Projects

This 8.5 x 11 framed print features a collage of iconic stills from the acclaimed video "This Is America." The meticulously designed and thought-provoking visuals communicate a message that is still pertinent today. It inspired my creativity to reflect the same themes, aiming for the message to resonate even more powerfully.

This 8.5 x 11 framed print features Tyler The Creator as one of his album alter egos, Sir Baudelaire. This character represents Tyler's newfound sophistication and his struggle to translate that into the ideal relationship. As an avid listener of his music, I appreciate the world-building present in his artistry. The ability to transport people to different realms through art excites me, and I aimed to capture that essence in this illustration.

This 8.5 x 11 framed print captures the urban legend of the Florida Man, a mythical figure whose persona can shift between male and female based on news stories. In this case, it highlights Tom Brady, who came to the Tampa Bay area and led our cherished hometown team to the Super Bowl in 2021. Luckily, the Lombardi Trophy didn't end up in the bay while he was throwing it to Gronkowski during that unforgettable boat parade. If you listen carefully, you may hear the phrase "dad no!" echoing through the waters on a foggy nights drive across the Howard Franklin.

This 8.5 x 11 framed print, showcases Janelle Monáe as the cyborg F.A.MFANE-57821 (F.A.MF. stands for Free Ass Mother F***) from Their album and "emotion picture", Dirty Computer. It represents the belief that everyone deserves to feel liberated celebrated, no matter their circumstances. As a black Queer woman their project resonated with me to express my voice through art to help other women gain empowerment, agency, and the importance of taking charge of one's own narrative and body.

This 8.5 x 11 framed print, of the iconic Frida Kahlo alongside a quote that I often turn to during tough times. She led an extraordinary life, and her artistry vividly illustrates her pain, passion, and perspective the human experience. Frida was undeniably a trailblazer of her era.

This 11 x 14 framed print was a commission piece I created in 2023. The client encouraged me to "do my thing," so I chose this image of her because of the thoughtful gaze she portrays. It reminded me of my childhood when her music filled our home, making her feel like a mystical figure a songbird-like vocal range. It wasn’t until my 20s that her lyrics truly resonated with me, particularly characters like the "bag lady," a woman yearning for the "window seat" on her flight, which gave a whole new depth to her message.

This 8 x 10 Original on Canvas is from Kehlani's 2024 Crash album. I wanted to push my boundaries and explore a hyper-realism style on a smaller scale. My intention was to depict her, so well that she noticed the painting during her concert last December. Which amusingly sat at the venue's concierge desk for two hours. The highlight? I truly enjoyed the process of this portrait, and she looked my way a few times during the concert so a win is a win!

This 9 x 12 original canvas artwork of SZA draws inspiration from her 2023 "Kill Bill" video. I repurposed an abstract galaxy canvas I had on hand, primarily using it as a portrait study for practice. This allowed me to creatively map out another image, utilizing elements from the existing abstract galaxy piece to form her hair.

This original 9 x 12 canvas of Ari Lennox features a hidden painting underneath, showcasing my first attempt. If you’re interested in seeing the process, be sure to check out the video on my TikTok. Nevertheless, I decided to give it another shot using a close-up reference photo and experimented with a looser painting style for a more Impressionist approach.

This original 8 x 10 canvas artwork of the late Mac Miller draws inspiration from his 2014 mixtape, Faces, and its cover art. I aimed to explore Surrealism in this portrait to reflect the and jazzy instrumentals that complement the darker lyrical themes of the mixtape. Mac's artistry evolved from that of a red solo cup party boy to a more eclectic sound. While creating this piece, I couldn't help but imagine how his music would have evolved if he were still with us today.

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This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

My intention for this piece is to give the viewer a sense of empathy, compassion, and safety. In my journey as a queer person, I've met amazing people along the way whose families missed out on the chance of having a relationship with them all due to being queer, and their beliefs outweighed simply accepting them as they are. Similarly, Eric Effiong, a queer person of color from the popular Netflix series sex education, on whom this piece is based, faces a similar plight.

Throughout the series, we see Eric choosing to shine his light and stand in his identity despite struggling with his faith, family, and mental health. Seeing his character development, as well as hearing the stories of those around me, gave me the idea to reflect that narrative. With this particular piece, our triumphs are to find those moments of Peace, those moments of clarity where you feel more confident in yourself, your entire being, despite it all. Through this portraiture, I wanted to show a queer person of color basking in the glow of reclaiming their soul in the society. They begin in a more guarded stance, as queer people are often targets of outdated rhetoric, behavior and policies that are geared toward the erasure of our queer identity. This harsh reality causes many to feel as though they must navigate the world with a stone-like presence, to defend against the harsh realities of being queer. However, when you find kindred spirits, it slowly chips away at that protective, Stony exterior and gives you the strength to stand in your light and embrace its glow because you are loved and celebrated in this world exactly as you are and you deserve to shine without fear of persecution.

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This original 16 x 20 canvas artwork My goal is to evoke empathy and compassion. As a queer individual, I've witnessed how some families miss out on relationships due to their beliefs. This piece reflects the journey of Eric Effiong from the Netflix series "Sex Education," who embraces his despite struggles with faith and family. Through this portrait, I aim to depict a queer person of color reclaiming their identity, overcoming societal challenges, and finding strength in love and acceptance, allowing them to shine confidently in their true.

There are a few things that inspired this piece, the first being the Amazon Prime Video television series "A League of Their Own." This period piece introduces the character named Maxine "Max" Chapman, who is the focal point of this portrait. I chose this pose after she reached a pivotal moment in her story, where she figured out her definition of queerness and started to embrace her sense of self and newfound awareness of androgynous styling. I felt like I captured her bold, black, queer joy look of bliss. Viewing these scenes of her getting her first short haircut and a suit that fits are milestones I vividly remember on my way to myself and so rarely get to see depicted. I hope this image of bliss resonates with other lesbians who may find themselves identifying more as masc-presenting women or non-binary persons. Also, know that you just like to be strong in your skin, to be sexy, and to be styled in the way you want to be. Plus, she gets the girl of her dreams. Hint at the kiss mark on the cheek.

The next node of inspiration is from the song "The French 75' by Janelle Monáe. I chose to utilize the same title because music is very important to me as an artist.

The vibe gave me a sense of synesthesia, and l wanted to incorporate those colors through abstract brush strokes for the background. The sounds of celebration and carefree moments of fun in Paris, notably in the French Quarter, could be a metaphor for how to acclaim life to the best you know how. With lyrics that toast to various experiences, from enjoying sapphic moments and self-expression to, lastly, a pure blissful good time.

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Inspired by the Amazon Prime series "A League of Their Own," this portrait centers on Maxine "Max" Chapman at a pivotal moment of self-discovery and queer joy, marked by her first short haircut and tailored suit. I hope this image resonates with lesbians and non-binary individuals embracing their identities, celebrating strength and style. Additionally, the title references Janelle Monáe's song "The French 75," which evokes a sense of celebration and carefree moments, embodying the joy of self-expression and life's blissful experiences.

This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.

This is your Project description. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start.