Pickering Community Banners
During Covid-19 isolation, I needed to get out of the house. I would take breaks by going for afternoon walks to clear my head. One day I walked by a sign posted by the city of Pickering. It was a call for submissions for community banner designs to be put up around the city. It was a new initiative to promote local artists, whether students or established professionals. I was fortunate to have been selected. All my banners were created using Procreate and Adobe Photoshop.
2020
Live, Work, Play, Inspire
How I wanted to capture Pickering, is a multi-layer piece of symbolism that
resonates with me the most. When I think of living, I wanted to capture the nature of living near Duffins Creek. Fall colours of leaves in the wooden areas near my old high school Pine Ridge.
For work, we associate Pickering with energy. I didn't necessarily want to draw out the power plant but instead create floating light bulbs that symbolize ideas that power and drive our community. As a sense of balloons stringed together that empower us.
I cannot forget to include Frenchman's Bay or the waterfront at the foot of Liverpool Road. Our waterfront is where people come to play and enjoy the time with family and friends.
For the “inspire'“, I wanted to capture the youth. Who see that morning sunrise that glimmers over Lake Ontario to the starry night sky when you travel far enough north. It's all-encompassed as the leaves, lake, agricultural fields form the shape of a child pondering and dreaming about what a day is like in Pickering for them.
2021
The Roots of Art - The Brush
When I think about the theme around “The Roots of Art”, I think about myself as an artist. How it all began was in Pickering. I remember my parents signed me up for a painting class at the Pickering Recreation Complex. There I learned how to use a paintbrush with skill and finesse and using mediums like watercolour, acrylic, and oil paints. When I think of roots, I think of the large ones created by old trees. Trees like the Sugar Maple Leaf that surround the Durham region. Watching their leaves change colour in the fall around the Rouge Valley is a sight to be seen
The Roots of Art - The Mouse
As an extension of “The Roots of Art”, I reflect on the growth I’ve taken as an artist. I’ve worn many hats in , and one of the things I loved learning about is the advancement of digital art. I was an early adopter my career who loved signing out any books I could get out of the Pickering Library, or using the computer labs at my old high school ; Pine Ridge Secondary to learn Photoshop. Using a mouse to create visual wonders, such as capturing an old Sugar Maple Leaf tree by the Pickering Waterfront. I wanted to capture the waterfront at dusk. Like a large canvas ready to point and click a new creation for everyone to see.
2022
The Secret Life of Squirrels
Take a walk by Esplanade Park behind Pickering City Hall, and you will always see a black squirrel. You cannot help but wonder what these squirrels are thinking. I see them climbing trees. I see them chasing other squirrels around. I see them digging out for peanuts and eating them under park benches. I like how when I am walking by the gazebo in the park, the squirrels will stop to watch me walk by. Hoping for me to give some kind of food.
City Hall Rabbits
During my evening walks, I would walk by Pickering City Hall. Around Esplanade Park's back, I occasionally saw a rabbit lying on the grass. I’m so used to seeing black squirrels mostly around city hall. Out of curiosity, I followed the rabbit to the area back of the public library. The rabbit ran under a tree. As I walked away, more rabbits came running out from under the tree. It was an exciting sight to see. It was like a fairytale moment I pictured in an animated movie.