ERIKA
WHAT’S IT TO YA?
Interview & Photos: André Varty
For this week’s What’s it to Ya? we hung out with Erika a.k.a. INKSCRPT. She’s a self-taught illustrator, poet, and multi-media artist and the creative behind AFC Toronto’s 2025 secondary kit. We got the chance to learn about the makings of that kit, her early memories with the beautiful game and how she sees sports and art as a perfect pairing.
When did football first enter your life and what are your earliest, and favourite, football memories?
My parents couldn’t really afford to put me on a team and stuff like that, but I did play a lot in school. The elementary school I went to was a really big hockey school, but they also really loved soccer. So we would play what we called “football hockey,” and we would literally use a tennis ball and we played football hockey every recess. I was always playing with a bunch of guys, and I always thought it was really fun.
Growing up, I’m Filipino, and we have a huge basketball culture there, which sucks because I feel like we’re built to be soccer players — we’re small, fast, big calves. I feel like we could be great soccer players and footy players, but because of my culture, football wasn’t really a big part of my life growing up.
I would say what really started me becoming more invested — I was more of a casual fan before, I knew about the different leagues, I followed La Liga and the Premier League loosely and watched tournaments like Copa and the Euros growing up. But in 2017, when the MLS Championship happened and Toronto FC had this amazing team, I was following the whole season. It’s not really as big here in North America, so it was amazing to see Toronto doing so well. It was something I didn’t think could happen, especially at that time when the Raptors weren’t winning championships.
The 2017 championship — I watched the finals and watched Toronto FC win that trophy — and I thought that was really cool to see something local, especially in football, be such a big thing. That really got me into following it more seriously.
A really pivotal moment for me was the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Philippines isn’t a big soccer country, but the women’s team qualified for the World Cup. That was the first time the Philippines ever qualified for any FIFA World Cup, men’s or women’s. That was huge. And it being a women’s team made it even more special and personal for me.
I followed our national team religiously, and during the actual World Cup, when we scored our first goal — I think it was against New Zealand — it was such a monumental moment. I even showed you the illustration I made. I wanted to illustrate that moment, but also illustrate celebrations in football in general.
When did football first enter your life and what are your earliest, and favourite, football memories?
My parents couldn’t really afford to put me on a team and stuff like that, but I did play a lot in school. The elementary school I went to was a really big hockey school, but they also really loved soccer. So we would play what we called “football hockey,” and we would literally use a tennis ball and we played football hockey every recess. I was always playing with a bunch of guys, and I always thought it was really fun.
Growing up, I’m Filipino, and we have a huge basketball culture there, which sucks because I feel like we’re built to be soccer players — we’re small, fast, big calves. I feel like we could be great soccer players and footy players, but because of my culture, football wasn’t really a big part of my life growing up.
I would say what really started me becoming more invested — I was more of a casual fan before, I knew about the different leagues, I followed La Liga and the Premier League loosely and watched tournaments like Copa and the Euros growing up. But in 2017, when the MLS Championship happened and Toronto FC had this amazing team, I was following the whole season. It’s not really as big here in North America, so it was amazing to see Toronto doing so well. It was something I didn’t think could happen, especially at that time when the Raptors weren’t winning championships.
The 2017 championship — I watched the finals and watched Toronto FC win that trophy — and I thought that was really cool to see something local, especially in football, be such a big thing. That really got me into following it more seriously.
A really pivotal moment for me was the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Philippines isn’t a big soccer country, but the women’s team qualified for the World Cup. That was the first time the Philippines ever qualified for any FIFA World Cup, men’s or women’s. That was huge. And it being a women’s team made it even more special and personal for me.
I followed our national team religiously, and during the actual World Cup, when we scored our first goal — I think it was against New Zealand — it was such a monumental moment. I even showed you the illustration I made. I wanted to illustrate that moment, but also illustrate celebrations in football in general.
How has sports influenced your art?
Sports is a big part of my life. I grew up playing volleyball and basketball mostly, and some track. I’m very interested in athleticism and dynamic movement in sport. I once made a post talking about the similarities between ballet dancers and athletes — the way they move is such an art form to me.
