My work aims to reach beyond the surface-level perceptions of Black identity, revealing its depth, richness, and complexity. By layering elements like collage and painting, I explore the intricate tapestry of Black experiences. Inspired by music, I explore various rhythms to express my emotions and imaginations. These emotional responses are then channeled into abstract shape collages and experimental color palettes, creating a vibrant symphony of harmony that uplifts the soul of Black culture.

My artistic journey began at the College for Creative Studies, majoring in Illustration. There, I learned about the golden era of illustration by studying various late American illustrators such as N.C. Wyeth, Dean Cornwell, and Norman Rockwell, who together created my fundamental knowledge of picture-making. While I appreciated those traditional artists, I am most fascinated with the revolutionary evocative techniques that emerged in the mid-20th century.  Artists like Robert Peak, Burnie Fuchs, and Mark English, who project raw, simplified rendering capabilities and strong shape design, inspire me to own my creative freedom.

As a Detroit native, I strive daily to match the city’s inventive spirit, cultural influence, and artistic heritage. Karriem Riggins, Detroit-born jazz drummer, hip-hop producer, and music trailblazer, inspires me to be multifaceted in my craft. Listening to how Riggins fuses drumming with off-the-grid and heavily sampled beats challenges me to explore my own artistic rhythms and how I can remix them as a mixed media artist. I apply Riggins’ innovative style to my own practice by sampling the cultural aesthetics from the 1960s era, contemporary animation, and fashion. I combine gestural drawing techniques blended with paper collage and painting to create a kaleidoscope of playful mark-making with crisp and organic tones. My work seamlessly blends the attitudes I interpret from hip-hop, jazz, soul, and disco, by creating harmonious and vibrant pictures that evoke pop and energy.

My journey with mixed media teaches me to unapologetically own every mark, shape, and impression I produce on any surface, no matter the number of materials I use. Instead of viewing my artistic mistakes as setbacks, I embrace the opportunity for creative problem-solving. With jazz-like improvisation, I juggle between wet and dry mediums, so I can find the right rhythm and best solution to any picture-making problem.