RiCANADIAN Art by Joie

Roots in colour.
Stories in every line.

Puerto Rican heritage. Taíno roots. A Canadian home. RiCANADIAN is where those parts of me meet—first on canvas, and now in the expanding possibilities of graphic art and illustration.

Explore the new work ↓

Guakete by Joie Lamar, a vibrant painting honouring Indigenous imagery

My creative path

Always an artist.
Always learning.

From paint to pixels

My painting has explored identity, spirituality, nature, and the expressive power of a single line. My practice also includes multimedia and three-dimensional work, bringing texture and physical depth to the image. Graphic art has opened another way to bring those interests into the stories I tell.

I spent a year learning and developing my graphic artistry independently, with a particular purpose: to become a stronger illustrator for my children’s book ideas.

A story becomes a world

The second edition of Dust Bunny Ben became a project in which to put that learning into practice, combining hand-drawn work with digital finishing.

With Coquí and Nanuq, illustration and colouring create space for readers to participate. And with Hugh Manatee, coming in 2027, my creative path continues into wildlife, kindness, and care for the planet.

Graphic art & illustration

New ways to tell a story.

2026 · Second edition

Dust Bunny Ben

A milestone in my independent illustration journey. Hand-drawn and digitally mastered, bringing a much-loved project into a new creative chapter.

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2026 · Graphic fable & colouring

Coquí and Nanuq

Puerto Rican and Canadian imagery meets in a story of love and resilience. An invitation to experience the art, then bring your own colours to its world.

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The next chapter · 2027

Meet Hugh.

A manatee with a gentle spirit and a world of lessons to share. My upcoming illustrated book introduces young readers to wildlife and the kindness that caring for our planet asks of us.

Discover Hugh Manatee