City of Nanaimo Banners: 2024
A rendering of my winning entry for the 2023 City of Nanaimo banner competition.
Vulnerability time.
Several months ago, following the end of my marriage, I found myself unable to engage in anything remotely creative. Drawing, painting, working on my books, or even listening to my favourite illustration podcasts—all of it seemed beyond reach during one of the most stressful periods of my life. This was so confusing because, typically, art was my go-to method for decompression. My therapy!
With the guidance of my friend Eshu from Monarch Trancework, I came to realize that my mind had formed an irrational connection between the trauma I experienced and my artistic expression. It seemed like a defense mechanism, with my subconscious linking the creative process to the challenging time, perhaps as a way to prevent a recurrence of the pain.
I couldn't shake off this creative block. Then, as I was in the midst of packing up our house in Seattle, the announcement of the Nanaimo banner competition caught my attention. I had won twice before—once during the end of my very stressful pregnancy; and I had found the experience very therapeutic back then. This competition felt like a potential escape from my creative rut. And I love a good deadline!
So, I immersed myself in the work. Unlike my usual approach of submitting multiple options, this time, I had only one concept in me. My four-year-old joined in, assisting with colour selection, and I made sure to incorporate her favourite colour, purple, anticipating that if selected, we would pass by these banners daily on our way to daycare.
The joy I felt upon learning that my banner was chosen surpassed the typical victory of a design competition. To me, it felt like a 'welcome home' gift—a waving banner guiding me back to my hometown. Nanaimo, I am immensely proud to call you home and to be immersed in your culture. This community holds profound significance for me, and I am honoured to represent it.
My first banner win back in 2019. Pictured with my daughter who was only a few weeks old at the time.
