Why I Create Art — My Story as a Freelance Artist in Canada

People often ask me how I became an artist. The truth is, I didn't choose art — art chose me. For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to colors, shapes, and the way a simple image can tell a story that words cannot. Today, I want to share the journey that brought me here — creating handmade paintings, detailed drawings, and custom murals from my studio in Toronto, Canada.

Where It All Began

Growing up, I was always the kid with a pencil in hand. While other children played outside, I sat sketching faces, landscapes, and anything that caught my eye. There was something deeply satisfying about turning a blank page into something alive. That feeling never left me.

I didn't come from a family of artists. There was no formal training in my early years — just a raw passion and an endless curiosity about how things looked and felt on paper. I taught myself by studying the world around me, copying pictures from books, and experimenting with whatever materials I could find.

The Leap to Freelance

In 2015, I made the decision to pursue art full-time as a freelancer. It wasn't easy. There were months of uncertainty, projects that fell through, and the constant question from well-meaning people: "But can you really make a living from art?"

The answer, I discovered, was yes — but only if you're willing to put in the work. I started by taking on small commissions: portraits for friends, paintings for local businesses, and sketches for anyone who would give me a chance. Every piece I completed taught me something new, and every happy client gave me the confidence to keep going.

Every brushstroke is intentional, every piece tells a story. That's what makes handmade art irreplaceable.

Finding My Style

Over the years, I've experimented with many mediums and styles — acrylics, oils, charcoal, pencil, watercolor. But I kept coming back to three things that excite me the most:

• Handmade paintings — There's a warmth and energy in a hand-painted canvas that no print can replicate. I love working with acrylics and oils, building layers of color and texture until the piece comes alive.
• Detailed pencil drawings — The precision and patience required for realistic pencil work is meditative. Capturing the subtle details of a face or the texture of fabric with just graphite is endlessly challenging and rewarding.
• Custom murals — Painting on walls is a completely different experience. You're transforming a space, creating something that people live with every day. The scale, the physicality of it — there's nothing quite like standing back and seeing a blank wall become a work of art.

Life as an Artist in Toronto

Toronto is an incredible city for artists. The diversity, the energy, the mix of cultures — it all feeds into the creative process. I've had the privilege of painting murals in homes across the Greater Toronto Area, creating portraits that celebrate family milestones, and designing custom pieces for offices and commercial spaces.

What I love most about being based here is the variety of clients I get to work with. Every person who commissions a piece brings a unique story, a different vision. A couple wanting a painting of the place where they got engaged. A business owner who wants a mural that reflects their brand's values. A parent commissioning a pencil portrait of their child. Each project is personal, and that's what makes this work meaningful.

What Drives Me Every Day

After 10+ years of creating art professionally, the excitement hasn't faded. If anything, it's grown stronger. Here's what keeps me going:

• The moment of delivery — Seeing a client's face when they receive their finished artwork is the best part of this job. That reaction — the surprise, the emotion, sometimes even tears — reminds me why I do this.
• The creative challenge — No two projects are the same. Every commission pushes me to learn something new, try a different technique, or solve a creative problem I haven't faced before.
• The connection — Art connects people. A painting on someone's wall becomes part of their daily life, their memories, their home. Being part of that is a privilege I never take for granted.

What's Next

I'm constantly working on new pieces, experimenting with new techniques, and looking for exciting projects. Whether it's a large-scale mural for a restaurant, a detailed portrait for a family, or an original canvas painting for a collector — I approach every project with the same passion and attention to detail.

If you've been thinking about commissioning a custom artwork, I'd love to hear from you. Every great piece of art starts with a conversation — and I'm always ready to listen.

Related reading: Learn about my step-by-step painting process, or check out the complete guide to custom painting costs in Canada.