Where We Stood is one of the most personal paintings I have created.
It captures the Alberta Legislature grounds on the day thousands of educators gathered in red to stand together for public education. We stood for our students, for our colleagues, and for the belief that every child deserves the support and opportunities they need to thrive. From above, the crowd became a sea of red—a powerful reminder that individual voices become stronger when they are united by a shared purpose.
Rather than focusing on the details of the protest, I wanted to paint the feeling of that day: the courage to stand up, the hope that change is possible, and the deep sense of community that carried us forward. The Legislature stands as a symbol of where decisions are made, while the figures below represent the people whose lives are shaped by those decisions.
As both an educator and an artist, this painting reflects two parts of who I am. My classroom and my studio are both places where I believe in the power of creativity, empathy, and possibility. Where We Stood honours the moment we came together—not only for ourselves, but for the generations of students who deserve a strong and vibrant public education.
It is a reminder that some places become part of our story, not because of where they are, but because of what we stood for there.
Where We Stood is one of the most personal paintings I have created.
It captures the Alberta Legislature grounds on the day thousands of educators gathered in red to stand together for public education. We stood for our students, for our colleagues, and for the belief that every child deserves the support and opportunities they need to thrive. From above, the crowd became a sea of red—a powerful reminder that individual voices become stronger when they are united by a shared purpose.
Rather than focusing on the details of the protest, I wanted to paint the feeling of that day: the courage to stand up, the hope that change is possible, and the deep sense of community that carried us forward. The Legislature stands as a symbol of where decisions are made, while the figures below represent the people whose lives are shaped by those decisions.
As both an educator and an artist, this painting reflects two parts of who I am. My classroom and my studio are both places where I believe in the power of creativity, empathy, and possibility. Where We Stood honours the moment we came together—not only for ourselves, but for the generations of students who deserve a strong and vibrant public education.
It is a reminder that some places become part of our story, not because of where they are, but because of what we stood for there.
