What led you to become an illustrator? Since as young as I can remember, drawing has always been my thing. I carried a sketchbook around everywhere, and I loved drawing and creating anything from people and fashion designs to dream interiors and video games. I loved Archie Comics as a teenager, I think part of my passion for drawing people came from that. Throughout high school and early University I was commissioned by friends and family to create paintings, logos, and even tattoos. I moved cities in my second year of university to pursue a Bachelor of Design degree, where I incorporated illustration into as many of my design projects as I could. When I graduated in 2018, I bought an iPad and continued drawing while I started my first design job for a tech company. In 2020 I opened an online shop and created an Instagram, where I posted some art prints I had been working on. Orders started coming in and before I knew it I was selling hundreds of prints and started getting illustration commissions. I wasn’t even really aware illustrating was a “real” job with so many possibilities, as I always considered it just a hobby and passion. I am so glad things worked out this way as it really is my dream career!Where did you grow up? I was born in Canada, but grew up on a small island just outside Boston. Having a military parent, I moved around from Boston, to Virginia, to Rhode Island, before settling in Ottawa, Canada. I love being a dual citizen and honor both my American and Canadian background.Do you have a childhood memory relating to art that you hold dear? I incorporated drawing in literally everything I did, and my family always supported and nourished that passion. I remember typing up, printing, and drawing on a menu I made up, then bringing it with me to the park to make sand “food” for my family. Also, my local newspaper once held a contest for kids to create Spring-inspired artwork, and mine was chosen and printed in the paper! As I grew up, I’d spend hours alone in my room drawing people while making up their life stories and interests. In high school I got in trouble a lot for doodling all over my handouts.Where do you live now and what drew you there? Since moving to Toronto for University, I’ve made it a home here. I was drawn here from a smaller city as it had more opportunities especially in the creative field. I visit Florida as often as I can as I prefer the warm climate much more to Canada. In the future I do see myself moving to a more tropical climate, most likely in the US.Describe your studio for us I have plans to update my studio into a more artsy, colorful and creative space. For now, it's a spare room in my penthouse condo with a beautiful view of the city. I’ve filled it with plants, as well as colorful vases and decorations. On my desk I have an extra monitor, laptop stand, iPad stand, and phone holder for recording my process. Something I’d love to add are shelves to display all my printed work: books and magazines I’ve illustrated and subscription boxes I’ve worked on.Who or What is your biggest inspiration? I am very inspired by women– our diversity, beauty, bodies, hair, we are all so unique and one of a kind. I am also inspired by feeling, whether it’s nostalgia (I love the late 90’s’ and 2000’s eras) or the calm I get from the ocean, sunshine, tropical weather and plants. I incorporate all these elements in my work as much as I can.If you could collaborate with another artist or creative of any genre, living or dead, who would it be?I would love to combine my love for music and illustration by collaborating on an album cover with a Hip-hop or rap artist. I love the album artwork on Kanye West’s Graduation album cover from 2007, and would love to create artwork just as vibrant, iconic and timeless.What’s your favourite way to spend a day off?I have very few of those, but I love what I do so that’s alright. I usually take Friday or Saturday nights to dress up and go out for nice dinners with my partner, my favorite is during the summer on patios. I also love binge watching a new TV series, I especially love psychological thrillers or anything with drama. I think “escaping” reality is really important and fun, so I love to find something to do that takes my mind off work and everyday stresses. What's your most prized possession and why?I’d have to say my home as a whole. I’ve put so much time and effort into decorating it and making it a place I love spending time in. It’s filled with plants, unique decor, and has a beautiful balcony and view of the city from the 43rd floor. You can check out some videos of it on my instagram highlights. It’s also tied with a few rare vintage clothing items I love.What causes are you passionate about?Growing up with a single mother, I am very passionate about any causes supporting single mothers and women as a whole. Also anything related to black and LGBTQ+ communities as well as people living with disabilities, as all these matters have affected my life and/or those that I love. How do you separate your work life from your home life?It can be hard when you work from home, I’m definitely guilty of using every inch of my home to work in, rather than having a designated spot. I try to use the office mostly, but sometimes I do like to relax on the couch while working too. My rule is to set times, rather than places, so I’ll tell myself at this specific time, I am closing down all work-related stuff, and doing something for me. Time management is also a big part of that – I work really hard and try to be as productive as possible, so that I can also take days off to enjoy self-care, friends and family.Do you collect anything? I collect coasters from different restaurants of places I’ve visited, they are like art! I have a few really nice colorful ones that also bring back great memories. Also anything Seinfeld related, as it’s my favorite show of all time. If I see anything related to Seinfeld I’m buying it. So far that means artwork, clothing, LEGO set, DVDs and a candle.What do you listen to when you work? I always have something playing in the background, whether I’m working, cooking, getting ready, etc. Usually it’s Seinfeld, I already know every episode word-for-word but there’s something calming about it, otherwise it’s a podcast or music. I love Angela Yee’s Lip Service podcast, which is a group of black women who discuss relationships, dating, life, etc. with various celebrity guests. My favorite spotify playlist is my Throwback Hip Hop/Rap playlist, which is over 24 hours of some classic late 90’s and 2000s songs.What is the first record you bought? It was the mid 2000s when I first started buying albums, so a few firsts were Usher, Chris Brown, Britney Spears, Lil Wayne, etc. This is my favorite era of all time, mostly for the music, culture and fashion. My absolute favorite album to this day is Kanye West’s College Dropout (2004). I had my walkman to play all my CDs, and later on a mp3 player, and was very dedicated to staying up to date with the latest RnB and Hip hop music.What was your favourite assignment ever?My favorite project (and actually my first real big freelance project) is children’s book Bushyhead. Not only did I love illustrating this book to life, but I love the message and working on it felt almost like a love letter to my younger self. The author, Peta-Gaye Nash, was amazing to work with, and she beautifully told the story of a young girl with a big curly afro, who was teased at school and hated her hair. I could resonate with Bushyhead, and loved how the story turned out, and not to mention the colorful, playful and warm illustrations I created.If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go? I love the beach, ocean, palm trees and sun, so I would love to go anywhere warm and tropical with a care-free and positive culture. I’ve heard great things about Hawaii and Caribbean islands so those are definitely top of my list.What is your go-to comfort food?My favorite is Caribbean food– jerk chicken with oxtail gravy, rice, coleslaw, and pasta salad. I also love Chick-Fil-A, I don’t know why but it makes me happy. My order is a spicy chicken deluxe sandwich meal with cherry coke.Is there any random thing you consider yourself an expert on?Seinfeld, for sure. Also while obtaining my degree I worked for a few years as a makeup artist at MAC, I was the only artist who hadn’t gone to school for makeup artistry, but had the highest sales at my location. I loved coming in with a new fun look everyday, and I still have my magic touch and a lot of knowledge on products. Is there a work lesson you’ve had to learn the hard way?I’ve definitely had to learn to be more assertive and speak up, which doesn’t naturally come easy to me. I’m a very sensitive and empathetic person so I always worry about upsetting others, but I’ve learned nothing is wrong with being assertive or voicing my opinion.What career advice would you give your younger self?I went through two years of a Bachelor of Psychology before transferring to a creative program, with plans of becoming a lawyer, because I was afraid of the “starving artist” narrative and wanted a career that I was guaranteed to be able to support myself with. It took my friends encouraging me to follow my passion and talent, rather than opt for a career I will be bored with, to finally realize I need to take a chance and at least try to pursue a life I will actually love. I am extremely glad I did. So I would tell my younger self and anyone else who feels torn about following a path they are really excited about, to go ahead and take that chance, and pick a career path that feels right to you, do your research, talk to successful people who have done what you want to do, and find a way to make your dream your reality.
