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"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)

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).
"Depicts all that love can be - home, challenge, passion, communion - a place where protections and acceptance provide a secure foundation for reaching up and flying towards the heavens"~ Amy Kitchin , Richard Stravitz

Faith" is about the journey we take in relationships. Plant the seed and encourage growth, represented in colorful tree. Navigating the ups and downs with an open mind and heart. The woman’s head faces 2 directions, confident of moving forward, reaffirming his commitment.
The windows represent open mind and hearts, the open gate an escape route.

Growing up we expect to find ever-lasting love and happiness. The young woman who carries her desire for love and happiness in the tv ( herself as a girl in the vast ocean looking to the horizon - her future.
He stands straight with an unsettled look. He leads with his sexuality, she her fairytale dream.
I am fascinated by the practice of elongating women’s necks in African and Southeast Asian cultures. (“Within Africa’s Ndebele tribe, the women of the tribe wear copper and brass rings around their necks. The rings are given to the women by their husbands and worn as a sign of faithfulness, and were once removed only after the women died”
The metallic paint(between them)is the chemistry they have together. She is holding a paper (from a 1925 music book) that states “Lover” - the “r” obscured so as not to label him as much as what they have together.

This painting 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.

My grandfather came to this country on a ship 100 years ago to pursue the American dream. When he arrived they gave him a silk, 5x7 American Flag to celebrate his new home. All People are not treated equal. The same goes for Voting Rights; Amendments 14,15, 19 and 24, 26 Protect your right to vote. Her neck and chest was created layering lists of American citizens.

Mixed Media Painting, "What's Past is Prologue" is the first chapter- an introduction- to the life that this couple will soon embark upon. "The title "What's Past is Prologue" is from Shakespeare's play "The Tempest". " Sir Walter Raleigh had in fact named one of the new world colonies "Virginia" after his monarch’s chastity. King James arranged political marriages for his grandchildren. Prospero, feels the need to teach Miranda the "value of chastity", a primary lesson being taught by the masque along with having a happy marriage." This mixed media painting includes original photography, a letter dated 1771, cut paper on stretched canvas.

To commemorate the last confederate monument (Lee) to be removed form historic Monument Ave. in Richmond, Virginia, I created this portrait about Race and the Promise of Equality for All People.

2020 was a year of struggle for many of us coping with the health of family and friends. This self portrait began as something quite different. It began as a portrait of a couple not facing each other- the title was to be " We don't even speak the same language anymore". I was struggling with his face. While watching a British series "The Spanish Princess" I saw a man with a birdlike mask on- commonly used during the plague in the 18th century, worn by physicians to protect them from airborne diseases. I saw an immediate connection with my painting- as I had already created her face using an advertisement in Chinese, suddenly the painting had turned a corner. His arms were created using skins shed from a common snake, and a vinyl coating from metal grating- relating to the shedding of the virus. As I mentioned this is a self portrait, the man, my husband may have had mild but deeply concerning symptoms of the Corona virus.

This mixed media painting on stretched canvas is about racism experienced in America. It's dark ,ugly and not so subtle. Even with his Metal of Valor he is disrespected as a black man. On the left side is a picture of flooded houses surrounded by water- Hurricane Katrina (2005) when Black lives did not matter to the Bush White House/FEMA.

This mixed media painting on canvas is about flirting and relationships,. We project what we want others to see - not always the way we see ourselves.

This mixed media on canvas, celebrates love, passion and history. It illustrates love in an earlier time when couples married with little knowledge of the other.
The vintage scalloped linen illustrates her vulva embroidered with "HIS". Vintage lace, silk, photograph, cardboard, leather, shells, canvas and gaffer tape were incorporated into this unique piece.

Racism has been passed down generation to generation. Photos of politicians, actors in blackface makeup used as a costume are finally being called out for the racist connotations. We as a nation are discussing the hurt felt by people of color when they are mocked.

NOW $650. (orig.$950) This painting celebrates black culture and love of one's self. Race relations come up a lot in my painting. With the rise of national and international protests, this painting illustrates a call to speak up for injustice. I am encouraged by the huge protest marches around the world.