She is creative, expressive, and never afraid to take up space. Whether she’s performing, building her brand, or stepping into new opportunities, Azaria moves with intention and authenticity. What makes me most proud isn’t just her ambition, but her resilience. She has faced challenges head-on and turned them into stepping stones toward something greater.

Behind the spotlight is a thoughtful, strategic young woman who understands the power of growth and reinvention. She dreams big, plans smart, and executes boldly. Watching her evolve into someone who inspires others simply by being herself has been one of my greatest joys.

Azaria Niko isn’t just chasing success — she’s creating her own lane, and I couldn’t be prouder to call her my daughter.

-Written by Mama Care

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Which ’hood are you in?

I reside in Mimico, right by the water. It’s a wonderful place to live. There are farmers’ markets from the Spring to the Fall with quality produce. I love to go for a run in the morning; there are so many paths you can take.

What do you do?

I’m a multi-hyphenate creative and entrepreneur: a signed model with Elite Model Management, actress and stuntwoman, music artist, dancer and instructor, and equestrian, while also building businesses, finishing my final year in Business Management, raising my twin daughters, and bringing faith, humour, and heart into everything I do.

What are you currently working on?

I have dedicated myself to a comedic social experimental show called Rogue Psychology, which is a must-watch! I am John’s friend, helping him navigate the world and conquer issues that need solving. The show is hilarious, and I cannot wait for the world to tune in.

Where can we find your work?

I am on IMDB and you can follow my Instagram

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Multidisciplinary Artist Azaria Niko appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

After years of pursuing art alongside other endeavours, Di Francesco has dedicated himself to creation full-time. This pivotal transition allows him to fully immerse in a style defined by an intense focus on light, colour, and energy, achieved through vibrant pigments and expressive brushwork that captures fleeting moments.

Di Francesco draws deep inspiration from his surroundings, using the varied light and texture of the Canadian environment as a constant muse. His artistic vision is influenced by past Canadian masters and Impressionistic techniques as well as Eastern art traditions. Rather than precise realism, his aim is to convey the emotional essence of a subject, transforming everyday observations into layered visual stories.
As he notes, “Art has always been a big part of my life… I am most passionate about oil on canvas. I love vibrant colour, and brush strokes that create energy.” His intuitive approach and use of saturated, juxtaposed hues build depth and warmth, ensuring his work resonates with a growing audience and cementing his place as a compelling voice in contemporary Canadian art.

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Which ’hood are you in?

I was born and raised in Little Italy with its unique sights, sounds, foods, and Chin Radio as a backdrop. It was a unique and magical place that bordered on Little Portugal, Chinatown, Koreatown and Kensington Market and a place where everyone seemed to be connected or related. Today, I’m often drawn back to this area to see the changes and to experience the wonderful fusion of foods and the tapestry of cultures that seem to have been woven together. It’s as if one neighbourhood has spilled into the next in a wonderful organic way. When I walk through, I often take photos like a tourist, sketch a scene or chat with someone I’ve just met. I love these walks.

What do you do?

I’m so busy these days. Where do I begin? Are you familiar with Plein Air? Plein Air is a French term that was made famous by the French Impressionist artists. It is a tradition of taking portable easels outdoors to paint in urban and rural settings. French artists would paint together in this way, supporting each other while learning and sharing ideas, techniques and approaches. They painted what they saw and felt in a way that was fresh, new, inspired and dynamic. A group of us casually started to meet and paint in this way.

I am a founding member of the Mississauga Plein Air group (SPag) called @saugapleinairgroup, which boasts over 400 members right now. This Plein Air group meets regularly, shares techniques, celebrates the city of Mississauga and southern Ontario and has become a driving force in the city’s art culture. Artists paint at events, heritage sites, in business centres and have had many group exhibitions. It hosts the annual Mississauga Plein Air competition, which has attracted participants from across Southern Ontario to compete in the spirit of Plein Air with prizes and a group exhibition as a culminating activity.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve always got a series of paintings on the go. I’ve just completed a Toronto Chinatown series of paintings, and now I’m in the midst of doing a series called the Personality of Trees. As part of @saugapleinairgroup, we have a group exhibition, some workshops and indoor painting sessions on the go. Who knows what 2026 will bring.

