“A Day in the Life” with muralist and model, Sydonne Warren

Sydonne Warren is a visual artist, graphic designer, model, entrepreneur and current Mrs. Calgary pageant crown holder. Born in Jamaica, she currently resides in Calgary, Alberta. Her primary focus is designing and painting large-scale murals. Her work can be found all around Calgary.

Sydonne Warren was raised by her mother and aunt, and elements of their strength and beauty often appear in her artwork. She is a proud mother of three beautiful children, and I am lucky to be her husband. Her drive and ambition never cease to amaze me. She is a Southern Alberta Institute graduate in architectural design, graphic design and 3D modelling and is currently pursuing her Graphic Design Degree at the Alberta University of Arts.

Sydonne Warren believes that everyone can paint and that it can be a valuable form of therapy and empowerment. Sydonne enjoys giving back to the community by hosting painting classes at the Mustard Seed.

Her future goals are to paint murals internationally, specifically in Jamaica, and begin filming a documentary to showcase the rich history of her home country. She also aims to compete in international modelling pageants.

Written by Steve Warren – Husband

In October 2021 the Calgary Black Chambers asked Sydonne to do a live painting and artist talk.
She shared her journey and painted this piece. It was auctioned off at the end of the night.
Sydonne Paints Murals around the city. This mural is called “Don’t shoot the messenger.” She painted it in 2020 after the Black Lives Matter protests to address the racist vitriol people were receiving when a proposal for a Black Lives Matter mural was presented.
Sydonne Warren
Meet Visual Artist Sydonne Warren. In 2020 She received an award for “Artist of the Year,” from Diversity Magazine’s African Caribbean Awards

Sydonne Warren

In January 2022 Sydonne Painted this mural for the local restaurant Chakalaka. They currently have a pop-up restaurant called Mama Africa. It features authentic Pan African foods.
Sydonne is apart of TREX. It’s a travelling exhibition that allows kids in rural communities to be exposed to urban art. Her pieces titled “The people’s Poet,”(left) and “City Protest,” (right) will be traveling to schools across alberta for the next 2 years.
Sydonne occasionally takes on commissions and loves painting black women.
Sydonne Hosts paint workshops at local restaurants. She teaches attendees how to paint portraits in her art style.
Sydonne Hosts paint workshops at local restaurants. She teaches attendees how to paint portraits in her art style.
Sydonne Warren
Sydonne is a commercial model and also serves her community as Mrs. Calgary.
Sydonne Warren
Sydonne is a commercial model and also serves her community as Mrs. Calgary.

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Which ‘hood are you in?

I live in Airdrie

What do you do?

I paint murals, large scale expressive portraits and abstract pieces, host paint workshops at local restaurants, mother 3 children, model and volunteer as Mrs. Calgary

What are you currently working on?

In the last month, I’ve hosted two paint workshops, and now I’m completing some commissions. I’m also working on an online shop, tutorials and applying for summer mural opportunities

Where can we find your work?

My latest mural is at the restaurant Chakalaka, also known as Mama Africa. I have other murals at Greta Bar, Inner-city Brewing, The Jamaican Canadian Association, on a retaining wall down Centre street, and two murals down Kensington Road.

 

 

About Demian Vernieri 543 Articles
Demian is an Argentinian retired musician, avid gamer and editor for the Montréal Guardian, Toronto Guardian, Calgary Guardian and Vancouver Guardian websites.