Jeremy Shantz
Jeremy is a Montreal-based interdisciplinary creative mind. Born in the interior of BC, he studied classical painting and sculpting at UBC Okanagan, and film studies at Emily Carr. Having exhibited internationally as a traveling artsman, Jeremy lives for the moments of creative collaboration.
KEVIN LEDO
Kevin Ledo’s artistic practice has crossed back and forth through the boundaries of mural, street art, fine art, and art installation, focusing on the human form interlaced with geometric abstraction.
He traces his influences and inspiration to a multitude of forces including iconography, psychology, Buddhist philosophy, music, graphic design and photography. Firmly grounded in classical painting techniques and materials while plugged into contemporary perspectives, Ledo also brings his elegant, often stylized approach of realism to his compositions.
The subject and approach to Kevin Ledo’s artwork changes according to whether it’s public art or his personal explorations in fine art. While there is a common visual thread between these different activities, his public art has several different considerations that are taken into account before creating, such as the neighborhood the mural is set to be in; the history of the area and the audience. Ledo’s public murals are often celebrations of people and diversity and aim to relate to the communities they are found in.
SANDEEP JOHAL
My parents immigrated to Canada from India with my siblings in the early 70s. I was born soon after in Kelowna General Hospital and grew up in Rutland South (from K-12 through to my first post-secondary degree at UBC-O formerly OUC). I spent a lot of time in Rutland, from Sundays at the Sikh Temple with my family to five years as a part-time Youth Care Worker at Rutland Boys and Girls Club.
At that time, Rutland had the reputation of being a bit rough and tumble, but on return visits through the years, I’ve seen it transform and I believe Uptown Murals will be a positive turning point in its continued transformation.
Public art has drastically changed the landscape of the neighbourhood I currently live in. Mount Pleasant, Vancouver, a neighbourhood with a historically similar background to Rutland, has become the recent anchor of Vancouver Mural Festival. For the past three years, VMF murals have transformed the neighbourhood into an outdoor art gallery by unleashing mostly local talent on un(der)utilized spaces like alleyways and nondescript walls.
I paint murals because they’re accessible to the public, activate and beautify space, engage people with their environment, boost local small business, and foster a sense of community pride and joy.
MONO SOURCIL
Being a muralist from a metropolis, I am particularly interested in the diversity of the populations that make up my environment. Obviously, whether by choice or necessity, it is the phenomena of migration and exodus repeated throughout history that led to the appearance of cosmopolitan cities, such as Montreal. Thus, heterogeneous societies tend to coexist, somehow, in the same territory, sometimes restricted. From this coexistence arise a variety of such gatherings, cultural events, festivals, demonstrations, assemblies and other phenomena of crowds and popular movements of our urban everyday life. These gatherings promote, among other things, cultural sharing and hybridization, social progress and inclusion, mutual help, acceptance, etc.
Thus, I illustrate in caricature my vision of the individual in Western society. I generally use a process of accumulation of various characters, in order to represent a society where the coexistence of sometimes human beings, sometimes fantastic, refer to a dense, diversified and multicultural vision peculiar to big cities.
In addition, my murals have a playful character, by the association that the spectators make with themselves and their entourage or by sometimes believing that they recognize famous personalities, among the illustrated figures. Moreover, by the repetition of characters, the result is a kind of motif that can recall a tapestry. This pattern has the advantage of harmonizing with any type of wall architecture or to be segmented without affecting the composition of the image.
In definitive, through my imaginary crowds, I try to convey notions of coexistence and celebrate the richness of the existing differences in each of us and for a harmonious living together.
MONOSOURCIL APPROACH
TAKA SUDO
Artist Statement
Born and raised in Tokyo, now residing in BC Canada. Taking influences from those totally different environment to create the unique style of artworks, but most powerful and true inspiration is meeting people with amazing creativity from all over the world.
Scattered abstract elements composed of neon color, neutral color, subtle lines and bald paint strokes etc assemble into organic shapes, to find out strong true energy among real and unreal. Those scattered various elements in abstraction are the representation of our environment, existence, daily life, current affairs, information, and each person’s passion, energy etc.
Through the chaos in my artworks I wish people can find their own neutral spot. I hope to create a mural for people in Rutland Kelowna to find their own dynamo to start bright day with beautiful people.
ALI T. BRUCE
I’m a visual artist, muralist, and tattooer in Vancouver, BC. I moved to the city from a small town in Northwest Ontario over a decade ago to pursue art. After recieving a BFA from Emily Carr University, I started freelancing in art and illustration. A few years later I studied communication design at BCIT to develop my technical skills. In the time to follow I started my first murals, learned tattooing, and continue to make visual art and branding for big and small businesses.
My work is versatile while staying recognizable, I find inspiration from changing disciplines, experimenting with new materials, and doodling every day.
