Pain Monsters
These artworks are made with the idea to combat my chronic pain. These art monsters appear when I am overwhelmed with pain, which is all of the time. However, I do my best to use my creativity to deal with with these emotions through artmaking.
Learn more about my work here: www.canva.com/design/DAETz8JBeAo/YzkY8C512_2T9hJ9hUVB1w/view?website#4 |
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Davinci Art Alliance: Artist Residency
Ode to Philadelphia Street Vendors 2023
These series of drawings are inspired and an ode to the Black and Brown peoples of Philadelphia who sell and offer their services as street vendors, service men and women, streets sales peoples who’s entrepreneurship, hustle and innovation have sustained all of us through our daily wants and needs.
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To Learn more about the original Cries of Philadelphia 1850 pamphlet visit this link below:
digitallibrary.hsp.org/index.php/Detail/objects/1091
To hear me speak about this series of work check out theses links below:
drive.google.com/file/d/1WnQuMdickhBI9PTlDK83cJiuIk-qAxwU/view?usp=drive_link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qUAW5le1DZbPV9tUGLStbozkITX0c3tk/view?usp=drive_link
drive.google.com/file/d/1VO5U6UZ8LFLMn1HRGLC32jmVsyDEbvOM/view?usp=drive_link
Common Space/ Espacio Exhibition
Amber Arts 10th Anniversary
ICE BOX Project-Philadelphia
The exhibition dives into themes that resonate with all of us, including communality, history, memory, collaboration, and investment in community voices. But it’s not just about the past; the show explores the timeless human act of gathering, sharing a meal, and exchanging ideas.
My artwork in the exhibition contribute to the visual landscape of Philadelphia. I have been examining the connections of trash, place and dumping of culture symbolized by the issue of pollution and illegal dumping in and around Philadelphia. Here in this painting I am using color, saturation and shape to create a space that may be familiar. While looking at the piece; think about where you are as the viewer.
Learn more about the exhibition here: www.muralarts.org/blog/common-space-espacio-comun-celebrating-a-decade-of-creativity-with-amber-art-design/
Listen to me speak more about this artwork here: drive.google.com/file/d/1bvEM3GG4PTgX8Gn2QwbEL84TpiypO_kV/view?usp=sharing
My artwork in the exhibition contribute to the visual landscape of Philadelphia. I have been examining the connections of trash, place and dumping of culture symbolized by the issue of pollution and illegal dumping in and around Philadelphia. Here in this painting I am using color, saturation and shape to create a space that may be familiar. While looking at the piece; think about where you are as the viewer.
Learn more about the exhibition here: www.muralarts.org/blog/common-space-espacio-comun-celebrating-a-decade-of-creativity-with-amber-art-design/
Listen to me speak more about this artwork here: drive.google.com/file/d/1bvEM3GG4PTgX8Gn2QwbEL84TpiypO_kV/view?usp=sharing
As a young child my parents would foster my creativity by giving me beautifully illustrated children's bools that I cherish today. One of those books was called, The People Could Fly, an anthology of African American folklore written by Virginia Hamilton. Reading, writing and research have always been a part of my inspiration process as a visual artists
In one of the stories it told of enslaved Africans that one day just lifted in the air and flew off of the plantation. In this new painting I thought of the "Weight Of It All" The weight that a=has been place on the Black body on this planet. I envisioned this story further to think if Black people could fly and no one knew about it.
This artwork speaks to the urning of weightlessness. To not have to hold the world's weight at least without my consent. These Black bodies are swirling and twirling in the sky on their own time only concerned with how to soar higher.
In one of the stories it told of enslaved Africans that one day just lifted in the air and flew off of the plantation. In this new painting I thought of the "Weight Of It All" The weight that a=has been place on the Black body on this planet. I envisioned this story further to think if Black people could fly and no one knew about it.
This artwork speaks to the urning of weightlessness. To not have to hold the world's weight at least without my consent. These Black bodies are swirling and twirling in the sky on their own time only concerned with how to soar higher.
