I’m Henrietta O, a self-taught poet, artist, guitarist, and multilingual creative based in Toronto, Canada. Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria,
I’ve always been drawn to the quiet places where emotion and expression meet.

I taught myself how to write poetry to give shape to what I couldn’t always say aloud. Over time, that same curiosity and inner drive led me to paint, to play guitar, and to speak in other tongues — French and Italian — each offering a different lens through which to feel and connect.

Creativity is how I’ve learned to come home to myself. My work is deeply personal, rooted in themes of healing, memory, identity, and love. Whether through words, melody, or color, I create to understand — and to be understood.

This space is a reflection of that journey. Thank you for being here.

From Tracing Lines to Telling Stories

Art wasn’t always my favourite subject, but I was always drawn to the idea of creating realistic sketches. As a child, I traced most of my drawings, dreaming of the day I could bring images to life with my own hands.

That journey began in earnest in 2022, when I enrolled in a beginner’s course that introduced me to pencil, pen, charcoal, pastels, coloured pencils, and watercolours. Since then, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for soft textures and subtle detail — expressed mostly through pencil, pen, pastel, and watercolour pencil work.

This portfolio is a celebration of how far I’ve come — and how much more I hope to create.

I began writing poetry at 13 as a way to explore the complexities of my inner world. In the early days, my work wasn’t always well-received due to its heavy themes—but everything changed when, at 16, my English teacher encouraged me to keep writing and submitted one of my poems to a competition. I had no idea how pivotal that moment would become.

For years, my writing remained a private part of my life, something only a few people knew about. Eventually, I decided to gather poems from scattered places—my diary (aka The Green Book), my phone, notes, and laptop. What began as a personal outlet has grown into something much more, culminating in the upcoming release of my debut poetry collection, What The Silence Gave Me, and other creative projects on the horizon.

I’m a native English speaker from Nigeria, but my love for languages has taken me far beyond my roots.

In 2019, I began learning French using an immersive approach—what started as simple curiosity quickly became a passion. I surrounded myself with the language through podcasts, films, series, books—you name it. Immersion turned into fluency, and today, I speak French confidently. I'm also passionate about helping others on their language journey. If you're looking for private lessons or conversation practice, feel free to reach out.

The same goes for Italian. What began as a spontaneous interest grew into a meaningful source of connection and joy. I now speak Italian at an advanced level and have formed lasting friendships through the language. I also host an Italian conversation group, a welcoming space for fellow learners to grow and share.

Feel free to contact me; I’d love to hear from you.

Like many kids destined for greatness (or chaos), my music journey began at age 6 with the recorder—shrill, plastic, and unforgettable.

By 9, I started piano lessons, and music quickly became part of my world. I kept learning on my own, eventually playing second flute in my school orchestra for four years, where I learned the beauty of harmony and collaboration.

But I found my true rhythm in strings. I’m a self-taught guitarist—acoustic and electric—and proud owner of an 8-string Ibanez that still sparks inspiration. These days, I’m thinking about returning to piano and exploring new instruments.

And yes, I’m convinced I have the best taste in music. Just ask me