The primary focus of my work is African American youth and current fashion trends as a form of celebrating the Black aesthetic and self-identity. I strive to capture the essence of my subjects through photo-realistic portraits. Applying oil to canvas, I enhance the figure by rendering dramatic textured backgrounds with hues complementing their clothing and flesh tones.

Black youth are often judged negatively by their appearance; an afro, braids, barbershop cut, tattoo, hoodie, and other traditional dress styles place them in the immediate threat zone. When people outside of the Black community observe my paintings, I want them to try and imagine who the individual is while placing all preconceived notions and stereotypes aside. And when encountering Black youth, I hope they will consider, as when viewing the subject in my work, that the individual’s outward appearance is a positive form of self-expression. For African Americans viewing my paintings, I want them to feel a sense of connectivity and pride—and discover a familiar face within, one that reminds them of themselves, a friend, or a family member.

My process when creating portraits is to collaborate with the sitter. I allow them to determine their pose and clothing, thus taking charge of their image. Often featured in my paintings are my friends and family members. But I also venture outside of that circle and deliberately select African Americans of varied skin colors to elevate and celebrate the diversity of skin tones within our race.