Q: Can you share how you first fell in love with making art? What drew you in and set you on this creative path?

A: It may be a bit cliche to say, but I've been interested in art since I was a child. My mom was always so supportive of my creative pursuits and I took every art class I was able to in school. There was always this need in me to be creative. Discovering that I could have a creative career through Graphic Design really set me on the path I'm on today, and being able to incorporate my illustration skills into my designs was really eye opening.

Q: When you're searching for fresh inspiration, where do you turn - be it a person, place, or piece of media? How do you transform that spark into something uniquely your own?

A: I look to nature, as well as books, galleries, and online sources. I find nature inspires me most, living on the Westcoast of Canada I am surrounded by beautiful landscapes, animals and plants. I take a lot of photos when I'm out in nature, or out in the city, you never know when you'll find something that sparks an idea. Usually I start with the tiniest spark of an idea, I'll see a painting, or a flower, or read a book, and then flesh out how I want it to look, whether it will be a series or a one-off piece. I'll bounce ideas off of friends and sometimes that turns into collaboration or mutual inspiration.

Q: In periods of self-doubt or creative block, what strategies or rituals help you rediscover inspiration and reignite your passion for making new work?

A: This is a tough one, because there have been times I've felt a creative block was insurmountable, but they never really are, I always manage to push past. Sometimes I have to go back to basics, make something simple just to get myself creating again after a block. Other times I just have to take a break and wait it out. I look to the wonderful friends and artist community I've cultivated for myself when I feel that self-doubt or impostor syndrome creeping in. Often I just need someone outside of my own head to remind me of my strengths and to help me work through my weak points.

Q: How do you envision your style evolving—are there new materials, formats, or conceptual directions you’re eager to integrate into your work?

A: I've spent the last few years focusing heavily on my digital work, I'd like to get back into traditional materials. I have an extensive watercolour collection and I want to really dig into that medium again, maybe see how it can be combined with my digital work. My digital work is constantly evolving as a learn new techniques or get new brushes or as software features are added or improved. So I'm sure I will continue on with my digital work as well. I have some plans for a couple of larger pieces and a number of unfinished works that I want to get back to. I also plan on continuing my Old Gods series, something about that subject matter has really been speaking to me.

Q: What guidance would you offer to artists striving to develop a recognizable aesthetic, especially around balancing experimentation with authentic self-expression?

A: Honestly, don't feel pressured into one stylistic direction, in my opinion versatility within your art style can be a huge benefit professionally. I know the traditional advice is to create a niche for yourself, but also don't be afraid to explore outside of that. I feel like a lot of artists stress over finding their aesthetic/style/niche but I think oftentimes it can find you if you let it. Creating is the most important thing, you can't make something great if you never make anything at all. Don't let the feeling of not having a "style" stop you from making the art you want to make.