JORDEN AND DAVID
DOODY
Jorden and David have been working as a collaborative art team for over 16 years and are focussed on bringing art to the public. David is currently working at UBCO as a sculpture instructor and Jorden is finishing her MFA degree focussing on assemblage sculpture and murals.
David and Jorden are the Artist Directors and Project Managers for the Uptown Mural Project. They are dedicated artists, collaborators and facilitators for all involved in this exciting world class mural initiative.
Priscilla Yu
Characteristically vibrant paintings, her art is inspired by the perceivable patterns that exist in everyday life through textiles, design, and architecture, as well as nature’s universal patterns on both the larger and microscopic scale. Through abstracted points of perspective and a geometric language, she creates worlds that dwell in a strange gravity mixed with personal symbology. Her process often employs stylistic constraints as a means to draw out imagery from her subconscious.
LIZ AND DYLAN RANNEY
Liz is a painter, illustrator, graphic designer, and instructor living in the Okanagan Valley with her husband and two daughters. Her artwork is high energy with bright and bold color, and she explores ideas of connection, interaction, expression, timelines, and beauty. Liz graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2012 from UBC Okanagan, and works primarily as a portrait artist and graphic designer.
Dylan is an Okanagan based inter-disciplinary artist and musician. His visual artwork focuses on humanity, psychology, and impressions of the metaphysical. Dylan is also an advocate for Live Music in the Okanagan, and is currently performing in multiple bands as a drummer and vocalist. Dylan graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts from UBCO in 2013.
Sheldon Pierre Louis
Sheldon Pierre Louis, a member of the Okanagan/Syilx Nation, is a multi disciplinary Okanagan/Syilx Artist. Sheldon’s ancestral roots have influenced his works in painting, drawing, carving, and sculpting. Sheldon sits on the board of directors for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan in his second term as well sits at the Board for the Greater Vernon Museum and Archives. His work has been published in the Arts and Council Guide for the North Okanagan 2016 and 2017. Sheldon is a recipient of the First Peoples Cultural Council’s, Emerging Artist Development Award for 2015. He is a co-founder and the lead visual artist of the Kama? Creative Aboriginal Arts Collective & is a member of Ullus Collective, both groups based in Syilx Art. As a member of the Re-Think 150: Indigenous Truth Collective Sheldon has worked on a youth mural in conjunction with the Kelowna Secondary School’s Honours Art 12 class.
Kristin Grant
Kristin Grant created Urbanheart more than 10 years ago. She now paints murals internationally, creating over 100 works of art for yoga studios in places like Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand, as well as in homes, restaurants, spas, acupuncture and massage studios. Her style is inspired by nature and geometry, as she interprets how we are all connected to the universe. Her techniques vary widely from airbrushing, mixed media and hand painting, giving her artwork a wide range of style and texture. Her intention is to make art that inspires people to feel the flow of life energy and ultimately make the world a more beautiful and joyful place. When she is not travelling the world, she resides in Kelowna, BC.
Kathy Ager
Kathy Ager (1981) is a Canadian-born artist based between Vancouver, Lisbon and Amsterdam.
It’s what flows beneath the surface that interests her. In Ager’s current body of work, she braves the mind’s basement, ventures into the heart’s deep dark woods, plundering pieces of people and things she encounters. The images that emerge are physical records from these intimate depths. Both deeply personal and universal, they are cryptic messages directed towards the audience. She challenges the viewer to face the discomfort and to see the beauty and power in letting yourself feel. She describes subjects such as dead animals, which frequently appear in her paintings, as the intimate and tender offerings of our nature which are subjected to the subtle brutality of consumable, disposable modern life and love. Sometimes strikingly eery or underlyingly violent, her works are crafted in a way that is original and appealing to the eye, and in a way become her weapons against the pain of letting oneself be vulnerable.
LACEY AND LAYLA
Contemporary female mural artists Lacey Jane and Layla Folkmann have been working as an artistic duo since 2010.Working exclusively as a synchronized duo, they have produced over 100 murals all across Canada, from an over 4,000 square foot farm silo in the Ontario countryside to the notable Rogers Place hockey arena in downtown Edmonton. Internationally, they have painted in Honduras, France, and Northern Uganda where they volunteered with an orphanage and an arts centre for the reintegration of former child soldiers. After over a decade of professional collaboration, Lacey and Layla have forged a notable career with a specialization in monumental public art. They have and continue to work with a number of influential businesses such as Microsoft, Absolut Vodka, Simons, and Yves St. Laurent. They have collaborated with organizations such as MURAL Montreal, MU, stART Up Toronto, Mural Routes, as well as multiple other arts councils, arts organizations, and festivals.
Specializing in the use of traditional applications of brush and acrylic paint, Lacey & Layla focus on the creation of relevant and contemporary portraiture and vivid depictions of real people from diverse and local populations. Community engagement and interaction is a point of both pride and inspiration for Lacey & Layla. They believe that the creation of successful public art starts by building palpable relationships with local populations. Having relocated from Montreal in late 2019, they currently operate out of Vancouver and Edmonton where they are dedicated to their collaborative efforts in meaningful and engaging public art and developing their individual studio practices.
