This is Janine Stoll
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the suburbs. Mississauga . A short distance from the waterfront where I would ride my bike when things got hairy at home. I would sit on the rocks at the shore and stare at the Toronto skyline across Lake Ontario . I always felt like it was just walking distance to this entirely different place than where I lived. This obtuse, sparkling place where everyone's lives were either glamorous and fast-paced, or terribly sad and hard done by. That fairytale glamorous life was something that I envisioned for myself as a child, but that somehow changed as I grew up.
How long have you been in Toronto ?
I've been leading a transient existence restricted for the most part to the west end of the city since about 1999. Some homeless people have occupied the same street corners for longer than I have been able to live out a lease. I've lived in 13 difference placed since 1999. But I have an affinity for the Roncesvalles strip and have been hopping about these parts for the past 5 years.
What keeps you busy?
Recently? Cleaning and reorganizing each room of my apartment one by one. Being meticulous and slightly anal.
What do you do for a living?
For a living I'm a graphic and web designer. It's a fun, creative, challenging and brain-building way to burn away hours in a hive. But the typical 9 to 5 certainly makes me long for the road, for jungle adventures and for a sordid affair with the handsome programmer near the water cooler.
What's your passion?
Chocolate. The sun. Writing. Creating. Travel. Cumin. Water. Lilac. My growing family. Raw foods. Comfy pants. Minor chords. Mini series. Ladybirds. Patty Griffin. Cherries. Cloth bags. Ideas. Linen. New Brunswick . Ocean. Escape. Cartoons from the '80s.
What do you give back to the No Fly Zone?
Help me out here...
What can we do to make Toronto a "world class" city?
If Toronto wanted to be world class they would educate the public rather than find ways of trying to entertain people, make the green bin program standard in all condos, enforce the green bin program everywhere, Replace the Gardiner Expressway with better public transit (I think electric cable buses are a great idea), add more green spaces, increase number of bike lanes and "pedestrian only" spaces, endorse community-building, tell the streetcar driver who thinks he's a lounge singer to not quit his day job, free hot chocolate for everyone!
Are you an artist?
Yes.
How does art influence your life?
I think that my life influences my art mostly. But art certainly spurs me to continue to create and purge and make better art. I'm always looking to be over-whelmed by something that looks or sounds beautiful. I am generally more humbled by sound. More moved to tears or the "chill factor". So if they were to amputate my eyes or my ear drums, they could take out my eyes. Just give them to Paul. My donor cards says so.
Who are your favorite artists?
Patty Griffin, Tom Waits, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell.
Who are your favorite Toronto artists?
Paul MacDougall, Martin Tielli, Erin Smith, Melissa McClelland, Lisa Winn, Mr Something Something, Luke Doucet, Mia Sheard, Jack Breakfast, Lori Cullen, Jory Nash, Sophia Perlman, Justin Rutledge, Angie Nussey, Brian MacMillan.