Mixed Media Paintings + Collage

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

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.

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.

Women Hold Up Half the Sky and Then Some, 2021 36x48

Love and Hate are Learned Early, 2021 20x24 ...the title says it all

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 Change, 24x36, 2021
Dreams Change is about a year of looking within. Deciding what one needs and wants to be happy, fulfilled and centered. I have been collecting vintage textiles for several decades; representing personal history. Her right eye socket is of art books edged in gold leaf, what I value. Her left arm was creating using cut magazine images to resemble a tattoo sleeve - though I don't have any tattoos, I studied the Anthropology of Tattoos in college and appreciate them for their cultural/creative design and personal messages they impart.

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.

Overriding Obstacles, 2022 11x14

The Sky Remains, But The Clouds Pass, 2022 20x24 She moves gracefully through life, absorbing the joys and disappointments that come her way. The sky remains is about our resilience to move through life and letting go of the things that don't serve us.

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

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.

"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)

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.

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.

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.

Souls of Black Folk III, 8"x 8"

La Femme, 24 x 36, 2019
"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 ...

"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.

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.

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.

Love Hangover, 2021 24x30

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.

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

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)

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.)

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.

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.

Resilient IV, 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.

Black Magic Woman, 2021 22x28

Modern Love, 2021 24x30 Abstract figures

Doesn't Much Believe in the Concept of Regret. 24x36 2021

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.

"It's Not You, It's Me", 2021 24x30 The journey leads to you, but the results may be challenging. (reference:too many fish in the sea, airing one's laundry)

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.

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.

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.