“Mottainai Spirit”
Digital illustration | Personal commission for Mottainai Cycles, Collingwood

This long-overdue illustration is a tribute to the legends at Mottainai Cycles_collingwood for their incredible restoration of my beloved early '90s Giant Innova—my trusty bike since 2001. The team brought it back to life with the same care, craft, and passion they bring to every project.

The word “mottainai” carries deep meaning—often translated as “what a waste” or “don’t be wasteful.” Depending on how it’s said, it can express regret over unnecessary waste or serve as a call to respect the value in what already exists. That ethos defines everything they do: restore, repair, reuse—and ride on.

Big thanks to the crew not just for the bike, but for keeping the wheels of sustainability, community, and good times turning.