Toronto resident Alicia Chen has never been to India, but with a little dose of Bollywood and inspiration from her Indian friends, she draws South Asian women on their big day in a very realistic way.

When and why did you start drawing?
Drawing restores and recharges my energy and picks me up when I felt so lonely in a new place. Drawing connects me to so many good souls and people reach out to me from all classes and races.

What mediums do you use?
Charcoals and pastels
Why do you draw so many Indian brides?
My best friend did some charity work at an orphanage in India back where she met the most thoughtful and delightful girls suffering from HIV in the slums. The way she described India was as if it was a dreamland. The poor were helping each other and they kept their smiles even though a bright future seemed so far away. Indian women are beautiful, confident and blissful.

Have you ever been to India?
I hope to travel there one day to experience the contrast of rich and poor as well as the fusion of modern and traditional.
Instagram: @100faces