Jemma Chapman is a British architect turned illustrator whose work explores place, memory, and what it means to build a sense of home in a new country. After moving to Toronto, she struggled to find work in architecture, prompting her to rethink the career she had spent more than a decade building. During that uncertain period, Jemma began drawing as a way to make sense of her new surroundings. What started as a personal practice eventually became Toonie Stamps, an art project that distributes small illustrated prints through converted vintage vending machines across the city.

Today, her work is rooted in everyday moments that often go unnoticed. Drawing from her background in architecture, she documents the streets, buildings, and shared experiences that shape how people connect with a place. Rather than following a fixed career path, Jemma has built a practice that grows through curiosity, community, and the freedom to let the work evolve over time. Her journey reflects a shift from designing buildings to observing the lives lived within them, showing that creativity doesn't always follow a blueprint, and that sometimes the most meaningful work begins when the original plan falls apart.

Director & DP — Shazer Llanera
Co-director & DP — Christian Salenga

A Studio Propel Original