NICK SWEETMAN
Nick Sweetman is an independent, multidisciplinary artist from Toronto. His practice, based in painting, has explored photography, video, installation and mixed media. Sweetman completed his MFA at OCAD University in the Interdisciplinary Art, Media & Design program.
OLIVIA DI LIBERTO
Olivia Di Liberto is a freelance artist and graphic designer located in Vancouver, BC. Her work focuses on illustration, installation, painting and mural art. She is influenced by the 1960/70s counterculture and uses vibrant illustrative elements, specific colour palettes and intricate line work to convey a feeling of cultural nostalgia. Vintage design and psychedelia is often referenced alongside her inspirations through her love for music, nature and travels.
JESSE CAMPBELL
Jesse Campbell is of Métis, Cree, Scottish, and English ancestry currently living in traditional Lekwungen territories. He has been a practising mural painter since 2010 and has helped produce many public art pieces throughout Greater Victoria and is now leading his own projects throughout the city. In addition to his mural practice, Jesse spends time mentoring youth on the craft of mural painting and understanding the diverse forms of Indigenous art across North America. Since a youth, he has been inspired by the work of natural historians throughout the world as well as the writings of Joseph Campbell and the stories of the knowledge keepers of the territories he has lived. Jesse began taking his art more seriously while being mentored under Alex Clark, a long-time teacher in the Victoria School District who recognized his talent and taught him to live and work in a good way. Jesse hopes to continue passing on these teachings through his art, his collaborations, and his students.
TYLER KEETON ROBBINS
Multidisciplinary, self-taught, and always evolving, Robbins consistently maintains a heavy illustrative style that transcends his medium of choice. With internationally exhibited works ranging from pen and paper, paintings, and murals of up scaled mark making, Robbins continues to explore the softer side of abstract symbolism, applying evocative form to diverse surfaces. He has worked closely with brands such as Starbucks, Burton, R.E.I., creating large scale prints for in store design, textile, and hard goods.
Robbins currently lives in the Okanagan Valley with his family, working out of his studio at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna BC
Tyler Toews
Tyler has been creating art since he was a child, and working as a commercial artist since the year 2000. Specializing in large scale murals Tyler started a business called Canadian Murals in 2002. With Canadian Murals Tyler has completed close to 100 pieces for cities, municipalities, and businesses that can be seen across Canada.
Over years of painting numerous subjects in murals and executing tens of thousands of square feet of painting, Tyler has refined his craft. He is currently focusing his work on a series of fine art oil paintings that explore our relationship with the natural world. Passionate about the outdoors, his artist’s eye captures the heart and feeling of each subject painted.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Tyler currently works and resides in Nelson BC.
John Ross
John F. Ross (b. 1984, Toronto, Canada) is a Canadian painter creating contemporary works charged with personal and sociopolitical narratives. A graduate of Studio Art from York University, John has been exhibiting his work since 2006 in Ontario and Alberta and can be found in private collections across Canada and Europe.
John lives and works in Calgary.
"My stories always begin as an impulsive set of images that collect within the borders of a scene. Though guided by a structured conceptual theme, these scenes don’t profess any specific or absolute meaning. They are an invitation to seek out an untold story."
DORAS
Doras is an award winning multi-disciplinary artist, illustrator, muralist and director based in Montréal, QC. He graduated from OCAD University, Toronto’s illustration program in 2012 where he received the gold medal in for his series “Genius”.
Currently, Doras is pursuing his long-held interest in public art and has completed several large scale mural projects since 2017. His style is colourful and dream-like, often combining historical ornament and iconography with the language of contemporary fantasy. His large-scale pieces draw from his background in illustration, featuring objects, scenes and characters that might easily have been ripped from the pages of a book.
Peatr Thomas
Tansi my name is Peatr Thomas, I am Indigenous to Turtle Island, Ininew (Swampy Cree) and Anishinabe (Ojibwe) is my identity.
Being a first generation by-product of Canada's Residential School Systems, navigating colonial systems, and being a self-taught Indigenous person, life has its challenges. Finding art, culture, and tradition is was a way to cope with the recycled trauma, and a way I continue to work on healing from the past and present. I feel by sharing the teachings I am taught, as well as ones I have learned/learning, they can help Indigenous peoples and peoples of all.
I moved to Winnipeg for high-school, graduating in 2005 and became a carpenter for the following 10 years. All the while practicing visual arts in many mediums (Acrylic, aerosol, pencil, and pen), graphic design (Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign), and videography (Film, write, and edit). Finally making the change to become a full-time artist, entrepreneur, and youth workshop facilitator in late 2015, I have since been travelling across Turtle Island, sharing my skills, knowledge and life experiences. I am always looking to assist youth, groups, and communities, anyone working towards a bright healing future for themselves, and community.