Where can we find your work?

I’ve got a number of paintings presently at 33 East Street Gallery in Goderich, Ontario, a painting at Visual Arts Mississauga, and another at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinberg. My paintings can also be viewed and purchased through @helloart.inc, @localart.store, my Instagram, and website.

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Angelo Di Francesco appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Farah’s books are about joy and about giving Brown people the happily ever afters she couldn’t find in books growing up. Her characters come to life with their unique personalities and quirks, and genuine joy that oozes off the paper. To write joy, you have to know it, and she is so happy to be living out her writer fantasies. Farah lives at home with her two kids, husband, and two adorable cats.

-Written by Anissa Heron

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Which ’hood are you in?

I currently live in Scarborough, very close to the buffs. It’s such a vibrant and diverse part of Toronto, and it has been a great place to raise my kids. I’m pretty outdoorsy, so I love that there are amazing hiking trails and breathtaking scenery right here, but it’s also so easy to get downtown for events, theatre and restaurants. That said, as a lover of great food, nowhere in the city compares to Scarborough for food. I was born and grew up in Toronto suburbs, so have lived the GTA my whole life and don’t see myself ever leaving.

What do you do?

I’m a romance writer for both adults and teens. I have 6 adult romantic comedies, all set in Toronto, about south-Asian Canadians navigating culture and family expectations while falling in love. And I have four young-adult (teen) novels (three YA rom-coms and one YA mystery) about south-Asian teens figuring out who they are and their place in the world, all (of course) while falling in love.

What are you currently working on?

Right now, I’m in promotion mode for my newest book, A Little Holiday Fling, which is my first holiday romance. It’s about a Christmas loving free-spirit who is weeks away from fulfilling her and her late mother’s dream of owning an inn in England. She needs to impress a grumpy holiday-hating dermatologist so he’ll introduce her to his hotel-owning family to get a foot in the door in the UK hotel industry. The book is full of all my favourite Christmas in Toronto places, like the Distillery Winter Market, skating at Nathan Phillips Square, and even shopping at the Eaton Centre.

Where can we find your work?

My books can be bought wherever books are sold! I encourage you to visit one of Toronto’s many independent bookstores, and if my book isn’t on the shelf, the bookseller can order it for you.

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Writer Farah Heron appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

-Written by Nancy Oliveri, Fine Art Photographer & Psychotherapist

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Which ‘hood are you in?

I live in the Bellwoods Park neighbourhood of Toronto, in the Artscape building, at the corner of Queen and Crawford Streets.

What do you do?

I work in my private studio in the Toronto movie industry as a scenic painter and have been working there for over 25 years.

What are you currently working on?

I just finished an exhibition of my portraits with the PH21 Gallery situated in the heart of Barcelona, Spain’s historic Gothic Quarter. I am also now exhibiting my works from the collection of Agnes b. in her gallery in Marseille, France.

I am currently spending the winter on Estero Island, working in my studio in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. I have been working on sculpting photographs printed on Hahnemühle archival photo rag.

Where can we find your work?

Facebook | Website

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Henry Banger Benvenuti appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Throughout those years, she painted for herself. In 2020, she decided to make it her focus and began working toward a body of work she could present together. Her debut at the Artist Project in 2023 brought gallery invitations, a solo show, and group exhibitions, leading to representation by Roberts Gallery in Toronto.

Over the 6 years since she re-focused on her art, her style has evolved and gotten stronger while staying true to her core ideas. On April 18th, Intimate Space, her third collection, opens in a solo exhibition at Roberts Gallery.

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Which ’hood are you in?

Dundas & Ossington

What do you do?

Still Life in a contemporary style, acrylic on canvas

What are you currently working on?

Finishing preparations for the upcoming show at Roberts Gallery

Where can we find your work?

Roberts Gallery, or visit my website

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Visual Artist Eliza Kozurno appeared first on Toronto Guardian.