A Reflection on Emotion, Identity, and Transformation
Art, for me, is not just an act of creation; it is an act of survival, of healing, and of self-definition. My muse is a composite of my experiences, emotions, and inspirations—a fluid force shaped by the battles I have fought, the voices I have found, and the purpose I now walk in. It is the language of my recovery, the echo of my reflection, and the spiritual energy that moves through me as I transform pain into power.
At the core of my work is the journey of overcoming abuse. The process of healing has been neither linear nor easy, but it has been transformative. Art gives me a space where I can process my past, confront my wounds, and ultimately find strength in my scars. Every stroke, every texture, and every color I choose is a testament to resilience—proof that I have survived.
Transformation is central to my artistic voice. I am not the person I once was, and my work reflects that metamorphosis. From silence to expression, from fear to empowerment, each piece I create becomes a marker of where I have been and where I am going. My art is not only a reflection of my emotions but also an extension of my spirit.
Identity is an evolving element in my work. As a Black, non-binary artist, I navigate spaces of culture, resistance, and self-discovery. My art serves as both a declaration and an exploration—who I am, where I come from, and how I exist in a world that often seeks to define me before I can define myself.
Healing is a sacred act in my artistic process. My work is not just about acknowledging pain but about reclaiming joy, peace, and the power to tell my own story. Through texture, movement, and color, I depict the rawness of recovery, the vulnerability of reflection, and the beauty of growth.
Spirituality is woven into my creative identity. There is something divine in the act of creating—something ancient, something cosmic. I am drawn to symbols, shapes, and concepts that feel timeless and universal. Circles, in particular, embody my understanding of destiny, cycles, and the interconnectedness of life.
I was not always able to express myself freely. Abuse, both past and present, tried to silence me, but art gave me a voice. I paint, write, and create to reclaim what was once taken—to affirm that I exist, that I matter, and that my story deserves to be told.
Walking in my purpose means honoring my truth and allowing my art to be a space for others who have also endured. My work is not just for me—it is for those who see themselves in my journey, who seek healing through creation, and who need a reminder that they are not alone.
Colors are emotions given form. Blue is depth, reflection, and the vastness of the sky and sea. Red is passion, fire, and the intensity of survival. I am drawn to colors that pop—colors that refuse to be ignored, much like the voices of those who have been silenced for too long.
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Textures hold memory. I embrace the grain of film, the noise of distortion, and the roughness of hard brushes. These elements reflect the imperfections of experience—the static, the interruptions, the rawness of life itself.
Words anchor my creativity. Recovery. Reflection. Spiritual. Culture. Each word represents a foundation upon which my art is built, a reminder of the purpose behind every stroke and shade.
Shapes carry meaning beyond their form. Fluidity in my art reflects movement, transformation, and the idea that nothing—pain, identity, healing—is fixed. Ancient symbols speak to something greater than myself, a lineage of artists and storytellers who have come before me. Circles represent wholeness, destiny, and the cyclical nature of life, appearing again and again in my work as a silent, guiding force.
Nature inspires me in its vastness and power. Space, with its endless possibilities. Trees, with their roots and resilience. Mountains, standing tall despite erosion. The ocean, deep and unpredictable. Clouds, ever-changing but always present. These natural elements reflect the complexity of my own journey.
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Relationships shape the emotional landscape of my work. Abusive relationships have left scars, but they have also taught me strength. Friendships have shown me the beauty of connection. Love has been both a refuge and a battlefield, influencing the way I see myself and the world around me.
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Culture is the heartbeat of my inspiration. Black culture—its history, its pain, its joy—is the foundation of my identity. Asian history, with its traditions and philosophies, calls to me. The LGBTQIA community, with its fight for visibility and acceptance, reminds me of the importance of existing authentically.
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People Who Inspire Me
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Characters like Olivia Pope, Jessica Pearson, and Raven Baxter embody intelligence, power, and confidence—qualities I seek to channel in my art and life. Artists like Sam Gilliam and Jean-Michel Basquiat inspire me to push the boundaries of abstraction and color. Dark Phoenix reflects transformation and rebirth, mirroring my own evolution as an artist.
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Media That Moves Me
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Movies that explore space, Black classics that define culture—these films influence the way I see storytelling and visuals. TV shows with one-word titles, shows named after cities—there is a distinctiveness in these choices, a boldness in their simplicity that I admire.
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The 70s: graffiti, nature, music—a decade of raw expression and revolution. The 90s: Black culture in its unapologetic glory, shaping my sense of self and artistic vision.
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My muse is a living entity—fluid, ever-changing, yet deeply rooted in my experiences, identity, and inspirations. It is shaped by my past, driven by my present, and guiding me toward my future. Through my art, I tell stories of pain and healing, identity and transformation, spirituality and culture. Every color, every texture, every shape is a piece of me, a testament to the resilience of my voice and the power of my purpose. And in this journey, I am not just creating—I am reclaiming, redefining, and setting my own canvas ablaze with the fire of my truth.
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