I use abstraction to depict the soul or consciousness of my figures through drawing and painting as I tell narratives about human experiences within the African Diaspora. Energy and frequency are recurring themes within my work as I think about humans’ reflection of nature and grasp an understanding of what life really is. The engraved markings within my subjects become a representation of our cells and memory. I use many coats within my painting process to signal the multiple layers of a person and their experiences while also revealing those layers through a sgraffito technique that calls on beauty tools like combs and afro picks. My process speaks to the idea of our hair being an extension of our nervous system and draws a comparison between brain waves, curl patterns, and light as a means to uplift and celebrate Black beauty and discuss topics around mental health, humanity, and life.