Image: Drawn to Canada collage, Lynne Rennie

“Canada is the only country in the world that knows how to live without an identity.” 

When Marshall McLuhan said this in 1963 on a CBC radio program "Canada: A Borderline Case", he didn't mean it as an insult. He actually viewed Canada's lack of a single, fixed national identity as a strength not a weakness. Rather than being defined by one story, one culture, or one way of seeing the world, Canada is a country that has been made stronger by openness, adaptability, and cultural plurality.

Ever since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated by the small details that make Canada feel like Canada: the way we speak, the foods we eat, the products we grew up with, the places we visit, the people we admire, the symbols we recognize, and the stories we tell. Individually, they may seem ordinary. Together, they form a rich and evolving picture of who we are. 

Drawn to Canada is a collection of my original illustrations and short essays inspired by the things Canadians recognize, remember, and share, each piece celebrating a small part of the whole Canadian experience. The project began in 2025 as 100-day creative challenge project during grad school at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. It has grown into an ongoing exploration of Canadian identity through art, writing, curiosity, and shared experience.

People are drawn to certain pieces because they're reminded of a childhood memory, a family tradition, a favourite place, or a uniquely Canadian moment. Because so many asked if they could purchase prints of my work, I created this website. Artwork is available as prints, greeting cards, button pins, apparel, bookmarks, and other pieces of Canadiana that people can wear, gift, collect, or display in their homes. Of course, you can always enjoy the entire catalog for free on Instagram or website.

My hope is that these illustrations spark recognition, conversation, and perhaps a renewed reconnection and appreciation for Canada and the many things we hold in common.