I work with bright colours and bold patterns to captivate people’s attention and fill them with delight. This is what inspired me to start my ongoing SMILE project—since 2007 I have created SMILEs all over the world, including in India, Nepal, Israel, Canada, USA, Mexico, Cuba, Spain, Germany and Amsterdam. I am continuing this exploration in my latest project, #365daysofsmile. Since 2016, I have been creating a daily SMILE artwork and documenting it on instagram @365.smile. To deepen my mission to connect with people through my art, I now host a #365daysofsmile mural workshop.
Working in public spaces, I try to connect with people through my art and grow the collective conversation about the power of positivity. I believe optimistic engagement is particularly important in our ever-changing neighbourhoods. Through my work, I try to build places where people are encouraged to smile at their neighbours, open their hearts, and embrace their diverse community. I am passionate about creating art that both aesthetically and psychologically brightens the streets and want to share my optimism with Toronto.
I love working collaboratively and am also confident working alone. Over the last three years, I have been creating custom large-scale artworks for clients including Facebook Canada, Airbnb Canada, the City of Toronto, the City of Mississauga, the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Toronto and the award winning public art group, the Steps Initiative. I am equally engaged in community work. Last summer I facilitated the creation of an intergenerational mural with 60 community members at Baycrest Health Sciences. This summer, I facilitated the creation of a painted patchwork quilt at the Elm Street YWCA/Winona's House, co-created a mural with the community at St. Felix Centre, and organized Women Paint, an all female street art jam.