As a student of art history it is hard to narrow down the list of the artists that inspire me . The list of artist that inspire me grows yearly. However my top favorites are Jim Carey, Jacob Lawrence, Anthony Martino, Benny Andrews , Anne Lee, Max Beckman, and Alvin Ailey

In Jim Careys I love the vibrancy and versatility in his paintings and sculptures he’s so experimental in his methods and in watching his process I feel a lot of peace. It is also really inspiring to see someone that I respect so deeply as an actor pivot into a different art form . Multi hyphenates are some of my favorite people to watch.

Jacob Lawrence for the movement and story telling in his work. I love how his work almost looks like cut outs or collages sometimes. Additionally as someone who grew up in both the south (Florida ) and up north (New York City) I deeply appreciate how he has depicted the great migration of black folks . From a sociological perspective I find it interesting looking at his works through a modern lease and thinking about how as things become monetarily oppressive for people in the north, there seems to be a second great migration happening.

As well as Benny Andrews. I have a painting that directly references his painting “ looking for that bigger thing. my version depicts me walking through a museum directly after the pandemic and I was wearing a face mask at the time . I forgot about this paintings name when I referenced it until recently when I went to the Alvin Ailey exhibition at the Whitney and saw his painting “The way to the promise land” from 1930. I was drawn to this painting like a magnet and when I looked up the artist I realized that it was the same artist that I had been inspired by in 2021.

I love the iconic works of Anne Lee as a black person I have seen this work in many homes growing up however it wasn’t until I was an adult that I felt the full weight of her painting “blue Monday “ . I recreated it during a time when I felt like my body was betraying me, and it was all I could do just to get out of bed and give my 110% best effort. My painting “and still I rise on a Monday “ is a tribute to Anne Lee, Adults everywhere who have been in that position and still got out of bed to fight another day, and it is also a tribute to Mya Angelou who’s biographies I have read multiple times.

Max Beckman’s art work is amazing because he really is not afraid to take up the MAXimum space on the page ;) . As someone with ADHD I love this because I never run out. of things to look at and process. His paintings hold a lot of tension . “The night” by Max Beckman is a political commentary on society during World War 1. I recreated it for 2 reasons

A. My teacher Jessica Westhafer assigned for us to learn through copying from the old masters and she gave us a list of about 15 artists to choose from . Max Beckman was on the list and his work stuck out to me the most.

B. I was teaching myself how to use a grid system and semi ink and I knew that “the night” would be challenging and I would learn a lot from recreating it.

C. I began having images in my head of how I would have painted it differently.

Anthony Martino is hands down the professor that has inspired me most so far in my art school journey. I learned the importance of pallet knife, how to oil paint, how to stretch out my paint in order to save money, and I gained a better understanding of when to know that an art work is finished. In his own work I really admire the way how he creates depth in his paintings using a mix mark making, as well as deep hues of blues browns , and Alizarin Crimson.

 I am a huge fan of Alvin Aliey . When I was a child on one of my first trips from Florida to New York My family and I went to see an Alvin Aliey performance and it was my first time that I had been moved to tears in such a positive way. I had always known on some level that to dance is to partake in a spiritual practice or even a spiritual cleansing.   Having an understanding of the energy in your body and where it needs to go, as well as exchanging that energy with another person dance with another person…can be expressed with give and take push and pull.

In the beginning of my artist journey 4 years ago I became smitten with expressive action poses.  As a dancer/and personal trainer with a limited range of motion and strength that is still being developed I love expressing my love for dance through visual art.

Oil painting is hands down my favorite way to create visually. I love mixing my own pigments and textures. I love the slow drying time that allows me the ability to leave a work think about it and come back with a fresh perspective.

Yes! I am proud to say that I am in fact a full time artist. However, I do not exclusively work for myself . I also do independent contracting. For the past year I have been teaching children art yoga and meditation. Which is a perfect blend between my current career as an artist and my previous career as a fitness professional. As a fitness professional I offered lifestyle coaching, virtual sessions and swim instructing .

In addition to that I am also a full time student currently pursuing my masters degree in art . Please wish me luck !