Artist Statement

True Songs is a deeply personal series born from a year of transition, reflection, and reconnection during the pandemic. Having spent eight years away from Canada, I returned feeling like a stranger in my homeland. This series became a way to explore British Columbia and rediscover a sense of belonging amidst the uncertainty.

Through travels across Osoyoos, Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, West Kelowna, Vancouver, Victoria, and Revelstoke, I sketched, sanitized, and captured moments of how we lived during this time. I witnessed loneliness, small joys, and the quiet determination that carried us forward. These shared experiences reminded me that, despite the isolation, we were navigating this together.

Each evening, I transformed these observations into watercolor, soft pastels, glitter, salt, and water on paper. The flowing watercolors mirrored my emotions, while the textures and layers gave shape to fleeting yet powerful moments. Over time, the series grew into a visual storybook, with titles serving as prompts to connect with the work on a deeper level.