About the Artist, Norma Abou-Rizk

Buckle up for the rollercoaster adventure that is my life! A girl who lived in 5 countries, jet-setting to over 40 others, changing addresses more times than she can remember. But the real plot twist happened when the pandemic hit, turning my world upside down and, unexpectedly, turning me into an accidental artist.
 
Picture this: March 2020, post-Costa Rica adventures, and there I am, confined to my couch, desperate for some distraction during quarantine. Little did I know that my quarantine savior will be Art. Inspired by a childhood dream of owning a real colorful parrot (shoutout to Mom for the toy version), I decided to dive into the colorful world of Art. Animals, sunsets (see my most popular sunset painting below), abstract art, fluid art, resin art – you name it, I tried it.

The pandemic turned me into an artist, and surprisingly, I loved every messy bit of it. Creating Art became my emotional therapy, a lifeline to sanity during uncertain times. It wasn't just about splashing colors on a canvas; it was about creating joy and warmth when the world needed it most.

Believe it or not, within just two months of picking up a paintbrush, I snagged my first art commission. No, I wasn't secretly a Picasso in my pre-pandemic life – in fact, I hadn't touched a canvas since my school days! Fast forward, and I've now delivered over a dozen Art commissions and even dabbled in making resin coasters that were selling faster than I can create them.
 
But the fun doesn't stop there. Last December (2023), I decided to set up shop at a Lebanese Church Christmas Market in Ottawa. What's my latest artistic endeavor? Faith-based Art! Think biblical bookmarks, coasters, ornaments, wall art signs, and Christmas cards. I was on a creative spree, infusing a bit of spirituality into my brushstrokes. Below are some of my latest creations!

 So, cheers to unpredictable events, sometimes those life twists paint our present and future in the most unexpected positive way!