NoName Gallery- Philadelphia
Exhibition for Artist Of NW Philadelphia
These new paintings are form my group exhibition with NoName Gallery in Philadelphia. These artworks were created in a space of self preservation as I recover from the constant disrespect and bombardment of pressures as a Black Women.
Every second is a fight. A fight to smile, a fight to be, a fight to live. At many times I am fighting for my ancestors. In this present time I am also fighting for me for my future me. I am choosing to let me artwork talk, pray and let God do the rest. A lyric I love form rapper Lil' Wayne.
I currently have a series of 6, however I would like to continue to expand to possibly 30, so I can arrange them in various ways. I am going to continue to create artwork to resolve this feeling and further peruse expressing my humanity that is not considered on a daily bases no matter how many DEI webinars folks go to. Or no matter how many core values you write. As a Black women battling the exploitation and disrespect is an job in itself.
Every second is a fight. A fight to smile, a fight to be, a fight to live. At many times I am fighting for my ancestors. In this present time I am also fighting for me for my future me. I am choosing to let me artwork talk, pray and let God do the rest. A lyric I love form rapper Lil' Wayne.
I currently have a series of 6, however I would like to continue to expand to possibly 30, so I can arrange them in various ways. I am going to continue to create artwork to resolve this feeling and further peruse expressing my humanity that is not considered on a daily bases no matter how many DEI webinars folks go to. Or no matter how many core values you write. As a Black women battling the exploitation and disrespect is an job in itself.
Davinci Art Alliance:
Inside Out, Upside Down, and Sideways During this exhibition I was able to share a budding series that I have been working on to decipher my urban landscape using texture, shape, form and color as spatial language. I am very much interested in landscape, ecology and memory within placemaking. Through these forms and volumes I hope to convey a spatial nostalgia in which I live within.
I am also interested in a visual vernacular when it comes to space, place and urban landscapes. Urban landscapes offer a lot more than than just cubes, rectangles and concrete. Through my close observations and techniques I try to reveal the beauty, tenacity and layers of life within the spirit and conversations of these landscape. This paining has a sibling that comes with it. I will update this image. Learn more about the exhibition here: davinciartalliance.org/inside-out-upside-down-and-sideways?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=65b538cd49e3923f76ea5504&ss_email_id=65b7ef37754f3839740b263b&ss_campaign_name=%F0%9F%8E%AF+Our+February+Exhibitions%21&ss_campaign_sent_date=2024-01-29T18%3A32%3A53Z |
Philadelphia Black History:
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Camden Fireworks: Storytelling Quilts
The Journey
I was so excited to be a part of this phenomenal exhibition at the Camden Firework located in Camden New Jersey.
It was so inspiring being among such remarkable artist as you were able to see the range between fire, painting, mixed media and textile manipulation. I have been using textiles and storytelling quilting for a long time, however this was the first time I had the opportunity to exhibit this dimension of my art. So in short I am elated!
"The Journey" visualizes the data, historical records and archives that display the records of the Northern Atlantic Slave Trade where enslaved Africans were transported to and from the shores of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey using the Atlantic and Delaware River. However this includes many norther states such as New England, Boston, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.
This is part of an ongoing series of artworks where I am exploring the connections of liberation, water, Philadelphia, land and the Black body.
This artwork and the process is a way that I want to continue to highlight the research that I do when being inspired. This quilt is a literal visual mathematical equation, storytelling, and history lesson all hands stitched. Each detail, texture and shape represents something for the viewer to explore, decipher and learn.
Click the link below to watch a video of me sharing my process and inspiration.
drive.google.com/file/d/1FgHHilYgAnTr6GNxr3CYp_0T_cBiwc4u/view?usp=sharing
It was so inspiring being among such remarkable artist as you were able to see the range between fire, painting, mixed media and textile manipulation. I have been using textiles and storytelling quilting for a long time, however this was the first time I had the opportunity to exhibit this dimension of my art. So in short I am elated!
"The Journey" visualizes the data, historical records and archives that display the records of the Northern Atlantic Slave Trade where enslaved Africans were transported to and from the shores of Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey using the Atlantic and Delaware River. However this includes many norther states such as New England, Boston, New York and the Mid-Atlantic.
