Artist Statement
Descriptions of my art are often populated with words such as very colorful, funny, deep, and full of life.  The look of the work can be described with words such as faux-naïve, political cartooney, or urban folk arty.  Almost always, my work is based on contemporary real life stories or events experienced in daily life.  Under the surface, these micro-narratives offer socio-political commentary about a range of larger issues that often have to do with the layered experiences of race, class, gender, and sexuality.   The stories may be directly autobiographical or they may be illustrations of personally collected oral narratives. The attitude is both distinctly Black Feminist and uniquely zealous.  It is always my intention move the viewer to have an emotional experience with the work.  Simultaneously, I like to think of myself as having the luminal role of documentarian and anthropologist.

Artists and genres that inspire the aesthetic of my work are eclectic.  However, with respect to the look of my work, the bulk of inspiration comes from contemporary political cartoons, southern African-American folk art, and Harlem Renaissance narrative painters.  When I was a teenager, I drew portraits and caricatures at Busch Gardens Amusement Park in Williamsburg, Virginia.  This experience also has a profound impact of my work.  As a young adult, I attempted to become a playwright and screenwriter.  The urge to tell stories with black characters that move through space and time is probably a main factor in my experimentation with the “scrolling” format of panels that I use in many works.  In the overall body of my work, the theatricalities of my upbringing, meet with the cinematic influences that are ever-looming in Los Angeles.

EDUCATION:
2007 MFA, Otis College of Art & Design, CA
2002 – 2003, UCLA Graduate School of Film & Television, CA
2008 BFA, Howard University, Washington, DC

AWARDS:
2008 Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Villaraigosa for Cultural Contributions, Los Angeles, CA
2007 Anderson Ranch Scholarship Recipient, Snowmass, CO
1999 Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship, Arena Stage Theater, Washington, DC

EXHIBITIONS:
2010 “Skin Deep”, The Loft at Liz’s, Los Angeles, CA
2008 “The Future of Nations: Patriot Acts II”, 18th St Arts Center, Santa Monica, CA
2008 “Colors to Life Beautiful”, 626 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Pillow Talk Erotic Art”, “The Castle” 2062 Ivar, Hollywood, CA
2007 “Circumnavigate the Soul”, Pounder-Kone Art Space, Atwater, CA
2007 “The Pyramid Show”, Monte Vista Art Space, Highland Park, CA
2007 “Ecstasy of Living”, Gallery Viento y Agua, Long Beach, CA
2007 Barnsdall Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Public Secrets”, Bolsky Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Women’s Stories of Work & Survival” MOCA GEFFEN, participating artist/organizer, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Sisters In Spirit: The Power of Seven”, Gallery 626, Los Angeles, CA
2007 “Restricted Access: The Performing Archive”, 18th St. Arts Center. Participating feminist, Santa Monica, CA
2006 “Stomping Ground”, Le Florence Gallery, Leimert Park, CA
2006 Greater LA MFA Exhibition California State University, Long Beach, CA
2006 “Making Room”, Kerckhoff Gallery, UCLA
2005 “Annual Juried Southern California Art Exhibit “, Laguna Beach Museum, Laguna, CA
2005 Cannibal Flower (Monthly) Group Show, Los Angeles, CA

PRESS, PUBLICATION, APPEARANCES…
“African Americans Doing Feminism: Putting Theory into Everyday Practice,” book cover art. Published 2010.
LA Times, The Guide, Calendar section, Los Angeles, CA, 1/24/08
Palisadian Post, Lifestyle section, Pacific Palisades, CA, 1/31/2008
The Los Angeles Cultural Affairs African American-Heritage Month Cultural Guide, cover artist, 1/2008
WBAI, 99.5 Pacifica Radio, interview airdate New York, New York, 9/6/07
Channel  4, KNBC., Los Angeles, CA, 4/07
“Top Design”, BRAVO, Reality Television Program, Los Angeles, CA, 2/07
The Sentinel Newspaper , Los Angeles, CA, 12/21/06
KPFK 90.7 FM interview by Sonali Kolhatkar, Los Angeles, CA, 9/06
Downtown LA Life Online Magazine,”Women’s Edition II”, 7/15/06
“Pacesetters”, KTLA Channel 5, Los Angeles, CA, 1/06
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Emporia, CA, 10/27/05
87.7 Oran-Z Liberation Radio interview, Los Angeles, CA, 3/05