Toronto woman sells her art in vending machines after struggling to find work
Meet Jemma Chapman, a British architect who moved to Toronto in January 2025 and is now selling mini prints of her stamp artwork through vending machines scattered across the city.
Chapman relocated from the United Kingdom through the International Experience Canada program — which rewards recipients with a two-year visa to the country — simply because she wanted to experience living somewhere else. She has since fallen in love with Toronto and hopes to extend her stay indefinitely.
But navigating life in a new country has come with its fair share of challenges.
"I have been trying to find a job in architecture here in Canada since I arrived. I've applied for over 500 jobs and attended countless networking events, but haven't been successful," Chapman tells blogTO.
Her struggle with the job market ultimately led her to pursue an art project she calls Toonie Stamps.
"I had been creating my tiny stamp illustrations since I arrived, but hadn't shared them with anyone, just the odd friend. They were just a way of storing memories, but one day I thought, 'let's share these online, I'm being ignored by everyone else, so what's the worst that could happen?'" she recalls.
Chapman took to social media to share snippets of her artwork, her creative process, and the stories behind each unique print. Much to her surprise, the art quickly resonated with users online.
"I started sharing the stories behind my illustrations so people could see the city through my eyes and why I fell in love with Toronto," she admits.
As demand for her stamps grew, Chapman began considering the idea of installing art-dispensing machines around the city. "I wanted to create almost an art hunt around the city to encourage people to explore and find my illustrations. This led me to look into vending machines."
Of course, as a savvy businesswoman, Chapman wanted to ensure the initiative was beneficial not only for customers but for herself as well.
"I wanted to make sure my art was at a price point most people could afford while also respecting my worth as an artist. I found the tiny print format the best solution for this. The project's name, Toonie Stamps, is derived from this component; all tiny prints cost $2," she says.
Choosing locations for the vending machines proved to be surprisingly easy. Chapman reached out to local businesses she loves and pitched her idea — and lucky for her, they were all on board.
When asked which of her handcrafted stamps is her favourite, Chapman didn't hesitate.
"The Niagara Peaches stamp," she says. "It captures locality and seasonality. It evokes memories of the glorious summer days that feel quite far away right now. It also symbolizes community, the farmers' markets stocked with Ontario fruit punnets in the summer, and people making the most of the abundance summer brings with it."
Beyond Toonie Stamps, Chapman is also working on another project this year, Art for a Stranger, where she hides a piece of art somewhere in the city for people to uncover.
Chapman has big plans for the future, including installing more vending machines across Toronto. But her ultimate dream? To share her Toronto Raptors stamps with the players themselves. "One can dream," she laughs.
Psst…Raptors, are you hearing this?
Anyone interested in purchasing Chapman's art can find the locations of the vending machines listed on her website. Buyers can choose between prints of the TTC, City Hall, Toronto Blue Jays and so many more.
Jemma Chapman
