This series emerged from my personal experience of stress induced cardiomyopathy — also known as Broken Heart Syndrome. Over the course of my recovery, I was forced to reflect on what led me to that event, and to work through it. In order to heal, I had to find peace: to reset, and restore my energy.
The series focuses on that stage of restoration: the bold colours, mixed media, and irregular lines evoke tension and release, thought and action — the tiny changes and big ideas that help repair a broken heart. With their richness and complexity, these statement pieces help bring a sense of harmony and purpose to any space.
"Then and Now" and "Reset" are available for purchase as prints in the capsule collection at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) shop.
My art is a form of storytelling; I connect to the canvas with my heart and soul. I believe my work reflects distinct answers to personal questions, with universal connections. I am inspired by self-discovery and exploration, and carry that spirit through my experimentation with colour, medium, and technique.
While the works are both abstract and personal, each piece is also created to bring viewers in, and invite them to consider their space, their thoughts, and their own stories. Tiny changes and big ideas that help repair and try and bring a sense of harmony. In art, our possibilities are endless.
Working with paper offers an additional layer of creative freedom, enabling me to experiment and engage more deeply with my artistic practice. It allows for a greater sense of liberation, fostering exploration and expression on a more nuanced level. I begin my process with charcoal, which serves as the foundation, and subsequently build upon it using acrylic paint, oil sticks, and pencil. The gestural marks I create possess an organic, whimsical quality, while at times, more forceful strokes are incorporated. Some pieces embrace a minimalist approach, setting a distinct tone. Ultimately, the overarching influence of Mother Nature is profoundly evident throughout this body of work.