The Inspiration Behind My Work
Memories of childhood and the power of imagination are the driving force behind my work. I want my art to be a part of the conversation around how Black and brown youth see themselves in the world. Art is a form of storytelling, after all. The stories we are exposed to as children shape us. They can serve as an intervention and a way to change the trajectory of someone’s life. But, when Black and brown kids do not see themselves represented, art can negatively impact rather than positively.
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I often ask myself, how can we rewrite someone’s story and change how they see themselves? I believe that the visual arts make this possible. Through my work, I can create characters that inspire wanderlust and adventure, characters who teach self-worth and show Black and brown kids that it’s okay to take up space in the world. They should take up space.
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Using texture, color, and scale, my work explores an array of experiences, emotions, inspirations, and stories. I build worlds that are meant to inspire whimsy and hope but also have the power to strengthen the viewer's belief in their own abilities.