2021 was a crazy year – a combination of paralyzing anxiety, languishing lows, and dizzying highs. I was fortunate to work on several fantastic collaborative projects across mediums with some great artists and organizations, and put some finishing touches on my long overdue Mixed Blood Manifesto project.

shades of grey

The early part of the year saw me finish a number of works for my Mixed Blood Manifesto series. I was also able to complete and transcribe interviews with the subjects. Snippets of the conversations were posted on my instagram, with the full interviews to be published in a zine that will accompany the works.

black designers of canada

Late in the summer I had the opportunity to create a large scale mural in Toronto celebrating Black Designers of Canada and its creator, George Sully. Due to countless covid-era circumstances, the mural posed quite a challenge. Timelines were very tight! But with the help of friend and local artist Leone McComas and a great support team, we did it. The entire piece was crushed in about a day and a half. Following completion, the reveal was filmed for a spot promoting the #TDThanksYou campaign. It must have been 400 degrees, but totally worth it.

the artwear puffer x The Bay

In September, a collaboration I worked on with VRY x The Bay was unveiled. The Artwear Puffer was a project celebrating inclusivity through art. The limited drop featured 6 unisex puffers with specially designed details in the body, a book, and coordinating puffer mask from Canadian BIPOC designers. Among those featured was homie Mony (shout out Mony for putting me on!). I was very stoked on how this piece turned out. The lining features a tiled mesmo illustration of an owl, and the jacket’s colour is perfect. Also, the jackets in this limited collection all feature a fill made from 100% recycled water bottles. Right on.

the queen

Also in the fall, I was contacted about submitting an illustration to decorate one of Toronto’s oldest markets. St Patrick’s market was a spot to stop for a slice back when i was in school, messing around Queen St. West. The concept pulled from all the things I loved about Queen W past and present. Shops and attractions, culture, fashion; some long gone and some still thriving. The custom glyph type around the border lists a number of these spots.