I’m so excited to share that this year, we raised $1,200 for the
@victoriahospicesociety! This is the fourth year I’ve donated a portion of my November sales in honour of Mom’s birthday, and together we’ve reached an incredible total of $5,200 raised over the past four years! It means so much to me to support them in memory of Mom. Their care and compassion helped my family through one of the hardest times in our lives. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your
kindness and support!
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P.S. If you missed the fundraiser, there’s still a way to support
@victoriahospicesociety! I’ve got a box of greeting cards available there, and 50% of all sales from those go straight to them.
2024:
This November, I’m donating 10% of all online and market sales to
@victoriahospicesociety, in memory of my Mom’s birthday! You’ll also find greeting cards for sale there (3rd floor, Richmond Pavilion Building), with 50% of those sales going directly to them. This has become an annual fundraiser, and in the past four years, we’ve raised $4000 together! December will mark 5 years since she passed, and as I reflect on this journey, I want to continue honoring her by supporting
the incredible organization that cared for her with such love.
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This year, I’ve wrestled with how to keep sharing my mom’s story. Early on, I felt so burnt out I considered stepping back entirely. Speaking about her memory while selling my art isn’t easy, as I never want her legacy to feel transactional. It took me a few months to realize it wasn’t talking about her that felt heavy, but that I felt like I was only speaking of her loss. It began to feel like I was misrepresenting her memory by focusing only on her absence. Carrying her legacy feels like a responsibility I’m proud of, yet am still figuring out—and likely will for years to come.
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Today when I think of my mom, Margaret, I remember her warmth, passion, and unstoppable spirit. She loves food, nature, movies, art—she never ran out of things to learn. Today I’m sharing photos of her that capture her just living her life - eating ice cream, hiking, exhibiting her watercolour paintings, running the restaurant, birdwatching at Esquimalt Lagoon, or eating a crepe at the Oak Bay Night Market with Dad!
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Mom taught me to appreciate the world around me, and to this day, I attribute every good thing in life to her—a sunny day, a good painting streak, or the spark to explore somewhere new. She’s why I started drawing the places that meant so much to us, a journey that continues to help me process grief and love. Capturing our city is my way of carrying forward her curiosity, her joy in simple things, and her love for life. Talking about grief isn’t easy, but celebrating her life lightens the load. Thank you to everyone who supports my work and helps me honor her spirit.
2023:
I really struggled with whether or not I should come out to do markets on Mom’s birthday and on the anniversary of her passing. Some might find it odd, perhaps too heavy, but in a way, it's my tribute to her. She wouldn't want us to be sad. It's not that I disregard these dates; it's just that I sense her presence every day. I don’t think of Mom as having 'left' me; she's a part of my daily life.
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My art studio is her art studio. I’ve made some changes, but it’s still ours. I
use her paints, her paintbrushes, and I have her trinkets on my windowsill. I live in the house I grew up in. I fry an egg in the same pan she used. I cook the same recipes she did. When I see the windflowers and peonies bloom in the garden, I know she planted them.
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So when someone told me the other day that it really is such a shame that Mom never got to see me tackle the art business, I thought it was strange because that thought hasn’t really occurred to me. I feel her so strongly still, in everything I make and do.
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With that, I'm beyond proud to announce that we raised $2000 for the Victoria Hospice Society! This fundraiser marks the third year of my commitment to donate a portion of November online and market sales. In our first year, we raised $600, followed by $1000 last year. However, with your generosity this year, we reached an amazing milestone of $2000! Together, we've collectively raised a grand total of $3600 over these three years!
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The Victoria Hospice Society has been a lifeline for my family and me during tough times. Their care and compassion are immeasurable. Supporting their cause in Mom's memory feels like continuing her legacy. It is extra special because Mom was also an artist, and I cannot imagine a better way to utilize the gifts she gave me.
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Thank you, everyone, for making this possible. Here's to keeping her spirit alive through art, kindness, and gratitude.
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PS) If you missed my fundraiser, I have a little box of cards for sale at Hospice where 50% of all sales will be donated to them. I’ve got all my Christmas and best-selling designs there!
2020-2022:
This is the Richmond Pavilion building at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. This is where @victoriahospicesociety lives and where my Mom began her career as a unit clerk.
She loved working here - some days were hard but every day she felt fulfilled. My Mom loved to help people and would often volunteer to translate for chinese patients. I’ve had countless people tell me about how my Mom helped them or their loved ones through their hospital stay. I know the idea of hospice can seem daunting, but this has never been a scary building to me. When my Dad was teaching me how to drive, we would practice on the weekends in the parking lot while waiting for my Mom to get off work. Even after Mom transferred out of working in hospice and into the cardiovascular unit, we would take the odd stroll through the peaceful rooftop Hospice Memorial Garden.
When my Mom’s cancer stopped responding to chemotherapy, we spent months in and out of the hospital. It was a blur of ever-changing medications, appointments, medical jargon and dizzying worry. By the time she was transferred to @victoriahospicesociety , Mom was so relieved she could finally rest without being poked or prodded.
It was in the rooms of this building that I began my art business - two days after my Mom was transferred into hospice I drove to London Drugs with my brother and didn’ t even shop around before buying an Ipad. You can tell how puffy my eyes are in the photo from crying but I was determined to draw all of our favourite places for Mom. The first place I drew was our restaurant, Tombo Japanese Restaurant. I barely knew how to draw digitally but Mom loved it nonetheless.
Looking back, it is such a blessing that we had six weeks together before Mom left us. It took the hard work of an entire army of doctors, nurses, technicians, counsellors and more. It was by no means easy but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It felt like we had been climbing the largest mountain for five years and could finally sit together at the top and enjoy the view.
The hospice society gave us that time together, and helped us keep Mom comfortable enough to enjoy it. I’ve been taking advantage of their grief counselling services too and could not imagine where I’d be without them. There wasn’t a single day in their care that we weren’t grateful for their never ending support. That’s why in honour of my Mom’s birthday this November, I’ll be donating 15% of all online sales to the @victoriahospicesociety. Please join me in supporting a wonderful charity that helps people every single day!
