In 2016, I picked up a sketchbook and a HB pencil with the intention of trying–really trying–to create art.

I started small and showed the people who love me, seeking encouragement. Next, I drew for an acquaintance. They requested that I recreate a personal photo off their cell phone, but as large wall art. I garnered more requests from that success, commissions to recreate low quality photo reproductions into large portraits.

Creating art fed my soul, so I dispersed buisness cards for Picture To Pencil. I also graduated from using an HB Pencil into drawing with graphite and colour pastels. While learning new mediums, I played with molding clay, epoxy, watercolour, and now using acrylic paints has all of my attention.

Illustrating my books expanded my skills further (Falling, Sideways, and LoopyDoo). I have sold books at Farmer’s market stalls and boosted sales with photographic artcards and handmade felt Teddy bears.

Now, my original large artworks are displayed at Calgary, Kensington’s JMAC Studio (Tropic of Birch, Spectrum and Ethereal), with high quality reproductions available on my webstore, LjiSTORE, for order and delivery.

Artists in my life who inspire me: Cait Helten, Carol James, my MIL Shirley Iverson (RIP), and a long time ago in St. Albert, Jeanne Maloney with her stories books and soup (RIP).