongingness, sensibility and reality on Earth. My artwork (painting, graphic design, photography, illustration, installation, video), merges together to form a layered dimension in colour, time sound and feeling – birthing new realities that are relatable to everyone. These new realities are uplifting, and inspiring – also allowing the viewer to expand their creative awareness, and tap into their senses. The equilibrium of my creation is meant to be healing and transformative for myself, and those experiencing my work.
How long have you been creating, and what motivated you to pursue artistic expression as a career?
I have been creating for as long as I can retain memory! – 14 years. I have always seen through a lens that re-sensitizes my surrounding and life-world experiences. This keeps me motivated for the reason being, it feels infinite. As I continued in my academic career in psychology, my art was in the background for the first 4 years. I have a continuous itching to create and connect, and I needed to combine my art and psychology together, so I studied major of psychology with major in history of art. This opened up the world of art through cultures, movements, periods, nature and more. Imprinting myself with all of these beautiful creations, I became an Art Therapist. Studying with a psychotherapist in clinic, learning how to conduct psychotherapy and hypnosis through art. My academia allows me to heal individuals from trauma, stress, anxieties, depression and other illnesses. One year later, I am completing a Masters Degree in psychotherapy, spirituality and counseling. My ability and
inspiration to heal through art becomes greater than my clinical experiences – it is naturally birthed into connections I am continuously making in my life – these are my connections to fellow creators, scholars and visionaries. When I let go of my connection to psychology, I am able to create from an excited and beautiful place – that feels good! Now, these two need to be separated.
Throughout my academic career, I was creating, and naturally I was continuously brought opportunities to create with highly developed creators I admired, and this especially motivated me, because I was being seen and my work was needed. My community is also a huge motivator for me – I am surrounded by numerous creatives, and they work hard to bring our community together and inspire others to be creative as well! Those within my circle, and throughout are very musically and artistically expressive. The music I am surrounded by, particularly Funk inspired my earlier style of paintings of nude women illustrated in funky, and expressive movements. I have curated, as well as been apart of solo and group exhibitions with these paintings. Recently, a journalist interviewed me about my nude figurative paintings, and lead my to realize my freedom with painting nude women, versus photographing or illustrating nude women and sharing it on social media. My artwork of nude figures I share on social media is censored – and it actually changes my process because I have to censor out specific parts of the female body so it doesn’t get removed from my portfolio. During the time of one of my solo exhibitions in Ottawa, Canada, the journalist of the exhibition stated, “we do prioritize women and trans people as artists in the store just because there is less representation of those voices in mainstream art spaces” – here my artwork was in a specific environment where censoring women wasn’t tolerated.
My motivators are external and internal processes – as along as I stay connected to music, movement, colours and visionaries my future is creation.
What is the base of your creative process like, and does it differ between outlets or various forms of expression?
I will describe this through internal and external processes.
Internal
Internal process is my idea and inspiration for creating something. I typically experience visions of colour, sound, movement and meaning before I begin a new artwork. I combine several of my senses together from my environment, positive emotions, and music to help me concretely develop a piece. I want to feel empowered, and I want others to feel empowered as well through my artwork. Sometimes this means using bolder colours, shapes and movements to create the message. We all need colour and movement in our life to feel
alive, and I wish to expand this more with my creations – particularly with video and music. Moving through my own emotions and life-world, I know what makes me feel good, and I know what makes the creators connected to me feel good as an empowering collaboration.
Mediums | Photography, fractals, illustration, drawing, painting (acrylic & India Ink) and illustration. My most recent artwork consists of photography, fractals, illustrations and graphic edits. My photographs are captured during my travels, or organized photo shoots. I then combine my materiality together, layering my photos with illustrations and designs.
Internal and External
Internal and external creation is when I am connecting with other creators – each
creator is working together to create something beautiful. This could be for either creators platform, such as music, graphic design, fashion, and so on. An example is a musician wanting to collaborate on an album cover, such as my project with Rhye.
External
External attribution to creation is being commissioned for a specific artwork that is not connected to my life, such as a portrait.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Most of my inspiration is drawn from philosophy, music, fashion, designers, connection, and my eternal experience with all of these. My inspiration can also depend on the moment – if I am collaborating with someone who has different ideas then I do, I can become inspired in a whole new way. I am constantly learning and studying art, culture, music, nature and fashion, for this reason I am constantly innovating my ideas and creation.
What materials are you using to create your art?
Materials I use: Acrylic paint, India Ink, organic materials, chalk and pencil, graphite, illustration software, photoshop, Adobe Creative Cloud, Olympus OM-D E-M1, Sony 35mm, Praktica LTL 35mm.
What makes your art sustainable?
For a while I was creating Earthworks, also known as Land Art. I was studying Earthworks in university, while writing a thesis on Ancient Chinese Watery Art. My research branched into Taoist philosophy, the essence of nature, cosmology, and the universe existing as Yinyang. Ancient Chinese artwork, and contemporary Chinese artwork focus on the importance of water and earthworks as these elements are mirrors of the creation of the universe. For a period of time throughout my studies I was painting with Chinese ink blocks and water – sustainable material. I was also painting with organic materials and India Ink, and created a painting for the research of science at my university, which highlights the scientific theory of supersymmetry: the idea that every particle in nature has a twin, opening up a parallel universe. Cards of this painting were printed and imprinted with its meaning and innovative science messages, and sent to every university in Canada.
