Hello, I’m Marelou. I’m a Filipino-Canadian animator, graphic designer, author, and doodler based in Alberta, Canada, and the founder of Mejanzen Studio—from my personal journey with mental health and the quiet courage it takes to follow a dream, especially when it means stepping outside of what’s expected.
For much of my life, creativity wasn’t seen as a “real” career. I was encouraged to follow a more traditional path—one that didn’t quite fit. Choosing to pursue art meant choosing myself, carving out space to follow my own footsteps instead of staying in the shadow of expectations. In doing so, I’ve learned to create my own opportunities and redefine success on my own terms. But through years of navigating anxiety, self-doubt, and cultural pressure, I’ve come to see creativity not just as an outlet— to reclaim my voice.
It wasn’t easy. That path often felt misunderstood or frowned upon. But my passion spoke louder than the disapproval. I eventually graduated from Graphic and Visual Communications Design programs.
However, even while working in the creative industry, I often felt a pull toward something more personal. The 9–5 structure left little creative energy for the “dream projects” I always kept on the back burner. Eventually, I realized: if I kept waiting for the perfect time or permission to start, I might never begin at all.
So, I chose to create my own opportunities.
Instead of waiting for a dream project to find me, I pushed myself to begin—whether it was writing the story I always said I’d get to “someday” or simply drawing something because I could. That shift helped me grow, not only as an artist and writer, but as a storyteller with a deeper purpose: create stories that emotionally connect, visually resonate, and invite others to laugh, reflect, or feel seen.
Writing & Creative Milestones
During the pandemic, I wrote and self-published my first book on Amazon—a personal story inspired by my artistic journey, navigating the doubts and cultural expectations that once made creativity feel like an impossible choice.
In 2022, I wrote my second book, a graphic novel about life as a wife and mother—sharing everything from how I met my husband to my experiences as a stay-at-home mom and the quiet struggles that often go unseen.
2025, I Created and published my first coloring book #HippoLife
My book, I Am Bird, is now available at our local library—a small but meaningful milestone in my creative journey.
Education & Professional Background
Graduated from a Graphic & Visual Communications Design programs
Worked as a Graphic & Interactive Designer
Created art assets for Zombie Factory, an iPad Gen 2 game
Contributing artist (as Mejanzen) to the online collaborative USAI Project on HitRecord.org, a online platform founded by Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Participated as a mentee in a Women in Animation Circle, expanding my understanding of the animation industry and its many roles
Featured in ARTIST, MOTHER, PROUD & SERIOUS magazine in 2023—one of my proudest achievements
Attended my first market as a vendor and continued to showcase and sell my work at a local market.
Creativity as Healing: Finding My Voice Through Art
Like many others, the pandemic took a toll on my mental health. I struggled silently, often overwhelmed by social anxiety and unable to express what I was going through. Conversations became minimal. It almost felt as though I forgot how to have social interactions.
I found myself fumbling over words, unsure of how to talk about what I felt.
Mental health was something rarely spoken about openly—especially in my cultural background. But I began to notice that every time I turned to art, it helped me process what I couldn’t put into words. Creativity became my outlet. My way of saying, “You’re not alone,” even if I couldn’t speak the words out loud.
It was through those quiet moments—writing, illustrating, designing—that I realized how much art had been helping me cope. I started designing products, writing more books, and slowly building something meaningful. With the encouragement of my husband and family, the idea of starting my own business still felt like a daydream.
Still, I was afraid. I didn’t know where to begin, and part of me feared I wasn’t ready. But then I asked myself: If not now, when?
I had spent so long saying, “One day, I’ll open my own studio,” or “Maybe I’ll create and sell my own work.”
So, I took the leap. I stepped out of my comfort zone, pushed past the fear, and began showing up—not just as a creator, but as a small business owner. I started selling my products at local markets, and with every event, my confidence grew. I began talking to people again, connecting with customers and fellow creatives.
Mission & Creative Values
Through years of navigating anxiety, self-doubt, and the pressures of expectations, I’ve come to see creativity as more than a skill—it’s a way to reclaim my voice. I’ve learned to define success on my own terms and to make space for stories that matter to me. Beyond my own studio work, I’m passionate about helping small businesses connect with their communities through meaningful design and storytelling. As a fellow entrepreneur, I bring not just design expertise, but a deep empathy and understanding of how authentic, intentional creativity can spark a positive impact.
Now, I’m continuously learning what it means to run a business, and to build something from the ground up, and to grow alongside other passionate entrepreneurs.