This is part of an ongoing series of artworks where I am exploring the connections of liberation, water, Philadelphia, land and the Black body.
This artwork and the process is a way that I want to continue to highlight the research that I do when being inspired. This quilt is a literal visual mathematical equation, storytelling, and history lesson all hands stitched. Each detail, texture and shape represents something for the viewer to explore, decipher and learn.
Click the link below to watch a video of me sharing my process and inspiration.
drive.google.com/file/d/1FgHHilYgAnTr6GNxr3CYp_0T_cBiwc4u/view?usp=sharing
TILT: Photo Day Philadelphia
I had the exciting opportunity to contribute a photo to the TILIT Institute exhibition of Philly Photo Day. This was a great experience where I could share how much I love Philadelphia and the beauty I see everyday in it's residents, history and urban landscape.
I am a Subway Jawn and I am always subway surfing all the time throughout Philadelphia to conduct art programs all over the city so I exhibited a picture of me on the subway. You wont find me in the nail salon or the club, but you can find me on the subway.
Learn more about the exhibition by clicking the link below:
tiltinstitute.org/event/philly-photo-day-2024-exhibition/
I am a Subway Jawn and I am always subway surfing all the time throughout Philadelphia to conduct art programs all over the city so I exhibited a picture of me on the subway. You wont find me in the nail salon or the club, but you can find me on the subway.
Learn more about the exhibition by clicking the link below:
tiltinstitute.org/event/philly-photo-day-2024-exhibition/
Philadelphia Liberation Center:
People Power-Anti-Imperialist Exhibition
Al- Omari Mosque, Gaza City
The Philadelphia Liberation Center is a community hub for solidarity, struggle, and socialist political education staffed by volunteers from the Party for Socialism and Liberation. I had the important opportunity to use my art to contribute to this important exhibition that pushed commentaries on the war in Palestine.
Black and Brown people have been in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine and their fight for land sovereignty for a long time. In the 1950s, Malcom X was one of the earliest major African-American figures to support the Palestinian cause. Later in the 1960's, The Black Panther Party continued to supported the Palestinian cause. In this painting I wanted to capture the Al-Omari Mosques that was demolished during the war in October 2023. This mosques was located in the middle of Gaza City and had been there and in operation since the 4TH CENTURY! Now it is currently in rubbles with only a few minarets sill standing. I wanted to create this painting to commemorate the long standing history of a people living and thriving in the Fertile Crescent before all the conflicts in Palestine. Mosques are used for so mam things to support communities that live there around it. To think that tis building was ruined is devastating to me and is another form of violence. I hope this painting can be another way to remember the humanity, resilience and faith of the Palestinian People. ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE! |
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Icebox Project Space: Now, With Everyone
I had the wonderful opportunity to share two of my newest paintings in my recent exhibition, Now, With Everyone. Icebox Projects is such an exciting exhibition space and I was honored to be show artwork with other talented Philadelphia artists. I have been working on painting and drawing clouds and I wanted to convey the feelings of the labor it takes to rest.
These paintings are about what it takes to seek out peace, rest and restoration specifically for the Black body. I have been thinking of the weight of a cloud and the weight upon Black shoulders. I wanted to explore the tuffs, mass and forms that billow and bubble when one Black mind is able to form their ideals of freedom without being interrupted.
The mass of the clouds also speak to the mounds of dumping that I see around the city. The color Black in the clouds represent inspiration and the glitter represents the vastness of imagination achieved once rest had been applied.
These paintings are about what it takes to seek out peace, rest and restoration specifically for the Black body. I have been thinking of the weight of a cloud and the weight upon Black shoulders. I wanted to explore the tuffs, mass and forms that billow and bubble when one Black mind is able to form their ideals of freedom without being interrupted.
The mass of the clouds also speak to the mounds of dumping that I see around the city. The color Black in the clouds represent inspiration and the glitter represents the vastness of imagination achieved once rest had been applied.