Lil vlog from a surprise weekend trip to Ottawa, thanks to @nzinghamillar 🫶🏽❤️
First time on a train (Toronto to Ottawa), got to see my art at the @nac.cna in person, and big thanks to the NAC for hosting us and gifting us tickets to an amazing show.
*Drone footage is from NAC*
If you didn’t get the chance to see it yet, Encoded in Us by Vanessa “Nessy” Thomas is the artwork lighting up the Kipnes Lantern at the National Arts Centre for #blackhistorymonth , inspired by coastal imagery and the deep roots of African Nova Scotian communities, as we continue to celebrate Black artists and communities all year round.
Si vous n’avez pas encore eu la chance de la découvrir, Encoded in Us (Ancré en nous) de Vanessa « Nessy » Thomas est l’œuvre qui illumine la Lanterne Kipnes du CNA pour le #moisdelhistoiredesnoirs , inspirée du littoral et des racines profondes des communautés africaines de la Nouvelle-Écosse, alors que nous continuons de célébrer les artistes et les communautés noires toute l’année.
For #BlackHistoryMonth, the Kipnes Lantern shines with "Encoded in us" by Vanessa “Nessy” Thomas — a powerful illustration inspired by coastal imagery and the deep roots of African Nova Scotian communities.
Pour le #MoisdelhistoiredesNoirs, la Lanterne Kipnes s’illumine avec "Ancré en nous" de Vanessa « Nessy » Thomas — une œuvre inspirée du littoral et des racines profondes des communautés africaines de la Nouvelle-Écosse.
2025 Artists Wrapped
– Down Home — my first time having work shown in a gallery! Huge thanks to @dalhousie_art_gallery for starting my year off right and giving me the chance to be part of something so special 🫶🏽
- Collaborated with @trevclothing for BHM 🙌🏾(forgot to add the picture but it’s on my profile)
– Collected some new music and hopped on a few planes — Saint Lucia, Martinique, New York, and Miami
– Created artwork for the McFlurry Anniversary Campaign (big shout-out to @mirrorimagemedia 🫶🏽)
- Another @halifaxmuralfestival of course 😊
– Got to be part of @aquakultre amazing album!
– And I wrapped it all up by celebrating my 30th birthday this year!👵🏾
I’m not super active on this page, but hopefully 2026 brings more to share and more dreams unfolding into reality. For now, I’m just grateful for the year that’s passed and excited for all the fun, unexpected things the future might hold. 💛✨
See ya around!
The community connections continue as this generation keeps our loved ones torch lit. I am proud to be Scotia Born. Proud to be representing my Family as we continue to connect with Scotian descendants across the globe!
Thank you @haliey.smith , @nessyrt and @garybealsmusic for collaborating with me on this new Scotian Anthem!
Listen to the song where ever you listen to music (CHECK THE CREDITS!), and Check out the music video on YouTube (CHECK THE CREDITS🫡)
📸 @mrs.amber.brown
Chatting with cousin Nessy Thomas about the Scotia Born Graphic design. I have always been fascinated with her work since her Mxse series, I think i definitely bought 2 shirts and a sweater.
The poster she did for Four The Moment's Heritage Prize in 2022 was a big inspiration for the approach on the Scotia Born art work! The record We Are Still Standing was also a huge inspiration in the process.
Thank you Nessy for blessing this song with an amazing Design. Oh yea, She also designed the T-shirts 😏👀
Scotia Born featuring @garybealsmusic & @haliey.smith . Produced by @erincostelo
📽 @mrs.amber.brown
Edited by Amber Brown
Proud to be an East Coast original, just like the McFlurry 💛 @mcdonaldscanada
I was honoured to create an original piece to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the McFlurry.
Fun fact: me and the McFlurry were both born in ’95 !
That’s a wrap on Mural Fest 2025!
Thanks @halifaxmuralfestival and @iotainstitute for challenging me with this huge wall! Me and my back will be resting for 3-5 business days😅
Thanks to @nebahfx for giving me these amazing references photos!
Shout out to my friends and fam that helped me out all week AND my mural neighbour @lornejulien 🫶🏾
