"Love Letters" tells a very personal story that sits close to my heart. It represents the bonds that I've built with fellow Brampton creatives — bonds that are irreplaceable and have changed me for the better. Despite growing up in Brampton and attending art programs here, I felt like I was alone because my peers had either left the city or set art aside in favour of other pursuits. But now, I have met these incredible women here who have forever inspired me and made me more than proud to be an artist from the same city. In my design, I have drawn elements that represent them and their practices, for example: a vase made by our ceramicist, yarn for our knitter, stickers around the room for our stationery artist, etc. The figure on the couch is a portrayal of me drawing, surrounded and inspired by all the art tools and knick-knacks that represent these women. With my piece, I hope to overall celebrate the diversity of creative practices/artists in Brampton as much as it is truly a love letter to my creative friends from this city.
Carlena Jean
