The primary focus of my work is African American youth and how current fashion trends are used as a form of celebrating the Black aesthetic and self-identity. When creating the portraits, I collaborate with the sitter. I allow them to determine their pose and choose their clothing as a way to take charge of their image.

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 after, when they encounter Black youth, I hope they will consider them in the same way as they did the subjects in my work: that the individual’s outward appearance is a positive form of self-expression.

I aim to produce work that is a culmination of people, not as subjects to paint, but as people with their own sense of self.