Artist Statement

From a young age, emotional intelligence became an important part of my being. Although I can’t remember when my artistic journey started, it quickly emerged as an outlet for deeper thoughts on my emotions, anxieties, and the world I was born into. As I studied psychology in my undergrad, I began to also dive deeper into my artistic pursuits through independent study. As I developed my skills, this symbiotic connection became a vital pillar in shaping my identity as an artist and my approach to creating work.

My work highlights many issues I encountered growing up in a Southern African American community. By merging influences from historic events and personal memories, I often combine past and present histories with newly imagined futures, reshaping them into new worlds in my paintings. My work often uses an array of regional and cultural references, such as the cherry blossoms that bloom in Birmingham, Alabama. As well as natural materials that can hold symbolic meaning, such as crystals and water, which I connect back to growing up in a port city. My work is inspired by an array of influences, from Italian Renaissance paintings to Japanese anime. I'm interested in creating fantastical worlds that don't escape entirely from reality, but that allow me to imagine what could be.

My work explores the essence of personal vulnerability and transformation, challenging conventional notions of pride and strength. I am intrigued by the profound influence we, as humans, wield in shaping both our internal and external realities. Through my works, I aim to depict the ongoing process of personal evolution, raising questions about its limitless nature and the potential outcomes it may yield.