Illustrator and architectural designer Frida Vokshi believes that Toronto is magical, a sentiment that is reflected in her evocative renderings of Toronto’s most iconic architecture and symbols. Her art is available as originals and fine art prints, on pullovers and mugs, and in a 2023 Toronto calendar – where she invites you to cut out and frame the prints and create your own city art gallery.
Working in pencil, watercolour, ink and digital colouring in Photoshop – and even coffee! – her passionate work makes you fall in love with Toronto’s vast and eclectic cityscape. Whether it’s a gorgeous watercolour painting of the Gooderham Building (a.k.a. Flatiron Building) or a whimsical portrait of one the city’s most ubiquitous residents, the raccoon (flanked by the Gooderham Building and the CN Tower, of course!), her work invites you to marvel at the magic of the city people love to hate.
Originally from Albania, Frida became interested in sketching and architecture as a child. Inspired by organic shapes and the works of architects Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid, she not only recreates her subject on the page, she transforms it into a scene of whimsy and wonder.
Magic is in abundance in her limited-edition print “Dancing on Ice”, in which the street has been transformed into an ice rink, the building reflected in the ice along with a passing skater; and in her work featuring a Toronto snowstorm, the city’s famous skyline slightly obscured by snow floating past like a foggy mist.
(Photo credit: Frida Art Design)
What we like about this artist
We love how Frida takes the existing features of the Toronto cityscape, as well as the architectural details of other places she visits, and breathes an air of wonder into them. Through her unique style of illustration, she can make any street scene or everyday object appear whimsical.
As she draws our attention to details we hadn’t noticed before (e.g., the Nobel Block at Queen and Spadina or a building on the U of T campus), she makes us see the features of buildings (e.g., a balcony, a window, a roof, a gate) in a completely new light. We dare you to not fall in love with Toronto when you see the city through Frida’s eyes. (Written by C.M.)
Ideas for where you can go from here:
- Check out Frida Art Design’s work.
- Pick one of Toronto’s iconic architecture buildings or landmarks, for example some that are featured as part of Doors Open Toronto (taking place every May) and do some urban sketching yourself.
- Check out this set of 5 postcards, featuring some of Frida Art Design’s illustrations of Toronto landmarks.
We love artists because they inspire you to look at things in a different way. Looking at things in a different way allows you to open your mind to other possibilities. Opening your mind to other possibilities is part of the flourishing offline life Young W helps you discover: by exploring CITIES and the other 8 pillars of Arts & Letters, including those you may be hesitant to try.
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