My most recent artwork is still in relation with sustainability, such as my collaborations with designer Object and Dawn – as their pieces preserve global heritage.
On a personal level why, how & when did you decide to create art?
Why? Creating is few of the only things that make sense to me, it feels very natural and is unstoppable. Creating visually and musically is how I express myself and my life-world. I decided to create when I learned creation was a form of expression – and this was at a very young age.
How has been staying true to your own vision contributed to your success? – Are there any downsides in doing so?
I work on my art every single day. If I miss a few days or even a week I feel behind in my innovation. Focusing on my artwork, making connections and staying true to my own vision and expression has opened all of the doors I could imagine opening thus far, and I know it is only the beginning. The downsides in putting almost all of my energy towards my art is my lack of focus towards my psychology career, which I have spent a lot of a time and money towards as well.
As an artist do you feel any responsibility for creating awareness for our current environmental issues?
Yes, as an artist I feel responsible for promoting awareness about our environment, and especially mental health – I hope to figure out more ways to do this along my journey.
How does nature inspire your work?
Nature is all the sounds, visions, and movements I experience – and this is deep inside of all of us. It is important to come back to nature, and give back to nature through all she has given us to create with.
What’s your relationship to nature?
My relationship to nature is very natural, weaved and networked into my existence. I gather inspiration from my adventures within nature, particularly the Canadian woods, Rockies and waters. When I am intentionally or in the moment going into nature to create, I am using photography, or creating Earthworks in the woods and taking photographs of these to bring home and create collages, or edits. My Canadian life is also a very adventurous and nature oriented life, living on and surrounded by indigenous land and people. I have driven from Nova Scotia to the tip of Vancouver Island, which is 4594.61 km. My sister and I camped in nature almost every night for over two months, shopping for our food locally at farmers markets, visiting local artisanal shops, cooking our food on a fire every day, and experiencing the deep depths of nature. I also worked on an organic fruits and vegetable farm for seven years! Nature has always been apart of my life and meaning. My partner and I own land in Quebec, we have been aiming to create an eco-tourism business, and/or have an eco-friendly business.
Do you believe in the future of humanity?
Yes, our future is innovative, and technology will help immensely with the sustainability of our future.
What are some easy steps you can do to live a more sustainable & conscious lifestyle?
Some easy steps you can do in your own life to live a more conscious lifestyle is: buying bees wax paper to wrap your food, own only a few stainless steel containers, you don’t need plastic, really! Stop buying fast fashion, there are artisans everywhere, and second hand clothing. Pay attention to the second hand clothing you’re buying from as well, some are overpriced and are not charity oriented. Even though you’re buying vegetables and fruit, they can be coming from so far away from your country… full of pesticides and are managed unethically. If you live somewhere warm where food grows all year around, buy locally! Canadian winters are hard for this, as we do not grow food in the winter, but we do have small businesses with ethical produce. Of course, do not eat meat everyday – I’m not saying eat tofu, cause that’s not any better for the environment either, learn about legumes. Grow some of your own food if you can.
Where do you see your role in creating a non toxic environment for future generations? What are your hopes for the future?
My land, eco-tourism business, my psychotherapy career, and bringing people back to nature and divinity though art. I also began creating a non-toxic environment when I decided to go Vegan for 6 years. I am no longer vegan, but a more conscious consumer.
What is your mission? Call to action?
To connect and expand consciousness through art to create safer, healthier and happier environments.
What’s sexy about eco-friendly fashion to you?
Eco-friendly fashion is oh so sexy, because it is natural. There is nothing sexier than our own innate skin, and connecting as much as we can to our primitive roots. I will also mention, I worked for an Indian clothing and textiles designer for 3 years called Tempol – free trade, and natural clothing. Completely immersed and surrounded by beautiful and expressive clothing, designs made with veg-dye, silk, and ink block paintings. Most of my clothing is from Tempol, or is handmade and 100% hemp.
How do you think art can convince the fashion world to switch to sustainable practices?
By also showing how sexy it is, taking photographs in nature – naturally viewers will be inspired to go back into nature. Convincing the buyers to shop sustainable is also most important – industries sell what people think they need or want.
How do you vote with your dollar?
I almost only shop locally, from small businesses, second hand and use reusable items in my household. I also invest my money in land, and mental health awareness.
What are some of the major challenges you have met? What are some of the greatest moments? How do you honor mother earth every day?
Greatest challenge is my academic career and deciding which direction to take. Leaving behind what does not serve my values. Starting from scratch, and having little help along the way. Finding equilibrium, holding onto my visions and seeing results.
Honouring Mother Earth day has truly become an everyday habit.
What does love mean to you?
Love for me is intimate, strength, resilience, universal and infinite. Love is God, and it is within everything and it will bring you peace.
Life Motto?
Stay in the moment of your natural rhythm, and keep dancing for eternity.
What are you working on next?
I am working on a Canadian psychology platform, creatively directing nude photoshoots, and collaborating with several artists who highlight censoring of the nude female body and trauma.
What does the term “Ecovocateur” mean to you?
Ecovocateur can be the central platform where sustainable fashion brands and artists are promoted – Ecovocateur is finalizing the true importance of nature and art, and how it can and does apply to all creators. The sex appeal of fashion doesn’t have to be conventional to the entertainment industry anymore, we can express our sustainable fashion in a naturally sexy way – which is our innate sexuality and empowerment we have as women (the mothers of the planet). Ecovocateur is expanding eco-friendly business owners understanding of their own intentions through the connection and definition the platform provides.
