Community

Paul Cocker is a Kitchener based art hobbyist known for his black and white pen and ink illustrations. After a long break from drawing, he returned to art as a personal creative practice and has been sharing his work online for the past four years. Influenced by comic books, caricature art, and horror films, Paul’s work focuses on line, texture, and cross hatching. His creative process is rooted in enjoyment, experimentation, and the calming, meditative nature of drawing.

Kate Stavniichuk is a professional artist born in Ukraine and now based in Canada, whose practice is shaped by resilience, intuition, and deep personal experience. Largely self-taught due to limited access to formal training, she developed a distinctive artistic voice at a young age and began exhibiting internationally in her early teens. Working primarily in realism with elements of hyperrealism and surrealism, her work explores perception, spirituality, and the idea that reality is subjective.

Tish Leupen is a seasoned modern quilter with decades of experience in sewing, textiles, and visual art. After studying Clothing and Textiles and exploring traditional quilting, she found her creative voice in modern quilting, drawn to bold colour, clean lines, and originality. Her practice centers on quilt tops, hand appliqué, and needle turn techniques, often created on the go. With a background in painting and mixed media, Tish continues to evolve her work, embracing experimentation, community learning, and creative freedom in retirement.

Helen is a long time community supporter whose creative journey began in childhood and continued steadily through life. From early drawing and design to stage sets, posters, and personal studio work, art has remained a constant alongside family and career. Now retired, Helen dedicates daily time to drawing and creative exploration, finding fulfillment in a home filled with her own work. Her story reflects perseverance, balance, and a lifelong commitment to creativity as a source of joy and meaning.

Discover our first blog guest, Ryan Christopher Thompson, an artist who "draws them until they speak." A multidisciplinary thinker, Ryan uses everything from oil paints to digital art to tell stories when words fall short. Ryan discusses his "character-first" approach, his inspiration from Calvin and Hobbes, and the emotional tribute he painted for a rescued dog named Sammy. Explore how curiosity and nature guide his unique creative journey.