Statement

The primary focus of my work is African American youth and current fashion trends as a form of celebrating the Black aesthetic and self-identity. I strive to capture the essence of my subjects through photo-realistic portraits. Applying oil to canvas, I enhance the figure by rendering dramatic textured backgrounds with hues complementing their clothing and flesh tones.

Black youth are often judged negatively by their appearance; an afro, braids, barbershop cut, tattoo, hoodie, and other traditional dress styles place them in the immediate threat zone. When people outside of the Black community observe my paintings, I want them to try and imagine who the individual is while placing all preconceived notions and stereotypes aside. And when encountering Black youth, I hope they will consider, as when viewing the subject in my work, that the individual’s outward appearance is a positive form of self-expression.
For African Americans viewing my paintings, I want them to feel a sense of connectivity and pride—and discover a familiar face within, one that reminds them of themselves, a friend, or a family member.

My process when creating portraits is to collaborate with the sitter. I allow them to determine their pose and clothing, thus taking charge of their image. Often featured in my paintings are my friends and family members. But I also venture outside of that circle and deliberately select African Americans of varied skin colors to elevate and celebrate the diversity of skin tones within our race.

Jazz, 2024
oil on canvas
48 x 36 ″