Mixed Media Paintings + Collage

Race, 24x30, 2020 This painting is about pride in one's lineage. I created this painting to generate a conversation about race and the words that are used by others to define people of color. The portrait was inspired by a photo of Jimi Hendrix. His Afro defines him, was made with rolled dictionary pages, it is his strength worn as a crown held together with an American Flag headband. When ethnic slurs are hurled at him, he is resilient. He wears it as a badge of honor for those that fought for his rights before him.
His face is a collage made up of photos of a 1960s car race and an African mask.

The Journey is Long and Hard, 2022 15x30

Free of the Gilded Cage, 2022 15x30
AVAILABLE at The RICHARD STRAVITZ GALLERY

Heading Down the Rabbit Hole, 2022 36x48 Mixed Media Painting

Fuel the Revolution, Reworked 2021-2022, 20x28

La Femme, 24 x 36, 2019, Black Wood Frame
"La Femme" literally means Look for The Woman. This mixed media painting is an abstracted figure of a woman. I have incorporated pages from a vintage dictionary from a page with the words Woman, Womankind, Procreate and Procrastinate. a In addition, there are 2 pages from a French letter dated ...

"Things Said That Day", 2022 15x30
This mixed media painting is about mixed signals, two people recalling a conversation differently

Women Hold Up Half the Sky and Then Some, 2021 36x48
Women Hold Up Half the Sky is a painting about feminism and women's place in society. The left side is an abstracted female figure created by incorporating part of a hand weaving I created, a vintage textile that I embroidered of the woman's ovaries. The right side of the painting is an abstracted figure of a man that does not dominate her.

The Teaching of the Heart, 2021 24x24. Mixed Media Painting. The Evolution of a Marriage...We all come to a relationship with baggage from our past. This couple grapples with moving forward. AVAILABLE FROM The RICHARD STRAVITZ GALLERY

"Resilient, 4" 2022 30x40 We each deal with stress in our own way. Resilient; the capacity to recover -handling problems with strength and calm, open to change.

Unwavering Will, 2022 15x30 Photos of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman top her golden crown. Since slavery was abolished, multi-generational racism has continued to cause harm and trauma to people of color.

Culture and Pride, 24x36, 2021 Culture and Pride is about how we are defined by our multigenerational family and cultural history.

"The Threads That Bind Us" 2019-2022 24x30, is a figurative piece is about relationships. Uniting with a soulmate makes us whole. The purity and ease with which we are one with each other. How we can finish each others sentences, know what the other is thinking. When we finally find each other we are complete.

"Passion and Persistence" 24x36 2020 A tale of what happens when sheer passion meets pushback and roadblocks can appear too large to overcome. This painting represents a woman morphing into whoever he wants her to be only to realize- he's just a man with flaws.

Daughters of Wisdom, 36x48, 2020 "Daughter's of Wisdom" is about the connection women have with each other. Women bring personal experiences to relationships that are share freely, establishing a sisterhood. The bond stabilizes them in difficult times, offering an umbrella to share to weather difficult times.
In the left figure I incorporated parts of a 1940's silk dress with blue parasols in the neck and torso. I found the dress in an abandoned house when I was 17. The woman's blue hair is a photo I took of large tropical leaves, digitally tinting the image.

"Tides Turn" 12x16, 2022 AVAILABLE at The RICHARD STRAVITZ GALLERY

Deserving of Reverence, 2022, 24x20. She holds fast to her spiritual journey as she navigates her life. She carries the hopes, dreams and burdens of her ancestors. The painting is about women having the strength to go through the day. No matter what comes her way, she is filled with light, grace and gratitude - she is resilient. AVAILABLE FROM The RICHARD STRAVITZ GALLERY

Race II, 16x20, 2021, This painting is about race and how children navigate their lives with others. I represent "Race" with a print of a vintage car race. This digital vintage school photo from 1910 shows 2 young black girls, dressed up for their class photo, they have proud expressions, while the other children display dour looks. In the lower part of the woman's black dress is a dark photo of children's shoes ( from another vintage class photo, subtle inference how she carries school experience with her through life.)

"To Have a Seat at the Table, 2022 15x30
Civil rights, Human rights, Racial Equality

Clarity Was a Point Before His Eyes, 36x36, 2020 This abstract figure is a mixed media painting created using vintage men's silk dress shirt, 18th century French letter, canvas, paper,paint.

"Higher Love" 30x40, 2019-2021. Higher Love is the love we experience together. He's everything to her, as she is to him...Their love is untouchable. This painting was created in 2019 and update in 2021. (I was listening to Marvin Gaye's music while updating it, hence the title)

"Their Unresolved Past", 30x40 Painting, 2020 Their Unresolved Past is about how black people continued to suffer after Emancipation. They wore their physical and emotional scars of terror and subjugation. Vintage tin type portraits at the lower right of her dress suggest a male biological relationship to the woman, with one green eye. With pen in hand she looks to rewrite her history.

Adding texture to the white surface of the canvas, then distressing with X-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.
My paintings are influenced by my deep respect for the artworks by Betye Saar, Romare Bearden and Deborah Roberts.

Dreams + Truths, 2021, 20x24 Dreams + Truths is a painting about Resilience.
Influenced by political divide and social instability, the artworks are a vehicle to express vulnerability, self-worth and expectations in relationships. This mixed media painting portrays the fragility of human connections and understanding our need to stand up as one people is standing up for all. Through my artwork I explore injustices towards women and people of color. Through my artwork I explore injustices towards women and people of color.

