A sleepy, unbelievably happy, missing my children and fiancé, sparks flying, creativity stirring 33 year old self. Today has been good. Loving this roller coaster life of mine.

When we choose to love, we choose to move against fear, against alienation and separation. The choice to love is a choice to connect, to find ourselves in the other.” -bell hooks. Thinking so much about this quote lately. Thinking about my time here in Ghana being away from my loved ones but allowing myself the space to reconnect with myself. When thinking about the work I wanted to create during my residency here with @gallery1957 I started with the idea of my relationship with my son keegan who is autistic. Thinking of the ways we acknowledge our love for one another. So much of our communication is based on touch. Emotions are challenging thing for keegan to acknowledge. To articulate your love for someone and yourself looks different for everyone. I know he loves me by the gentle touch he gives my cheek, or how he’ll stroke my head. He communicates his love for me through physical touch, because communicating verbally is quite different for him then it is for myself. I then thought about the idea of self love, and what it truly means for me to love another. I don’t think I could have properly been in love with someone until I fell in love with myself. I found someone that I love and feel safe with, but honestly that was only possible because I learned how to be in love with myself. Alienating myself and putting myself down was a regular thing for me. However, it’s not anymore. I find strength in who I have grown to be and the beauty of being an ever evolving person. I find strength in knowing that my ancestors fought to love one another when so many were brutally separated from the people they held most dear. I feel a sense of obligation in pride in getting to know myself and love myself everyday. In being in love and supported by the person of my dreams, and by being in love with my children that make me brave. This work is centered on community, loving the people and the person you are.

Lots of new personal work and works apart of shows in the next few months. Feeling the push and fire to create non stop these days. Enjoying all of this color and all the color still to come.

“Unending” 56 in by 81 in Oil, Acrylic and Latex paint on Canvas

New Work headed to London.

Oh you know it’s just about that time for my mushy gushy post about this woman right here. I started working with this woman a little over a year ago and shortly after exhibiting with Mashonda for the first time last year she became my ride or die manager. No relationship is perfect but this one comes pretty close. She says the hard things and the encouraging things. She pushes me and also let’s me be my best self. She allows me to dream big and never ever confines me to doing just one thing. I’m an artist and a baker. I’m a woman and a mother. I am fierce and also timid. I struggle with anxiety and large social engagements. She doesn’t ask me to change but allows me the space to do what suits me and shows me ample amounts of grace in the process. I love you M. Thank you for everything! Also ya girl swang hard on these mini 4” cakes @__ladylo__ Banana cake with a vanilla cookie crust. Rum spiced glaze. Filled with a vanilla cream and sautéed bananas. Topped with a white chocolate ganache/spiced cream cheese frosting, toasted walnuts and coconut and caramelized banana. chocolate sponge cake, with a chocolate ganache, salted hazelnut praline crunch with a whipped mascarpone chocolate fudge frosting Lemon cake with a raspberry chambord filling. Topped with a light whipped lemon cream cheese frosting. Toasted pistachios, candied lemons and freeze dried raspberries

Mind blown. Beyond encouraged. Tired as heck and feeling so much joy. The last week has been a whirlwind. Said goodbye to a friend, drove 8 hours to New York right after. Spent the next day baking a crap ton of mini cakes, went to an opening and immediately after at 1am drove home to Cleveland. Life is a whirlwind and I would not trade any of it for anything. So beyond grateful for each opportunity I get to share my heart and work with you all. Thank you to my leading lady especially @mashondatifrere Happy 1 year anniversary baby. Thank you for this past year. Thank you for believing me always, and to @donnakaranthewoman for allowing us artists to use this space to share our passions and stories with so many. Last night that space was filled with so much good energy. To my fellow artists that I had the great privilege to show with last night I love you all an am inspired and in awe of each and everyone of you. Y’all are the real deal! Earrings by @ldy.luck

“Something’s Going On” now on view at @urbanzen Piece measures at 50” by 72” Acrylic and Oil on canvas

Y’all ain’t going to catch me with these tones much longer. About to dive back into some bold, vibrant colors. So much new work coming soon.

Putting in the hours🖤

“River” commission piece measuring at 12” by 16” oil and acrylic on Canvas

Not everyday is a good day. Yesterday I received the news that my right hand in the studio and friend passed away on Thursday evening. Simone and I hit it off almost immediately last year. As an artist your studio for most of us is your safe place, so letting people in, letting people help is not always easy. However, with Simone it was. She was this non judgmental, incredibly easy and chill energy in the room. She made me feel safe to create, unravel and continue to be myself in the studio. I needed her, I needed her help last year. I don’t use the term “Friend” lightly and when I love you I love you hard. Simone was my friend and I trusted her completely. Simone was the kind of person that made it easy to love them. We bonded over our love for art, our anger towards the greed and state of the world but we really bonded over our love for the people in our lives. The world has lost a fierce, vibrant, undeniably good and bold person. Sending so much love to her other half Michael and her family that she talked non stop about. I feel so honored to have known her, and been believed in by her. Rest In Peace my beautiful friend.