Participating in the Toronto Art Battle was an exhilarating experience! The event featured 12 talented artists going head-to-head in a live painting competition across three intense rounds, all vying for the title of champion. The setup was incredible—right in the middle of the venue was a stage where artists showcased their skills and battled it out in front of an enthusiastic crowd. With just 20 minutes to create a winning canvas, the pressure was on!

For my piece, I painted a vibrant, glossy depiction of a dog, bringing it to life with bold colors. Interestingly, another artist also chose to paint a dog, but they used an airbrush machine, speeding through their piece with remarkable efficiency. Although I didn’t take home the win, I had an amazing time. The energy in the room was electric as art lovers and fellow artists circled around the stage, cheering and supporting each painter.

One of the unexpected highlights of the night was the reaction to my outfit. I ended up getting more compliments on my look than on my painting! I was rocking a matching set of boots and a button-up shirt featuring Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights." I have to admit, it was a great fit, and it certainly turned a lot of heads. Overall, it was a fantastic evening of art, creativity, and community—I can't wait to do it again!