Adding texture to the surface of the canvas, then distressing with e-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.
AVAILABLE FROM The RICHARD STRAVITZ GALLERY

The Heart Will Heal,2022 24x36

"Daisy Chains and Promises" 2022 15x30

If I find Vestige of You, I Think, I will Rest, 20x24, 2020
This mixed media collage on stretched canvas is an abstracted view of 2 figures; one searching for a lost figure.
Materials used: a portion of a 19th century French letter, torn pages from a French book, cardboard, recycled envelopes, fabric, portion of 1925 dictionary page ( recline, reclining, recluse, reclusive, recognition), vinyl pieces, rice paper, acrylic paint.

"Presence and Possibilities", 20x24, 2021 Taking the time to look within and find peace with your journey brings resilience.

2021, 18x24. "On the Edge of Humanity" is about civil human rights. The threat of being picked up by the police is very real. The distressed area of the canvas surrounding her portrait represents the the emotional and physical damage inflicted on people of color. Encounters with police officers and menacing groups of people often brings fear for one's safety.
The current social climate where we are acutely aware of those that want to do harm, begs us to consider the vast and unknowable potentials of the future.

Lean Back, Exhale ©2021 20x24, Lean back is a mixed media painting of a semi-abstract reclining female figure. Lean back, but don't get lost.

A Walk in the Park, 22x28 2019

Change Comes Slowly, 16x20, 2020 Change Comes Slowly is a mixed media painting about racism yesterday and today. White America inflicting their values and instituting laws that do not allow black people to succeed.

The vintage tintype of 4 men suggests a common goal of twiddling their hands when it comes to racial equality. The zipper represents an open and closed mind to protect her soul. The white paint that surrounds her portrait is textured and distressed , emblematic of the way she navigates in white society.

"Blue Was the Color of the Year", 2021 20x24. Making peace with what comes your way these past couple of years has been hard...having a partner by your side is a blessing. I am, You are, We are Resilient.

"Day Dreaming and I'm Thinking of You" 2022 24x36

We've Got This, 2022 30x40

Girl with the Pearl Earring, 24x36, Painting, 2020 This mixed media painting of the girl with the pearl earring is a modern interpretation of Vermeer's painting of the same name. She is a beautiful young black woman with dreadlocks in a white bikini bra top.

A Deeply Flawed Man, 24x24, 2019 The complexity of world events, fast moving and observed in real-time, elevates one's imperfections. Inspired by the political and social-sexual actions of flawed men. It speaks to a breakdown of civility between men and women, esteemed world leaders and elected officials.

Clear a Path to Proceed, 24x30 2021 All People are not treated equal. 100 years ago, my grandfather came to this country by ship to pursue the American dream. When he arrived they welcomed him and gave him a silk flag. Many are not treated fairly or given the same opportunities. Voting Rights are supposed to be protected and a right for all American citizens. Protect Amendments 14,15, 19 and 24, 26

Belonging, 2022 12x16
The baggage we carry from one generation to the next

Cell of Rebellion, 24x36

Spiritual Warrior, 24x36, 2021 Her journey includes ancestors that came before her, she carries their hopes, dreams, burdens. Spiritual Warrior is about women having the strength to get through the day. No matter what comes her way, she is light, grace and gratitude and exudes hope.

I am, We are Resilient ,2021, 16x20 During these past 2 years of the pandemic and social/political unrest we have all struggled to exist. We will get through this, some better than others. I will power through to the other side of this.

16x20 2021 "Bestowed with Gifts" is a portrait of an black woman sparkling with life. Her journey has it's challenges and she rises to the opportunities presented before her. The veil with white glitter to her right alludes to opportunities that come up that don't always pan out. She will overcome.

Scratching the Surface, 22x28, 2020 "Scratching the Surface is a mixed media painting about race in America. The white surrounding surface has been scratched out to get below the surface of racism in White America. Adding texture to the surface of the canvas, then distressing with X-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.

Parts of her hair were created using images I took of black metal hangers and staircase in Italy.
Note: the horse( race), tunnel (vision)

Captive of Her Beliefs, 24x36, ©2021 , She holds fast to her spiritual journey as she navigates her life. She carries the hopes, dreams and burdens of her ancestors. The painting is about women having the strength to go through the day. No matter what comes her way, she is filled with light, grace and gratitude - she is resilient.

Love Hangover, 2021 24x30

Souls of Black Folk III, 8"x 8"

"Liabilities and Servitude" 2020, 9x12 Mixed Media on Paper

Cell of Rebellion, 24x36, 2021 Cell of Rebellion recognizes individuality. The grille is to guard words that flow when police brutality and racism get in your face.

Letting Go, 2022 12x12

"Life as a Labyrinth" 2022, 24x24
"The effect of a labyrinth is that you are walking a path that at times brings you closer to the center, while other times the path moves you further away"

"The Souls of Black Folk II" 8"x8"x.5 A series of small paintings about Transgenerational Racism.

"Just Us", 2022 24x36 Some couples have the feeling they have known each other early in their meeting. They are souls that met many lifetimes ago and continue the dance of love. They stand as equals, without power struggles...for they worked that out long ago.

Overriding Obstacles, 2022 11x14