Loulou's views

Exactly one year ago today, a terrible event took place in Ottawa that shook us all. A young father, and a Canadian soldier, was shot and killed while he stood sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Ottawa's War Memorial. As I mentioned last year, through darkness, comes light, and as Canadians (and decent humans) we came together in amazing ways—we went back to work the next day, we left flowers and letters of love at the War Memorial, and we wore red, while saluting our fallen soldier on the Highway of Heroes. We mourned the loss of this young man, because of all he represented; life, youth, a Canadian, a soldier, a father, a son, a friend. My mom, artist  Katerina Mertikas , created a painting that day, because she was so sad and overcome with emotion.  She had no idea this painting—the original which now hangs in our Mayor's boardroom— would cause such a buzz and would be so well-received. With the help of Koyman Galleries and The Ottawa Citizen, prints w...

Last Monday was a very special day for my family and I. My mother's painting, Honouring My Father, was unveiled in Mayor Jim Watson's boardroom at City Hall, where it will be on display next to original paintings by The Group of Seven. The painting will be seen by school groups, ambassadors and dignitaries who visit with the mayor at City Hall. An enhanced print will also be on display in City Hall for everyone to see. The best part is how much this painting has already given back to fallen soldier Nathan Cirillo's son, Marcus. The paining was made after the tragic shooting at the War Memorial  because like everyone that day, my mom was distraught at the news that a young man—a brave soldier—was tragically shot, especially because this man was a single dad, raising his young five year old son, Marcus. It was an incredibly sad day for Ottawa.  News of the painting travelled far and wide, and my mom received hundreds of emails, likes, requests, suggestions, and messa...

Last week, a terrible thing happened in Ottawa that affected us all. In the span of a week, we tragically lost two soldiers, one of whom was shot down as he stood sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Ottawa's War Memorial. It was an incredibly difficult day , and week. However, through darkness, comes light. And as Canadians, and residents of this amazing capital city, we came together in beautiful ways. We went back to work the next day, in the downtown core. We payed respect by leaving flowers, notes, and stuffed animals at the War Memorial. We wore red, and we put on our poppies a little earlier. We saluted our fallen soldier on the Highway of Heroes. We mourned the loss of a young man, because of all he represented; life, joy, youth, and a proud love for his country. He was a also a single father, and now, he's left behind a young child, a little boy who will always know what a brave man his father was. My mom, artist Katerina Mertikas,  quickly got to work ...

As much I love to travel and explore new places, I also love the arts. Having grown up with a professional artist as a mother, I have learned to appreciate art in an entirely differently way. One of my first jobs was working in a fine art gallery downtown, and I've almost never missed one of my mom's art exhibits across Canada. When we traveled to Boston, we made sure to pop into any art gallery we stumbled upon while exploring the city.  Massachusetts is very artsy , and is home to some of the world's finest museums , like the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. Although Norman Rockwell was born in New York City, he moved to Stockbridge, Massachusetts in 1953 with his family. I love the art of Norman Rockwell—I love how he so perfectly depicts the time period, and the real, every day, American life.  The museum features original artwork of Rockwell, the most you'll find anywhere in the world. It also includes his personal memorabilia, supplies, and...