I’m known for my colourful art that mainly depicts youth, children’s activities, and scenes from our Northern Canadian lifestyle — hockey, skiing, kids catching the bus, and simple moments of daily joy.

I started painting and drawing when I was very young and always knew it was something I wanted to pursue. It’s not an easy path, but I was very lucky. About 37 years ago, I brought a painting to a gallery in Ottawa — a scene of children walking through the woods. It sold right away as the gallerist was looking at it, and that image went on to become the first UNICEF card ever created from an Ottawa artist’s work. That was truly the beginning of my art career — a moment of serendipity.

Over the last 35 years, I’ve continued to paint children because I love them. I have two daughters and five grandchildren, and I believe children are our future — we were all children once. Many collectors tell me, “That reminds me of me when I was young,” or “I don’t have any photos of myself like that.” It’s very sentimental for them, and for me as well. I’ve had people write to me after losing their homes or precious memories, asking me to recreate what they’ve lost in my paintings. That kind of connection means a lot. My art is about joy, happiness, youth, life, and colour. The first thing people usually notice is the colour — then the children.

I come from Greece, a very colourful country, and I think that’s where my love of colour began. Even when I paint a Canadian winter, you’ll often find purple mountains that remind me of my home country, which I still visit often.

I paint with acrylics because they dry quickly — essential when shipping artwork. I love oils, but acrylics suit my process. I apply them thickly, so people often can’t tell the difference. Every day, I wake up grateful that I get to do this. I work from around seven in the morning until six, and if I have a show — like my current one with Koyman Galleries — I’ll often paint right through to midnight and get up again at four. It’s a passion, a drive. People say, “You’re lucky to be self-employed,” but it’s not luck — it’s discipline. I’m very disciplined and passionate. The only downside is the mess — paint everywhere, on my hands, my clothes, my car, my purses! My studio is always a disaster, and my husband ends up cleaning it. That’s really the only part I don’t love. Otherwise, it’s the perfect profession.

Another thing I love about my art is that it gives back to the community. Since 1993, when UNICEF first used my work, about 18 of my paintings have been made into UNICEF cards, helping children and communities in need. In Canada, I’ve also supported organizations like the Canadian Lung Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

One project especially close to my heart was with Koyman Galleries after Corporal Nathan Cirillo was tragically killed in Ottawa. That day, I painted a small piece of a boy saluting his father. My daughter shared it with the newspaper, and it appeared on the front page. Koyman Galleries suggested making a limited-edition print, and the proceeds went to Corporal Cirillo’s son, Marcus. Together, we raised $75,000 for his family — it was an incredible experience that brought the whole city together.

I continue to donate my art for fundraisers and causes, including breast-cancer research and clinical trials. My daughters and I have been creating Calendars of Hope for the Ottawa Hospital — they’re sold across Canada and the United States, with proceeds supporting cancer research.

Art, to me, isn’t just about creating beauty. It’s about giving back, inspiring others, and expressing gratitude for the chance to do what I love every day. I truly feel blessed.