Hi, I'm Laani!
I am an artist, illustrator and designer based in Toronto. I work with a variety of media including digital graphic illustration/design and traditional watercolour and gouache painting depending on the needs of my project and what would suit it best.
I often hear that people say my illustrations are joyful, and this excites me because in my work, I've always strived to highlight the shimmering layer of magic that is woven into our ordinary world.
I love walking the line between playfulness and mysteriousness.
I studied fine arts at NSCAD University in Halifax, the oceanside city on Canada's east coast. There, I did everything from graphic design, to ceramics, to designing and making woollen winter coats. I graduated with a BFA with a major in textile & fashion design and a minor in art history.
My work has been featured with CBC Arts and in Uppercase magazine. My first illustrated children's picture book Pumpkin and Stretch created with writer, Vincent Teetsov was self released in 2020.
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Exhibitions
Past:
Packing Your Imagination CANSCAIP conference - Children's Illustrators Showcase, Toronto, October 2021 (virtual)
Papermill Gallery, Toronto - Society of Estonian Artists Annual Show, October 2021
Packing Your Imagination CANSCAIP conference - Children's Illustrators Showcase, Toronto, October 2020 (virtual)
Solo Exhibition- Music In Pictures: Illustrations by Laani Heinar for Estonian Music Week 2019, November 2019 - Spring 2020, Toronto
Mad Ones Gallery Toronto - Poster Design Show, August 2019
Packing Your Imagination CANSCAIP conference - Children's Illustrators Showcase, Toronto, October 2019
Mad Ones Gallery Toronto - Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Show, July 2019
CANSCAIP Children's Illustrator's Exhibition, May 2019
Art Square Gallery Toronto - Silver Moon Group Show, March 2017
Cardiff MADE Gallery, Cardiff UK - Floribunda Exhibition, April 2016
Off the Wall Gallery, Cardiff UK, March 2016
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