Download catalogue essay by India-Lynn Upshaw-Ruffner

As Tall As a Tree

For years now, my family has been the main source of my inspiration. As the fourth child, my household has always been hectic and full of love out of my Haitian parents' five children. I've lived with my parents and siblings my entire life, and although we share the same blood, we do not have much in common and are widely different from one another. Nonetheless, I think that us being so dissimilar from each other makes up for a unique dynamic and fun discussions that inspire me to come up with interesting concepts such as my pieces As Tall as a Tree and Daze. As Tall as a Tree is based on my younger brother Joshua who, as a child, used to constantly compare his height to mine to see who was taller. By the time he reached the age of 16, he finally towered over me, and I've since felt some distance between us. I consider Joshua as the sibling that I am the closest to, and I've made this painting as a way for me to accept the fact that he is flourishing into an adult and needs the space and mental freeness to do so. 

About the Artist

Wendy-Alexina is a Haitian-Canadian comic artist and illustrator based in Montreal, Quebec. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, the young artist creates comic illustrations, detailed drawings, and paintings that depict herself and her family's life honestly and humorously. She is currently in her final year as a Studio Arts major at Concordia University. Although she is looking forward to graduation, she appreciates all she has learned and is excited to launch into her career as a professional artist.