About Marilyn
I never expected to become an artist.
Growing up in Toronto’s ‘Junction’ neighbourhood, I always loved the arts, creative spaces and storytelling, but the thought of becoming an artist never crossed my mind. Life took me in other directions — from becoming a licensed funeral director (a story for another time), to the travel industry, and eventually a long career in human resources.
In July 2019, my life changed unexpectedly when I developed a vestibular disorder. As my world became unpredictable, Krista, my life partner of over 30 years, encouraged me to try painting. What began as a way to find focus and connection gradually became something much bigger — a new way of seeing the world and, eventually, a new direction for my life.
As a self-taught Toronto artist, my earliest paintings began with rectangles, which eventually gave way to triangles. As I found my way back into the world, walks in nature became an important part of that journey. Trees, landscapes and the sky became a focus of my work. Today, my paintings are created entirely from hand-painted triangles using colour and geometry to explore nature, connection and resilience.
My work has been exhibited throughout Toronto, including my third solo exhibition earlier this year. In 2026, I also reached the quarterfinals of The People's Artist competition, placing among the top one percent of approximately 60,000 participating artists. I was then selected for the 2026-27 Canadian Art Showcase, where my work will be featured nationally over seven months.
After more than two decades in the corporate world, I left my career to pursue art full-time. It certainly wasn't the path I expected my life to take, but sometimes the most unexpected turns lead to the greatest silver linings.
Why the Triangle?
From the beginning, I was drawn to geometric shapes. As a self-taught artist, I experimented with different forms, colours and compositions, allowing my work to evolve naturally. Over time, I found myself gravitating toward the triangle. It wasn’t something I set out to do—it was a natural progression, and eventually the triangle became the foundation of my work and my visual language.
I begin with a triangle and build from there, one triangle at a time. Each shape leads to the next until the painting begins to reveal itself. What started simply as the way I painted has come to represent something more to me—movement, resilience and connection. Individual triangles come together to create something whole, and I think there’s something beautifully human in that.
Storytelling is part of that connection too. My paintings often become a starting point for conversation. Sometimes people see something deeply personal in them—a sense of familiarity, a memory, a place or feeling that takes them somewhere in their own lives. They share those stories with me, and those moments have become one of the most meaningful parts of being an artist. The art may begin with me, one triangle at a time, but the connection it creates belongs to all of us.
Stories & Features
Lost & Found in Light
A reflection by author Sara Aharon on art, light, transition and the unexpected connections that can emerge through a painting.