I love illustrating different movements in sport because they’re so dynamic. There are always new plays, new styles, new evolutions of the game. It’s constantly changing. It’s such a joyful subject to illustrate.
Growing up in Toronto, there’s always that joke that nothing good ever happens to us in sports. So when something good does happen, we go nuts. Moments like the MLS Championship or the 2019 NBA Championship — people were out on the streets. Sports really bring people together here.
With the Philippines making the Women’s World Cup, even though they didn’t make it past the group stage, it still made an impact. It’s generational. Younger athletes see that and think, ‘I want to be part of that.’ You’re seeing more athletes with dual citizenship choosing to represent the Philippines. It just takes one moment. One goal. And suddenly it changes perspective.
How did you get started with your art and find your style?
I started posting publicly in 2020. I’ve always loved illustrating and painting growing up. In 2019, I started with calligraphy on social media because a friend asked me to do calligraphy for her wedding. I posted my journey, then slowly started integrating my illustration work and shifting toward that.
During the 2019 Raptors championship, I illustrated Kawhi Leonard’s shot and posted it. People started asking if they could get it on a T-shirt. I printed 20 shirts just to break even. That moment was pivotal. I didn’t realize there was such an industry where art and sport intersect, but it makes sense — logos, jersey designs — art is such a huge part of sport.
I created a series called “Ode to Basketball,” illustrating NBA athletes who shaped my journey. Each piece had a personal story. For example, I illustrated Vince Carter’s infamous dunk and dedicated it to my dad. When he first immigrated to Canada, he would watch Raptors games outside TV stores before he could afford a TV. That storytelling element became central to my style.
To me, sport is about joy, intimacy, and vulnerability. Everyone has a reason they’re drawn to it. I try to tell those stories through my artwork.
Sports is a big part of my life. I grew up playing volleyball and basketball mostly, and some track. I’m very interested in athleticism and dynamic movement in sport. I once made a post talking about the similarities between ballet dancers and athletes — the way they move is such an art form to me.
I love illustrating different movements in sport because they’re so dynamic. There are always new plays, new styles, new evolutions of the game. It’s constantly changing. It’s such a joyful subject to illustrate.
Growing up in Toronto, there’s always that joke that nothing good ever happens to us in sports. So when something good does happen, we go nuts. Moments like the MLS Championship or the 2019 NBA Championship — people were out on the streets. Sports really bring people together here.
With the Philippines making the Women’s World Cup, even though they didn’t make it past the group stage, it still made an impact. It’s generational. Younger athletes see that and think, ‘I want to be part of that.’ You’re seeing more athletes with dual citizenship choosing to represent the Philippines. It just takes one moment. One goal. And suddenly it changes perspective.
How did you get started with your art and find your style?
I started posting publicly in 2020. I’ve always loved illustrating and painting growing up. In 2019, I started with calligraphy on social media because a friend asked me to do calligraphy for her wedding. I posted my journey, then slowly started integrating my illustration work and shifting toward that.
During the 2019 Raptors championship, I illustrated Kawhi Leonard’s shot and posted it. People started asking if they could get it on a T-shirt. I printed 20 shirts just to break even. That moment was pivotal. I didn’t realize there was such an industry where art and sport intersect, but it makes sense — logos, jersey designs — art is such a huge part of sport.
I created a series called “Ode to Basketball,” illustrating NBA athletes who shaped my journey. Each piece had a personal story. For example, I illustrated Vince Carter’s infamous dunk and dedicated it to my dad. When he first immigrated to Canada, he would watch Raptors games outside TV stores before he could afford a TV. That storytelling element became central to my style.
To me, sport is about joy, intimacy, and vulnerability. Everyone has a reason they’re drawn to it. I try to tell those stories through my artwork.
Let’s talk about the AFC Toronto jersey.
