Artist Statement
I never expected to be an artist with my journey unfolding later in life. Before, I spent 20 years working in marketing feeling burnt out, disconnected and just going through the motions. It wasn’t until the 2020 pandemic that I had the space to find myself through painting faces and figures. While painting, I’m able to express and release raw emotion – giving light to what is possible and feeling most like my true self. Now, I paint figures on canvas and large-scale murals so I can explore female identity through the lens of culture, pure self-essence and (re)claiming spaces.
I’ve always been fascinated with faces and the beauty that emanates from the soul of every woman. As a Black female artist, diverse beauty is central to my work. Portraiture allows me to explore self-discovery and extract emotions that echo truth, freedom and the deepest desires of the soul. I aim to bring forth a full spectrum of modern beauty, unbridled and free, in a world of endless possibilities.
The moment I picked up a paint brush, I immediately connected to the experience. In a way, painting helps me unearth who I am and what I’m here to do. Using jewel-tone colors and painterly brushstrokes in oils and mixed media, I evoke emotion through engaging narratives. My process starts with intuitive abstract underpaintings, later I match the figurative composition to the underpaintings finishing my work in oil paint.
While I use a combination of acrylic, oil and metal leaf, spray paint is one of my favorite mediums because it’s versatile and forces me to loosen up. As I build up each layer, it creates depth inviting the viewer to take a closer look and discover something new. Finishing my paintings in oils brings richness and the color frequency of oil pigments allows me to push areas forward and let other areas recede. As a self-taught artist who discovered painting in my 40s, I believe anyone can “Shine Your Vibe” at any stage of life.