Meet the Artists Behind #YYSweet
Photo by Brendan Klem
If you still haven’t satisfied your sweet tooth by checking out Sweet Street (#YYSweet) at New Horizon Mall, you still have a chance! And as we approach Valentine’s Day (aka the day for love, chocolate and candy), there is truly no better time to immerse yourself in a life-size board game amongst giant gummy bears and larger than life chocolate bars, where you can finally put your childhood Candy Land skills to the test. But of course, none of this could be possible without some of Calgary’s brightest up-and-coming and already-established artists bringing your sugar-coated fantasies to life. Here are the faces behind #YYSweet:
Tyler Lemermeyer
Tyler Lemermeyer is an illustrator and artist living and working in Calgary Alberta. He has received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the school formerly known as ACAD as well as a Diploma in Digital Design from Vancouver Film School. Lemermeyer primarily works as an illustrator/designer creating work for a variety of different clients. When working on his own artistic practice he creates compositions using a minimal colour palette which document urban environments, people, and objects, drawing inspirations from the world that surrounds him. He loves working large-scale and in the public sphere and hopes to have the opportunity to create more public art in the future.
Rachael Meckling
Rachael Meckling is a fashion & beauty illustrator living in the Alberta Rocky Mountains. With a strong love for nature, women, fabrics and form, she paints whimsical, feminine subjects with a minimalist approach. With a Bachelor of Design from Ryerson University’s Fashion Communication program, Rachael’s illustrations can be seen in fashion publications such as FASHION and Flare, and she is an artistic contributor to companies including Saks Fifth Avenue, McKinley Burkart and Rockwood Luxury Homes. In 2018 she received support from RBC’s Emerging Artist program, and as a result is quickly emerging as one of Western Canada’s most sought-after multidisciplinary artists.
Ekaterina Shagaeva
Ekaterina Shagaeva of Dream Design & Decor might be known for her wreaths and giant flowers, but she also happens to be a graduate of the Interior Decorating course at Mount Royal University. Her wreaths have traveled as far as New Brunswick in Canada, and Florida in the US, and her giant flowers have been featured in a number of North American and European magazines. She’s innovative, offering one-of-a-kind photobooths with varying themes including Candy Land, Travel, Alice in Wonderland, and Fall/Thanksgiving.
Wari Pepple
Wari Pepple is a digital and traditional illustrator based out of Calgary, Alberta. Pepple draws inspiration from his passion for integrating diversity and often takes a fun and whimsical approach in his traditional comic book style drawings.
