Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family were vacationing in Tofino B.C. earlier this month and they took home a very special souvenir; a painting by a local artist of Sophie Grégoire Trudeau on Chesterman Beach.
Artist Deanna Lankin painted the portrait of Grégoire Trudeau in an ‘exalted warrior’ yoga pose.
She heard the Trudeaus were going to be visiting the shop, House of Alaia, where Lankin is a resident artist.
So she thought it would be a perfect opportunity to paint Grégoire Trudeau, completing the piece overnight. “It seemed like a crazy idea at the time,” she said. “I came home and I just thought ‘what the heck. They’re coming in and they’re just such a huge inspiration to me and it was really exciting to have the opportunity to meet them’.”
Lankin stayed up all night to create the artwork, called ‘Heart Awakening’.
She said Grégoire Trudeau is an inspiration to her because she speaks up for women’s issues, such as breastfeeding and overcoming bulimia. “I think it just really empowers young women to know that if they’re struggling with similar things, which are so common in our society, it’s good to know they’re not alone,” she said.
When the Trudeaus purchased the painting, Lankin also managed to snap a picture as a keepsake.
“It was really exciting when they came in,” said Lankin. “I’m still just so overwhelmed by the whole experience.”
“It just happened really naturally. They’re on holiday and they’re just having fun.”