One thing I don’t really talk about is how it got noticed. In early 2024, I submitted a design to Pabst Blue Ribbon for a can competition. It was very similar stylistically to the AFC Toronto jersey — detailed, maximal line artwork. I didn’t get selected, but I loved the piece and posted it anyway.
When the Northern Super League was announced, I followed all the teams. I commented on AFC Toronto’s posts and literally shot my shot — “I’m an artist, I hope I get to work with you one day.”
An agency working with them reached out after seeing my comment. They referenced that PBR design and said, “We want something like this.” That piece I got rejected for became the inspiration for the jersey.
Originally, it was supposed to be a third kit, but they loved it and made it the away jersey. Seeing the response was surreal. Especially being the inaugural season of the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada — I expected excitement, but not that level.
At the final, they told me the team would be playing in my jersey. Seeing it in person was completely different from photos. I was trying to hide in my jacket while my friend told everyone I designed it. It was humbling. As an artist — especially in sports, where fans can be critical — it was terrifying putting my work out there. But the response was incredible.
One thing I don’t really talk about is how it got noticed. In early 2024, I submitted a design to Pabst Blue Ribbon for a can competition. It was very similar stylistically to the AFC Toronto jersey — detailed, maximal line artwork. I didn’t get selected, but I loved the piece and posted it anyway.
When the Northern Super League was announced, I followed all the teams. I commented on AFC Toronto’s posts and literally shot my shot — “I’m an artist, I hope I get to work with you one day.”
An agency working with them reached out after seeing my comment. They referenced that PBR design and said, “We want something like this.” That piece I got rejected for became the inspiration for the jersey.
Originally, it was supposed to be a third kit, but they loved it and made it the away jersey. Seeing the response was surreal. Especially being the inaugural season of the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada — I expected excitement, but not that level.
At the final, they told me the team would be playing in my jersey. Seeing it in person was completely different from photos. I was trying to hide in my jacket while my friend told everyone I designed it. It was humbling. As an artist — especially in sports, where fans can be critical — it was terrifying putting my work out there. But the response was incredible.
What draws you to football jersey design specifically?
Out of all sports, I think soccer has the best jerseys. It’s such a historic and international sport. Jerseys have to be mindful — you’re representing your country or your city.
I’m really drawn to jerseys that tell stories about local culture and community. When you can see care and thought put into a design, I’m drawn to that. It’s not just colours — it’s something people will wear forever. And when special moments happen in that jersey, it becomes even more meaningful.
Looking ahead — what would you love to do next?
I’d love to be more involved in future jersey design — whether that’s a city edition, Team Canada, or something else. It doesn’t have to look like the AFC Toronto design, but I love being involved in projects where art tells a deeper story and sparks conversation.
I want to be part of driving those conversations — where people look at a design and discuss what it means, what details they see.
I was a finalist for Canada’s first WNBA outdoor court project with Buckets & Borders. Even though I was runner-up, they loved the design and collaborated with me on a mural at Oakdale Community Centre. It was refurbished with Maybelline and the WNBA, and I provided the mural and backboard designs. Now it’s vibrant and really reflects the community that uses that space.
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Out of all sports, I think soccer has the best jerseys. It’s such a historic and international sport. Jerseys have to be mindful — you’re representing your country or your city.
I’m really drawn to jerseys that tell stories about local culture and community. When you can see care and thought put into a design, I’m drawn to that. It’s not just colours — it’s something people will wear forever. And when special moments happen in that jersey, it becomes even more meaningful.
Looking ahead — what would you love to do next?
I’d love to be more involved in future jersey design — whether that’s a city edition, Team Canada, or something else. It doesn’t have to look like the AFC Toronto design, but I love being involved in projects where art tells a deeper story and sparks conversation.
I want to be part of driving those conversations — where people look at a design and discuss what it means, what details they see.
I was a finalist for Canada’s first WNBA outdoor court project with Buckets & Borders. Even though I was runner-up, they loved the design and collaborated with me on a mural at Oakdale Community Centre. It was refurbished with Maybelline and the WNBA, and I provided the mural and backboard designs. Now it’s vibrant and really reflects the community that uses that space.
