Cantoo City® announces the return of the Advent Calendar of Creativity, a daily digital series from December 1 to 24. This year’s edition centers on our local community, featuring authentic stories from partners and everyday makers.

Discover simple art prompts, community stories, and practical tips—plus resources, product coupons, and early access to new releases and special offers. Designed to inspire creativity and keep you connected. Subscribe at www.cantoocity.com

Cantoo City® joined the RGD DesignThinkers Conference in Toronto, bringing the Doodle Square pop-up art experience to over 2,000 creatives. Centered on “Creativity is a human value,” the activation celebrated handmade art and marked our first major offline brand experience.

Have you ever found yourself rushing to finish a project, only to realize you missed the joy of making it? It’s easy to get caught up in trying to complete something quickly, but often, the most rewarding part is allowing yourself to slow down and enjoy each step.

Stuck in a creative rut? Don't worry, you’re not alone. Even the most imaginative minds experience creative block. Stress, fatigue, or simply falling into routine can make inspiration feel out of reach. If you’re searching for new ideas, here're a few ways to find inspiration in everyday life: Step outside, visit a gallery, or take in the scene at your favorite café. Colours, shapes, and everyday rhythms can spark fresh ideas. Capture quick sketches, notes, or doodles whenever something catches your eye. Over time, these small snapshots create a personal library of inspiration. Switch up your routine or try a new material. Exploring unfamiliar territory often opens unexpected creative doors. Talk or brainstorm with others, sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need. Give yourself time to recharge. Often, ideas come when you least expect them. Look for inspiration in the ordinary. A street sign, a cloud or a shadow on the wall can spark new ideas. The more we practice noticing, the more inspiration we discover in the world around us. Creativity rewards patience, curiosity, and attention. The next time you hit a block, remember: the next idea might be right in front of you. Sign up for Cantoo City's newsletter to receive art prompts, tips, and community news.

Looking for a fresh way to make your exercise routine more enjoyable and fulfilling? Blending creativity with movement can transform daily fitness into a source of energy and balance. Whether it’s sketching, painting, or keeping a creative journal, adding art to your routine helps nurture both body and mind. 

From the tropical landscapes of Chiapas to the urban streets of Mississauga, Melina Cossío’s art captures the quiet dialogue between nature and city life. Her story reveals how travel, culture, and change continue to shape her distinctive artistic voice. Her cityscapes weave light, texture, and memory into layered reflections of place, where the rhythm of humanity harmonizes with mother nature.

This Jamaican Canadian designer and illustrator blends fantastical realism with cartooning, focusing on children’s art and showing how storytelling and design spark imagination and growth.

This artist and art instructor from Kitchener, Ontario—Melissa Fitzgerald, known as "The Green Witch"—is all about embracing nature, tapping into her creative spirit, and adding a dash of joy to life. Growing up, Melissa was always a creative soul, whether it was jewellery making, crafts, creative writing, or her most recent passion—painting and illustrating. It was only natural for her to express herself this way, given that both her grandmother and mother are artists. While she's largely self-taught, she has been fortunate to have many mentors and teachers who continue to inspire and guide her. Melissa's art reflects her deep love and respect for nature and earth-based spirituality. Recently, she's been focusing on depicting fungi, plants, and animals in a magical, folkloric style. "If we slow down and listen, we can learn a lot from nature. The trees, the wind, the waves, birds, and bugs all have messages for us." She views her art as a devotional to these messengers, a way to celebrate and acknowledge their stories. Ink, wash, and wonder Melissa adores classic children's book illustrations, especially those by Beatrix Potter. She's also a big fan of fairy tales, folklore, and vintage botanical illustrations. Watercolour is her favourite medium because of its soft and translucent qualities. She finds it ideal for use with waterproof ink fine-line pens in an ink-and-wash style, but it's also exceptional on its own.  Over time, her style has become more detailed; she loves spending hours on a piece, watching it come to life with each tiny brushstroke. For her, the process is as important as the outcome—perhaps even more so. "Art is therapeutic," she explains, "and it should never be rushed." Play, experiment and have fun Melissa teaches watercolour classes for older adults, and they just love her! "It's such an honour to teach art in a community setting," she says with a big smile. "When I developed my classes, I wanted to share watercolour with beginner-level students in a way that emphasizes play, experimentation, collective learning, and community building." She believes art should always be accessible and enjoyable. Her goal is to create an environment where students feel comfortable enough to take risks and make "bad" art before they start to feel more confident with the medium. "I make bad art all the time!" she laughs, her eyes twinkling. "I don't take art too seriously. For most of us, it's something we do because we love it, not because we are striving to be the best. Pressure and competition really get in the way of creativity. I don't want anyone to leave my class feeling discouraged or like they don't belong. I want everyone to feel like they can do this!" We are surrounded by magic When Melissa is fully immersed in nature, time seems to stand still. She enters a nourishing state of flow, and spending an afternoon wandering the woods becomes "medicine for the brain." Crawling around the forest floor to observe bugs and fungi or getting her sneakers wet for a better glimpse of a frog in the swamp are all part of the experience. Her camera roll is filled with photos from these excursions, each one influencing her art. Sharing these magical findings with others brings her joy. "We are surrounded by magic; you just gotta go outside, take your time, and not be afraid to get a bit dirty," she says. In her painting and sketching, Melissa always references what she has learned about the subjects, both scientifically and symbolically. She's passionate about nature and folklore, exploring how different cultures throughout history have engaged with their natural surroundings. It's easy to forget that "we ARE nature." Adding whimsical touches—like a cowboy hat on a toad—is her way of reinforcing that connection. It makes her smile and breaks down the barrier between humans and animals.  "We should care about our fellow animals and be mindful of our impact on the planet we share with them."     What's on Melissa's exhibit, "The Dark Half: Mabon to Samhain," is a tribute to two of the three harvest sabbats celebrated in September and October. Themes of magic, gratitude, and abundance are woven throughout the pieces, along with concepts of symbiosis and natural cycles, including death. She believes in the balance of nature—embracing the entire cycle rather than resisting the dark and dreading the cooler nights. This mindset has shaped her work, as she aims to honour these themes and the ever-changing seasons. Visit Melissa's exhibition at the Waterloo City Hall, Berlin Tower ARTSPACE from September 13 to October 31. It's a great chance to experience her magical world and find your inspiration to connect with nature.