Behind the Collection

I went in with the intention to make this set of drawings feel like coming out of hibernation, both literally & figuratively. For the past year I’ve actively been sharing my art after not doing so because I was scared of comparison. Despite graduating art school and loving art with my whole heart, to my disappointment the world did not welcome me or my portfolio with open arms. My way of confronting this devastation was going into a hibernation of sorts

I’m someone who’s inclined to hide away but I’m enamoured by the concept of fueling up by resting, then awaking with a renewed sense of passion and purpose. As someone who’s very hard on herself I wonder how much forward movement could I actually achieve if I valued real rest instead of perpetually keeping my foot on the gas & then inevitably burning out. Sometimes the world makes me feel like I’m destined for it,  but then I remember I have autonomy & I run this! 

As a black woman, rest, breaks, self-care do not come naturally to me & for soooo long I glorified the grind and ran myself ragged just so I could feel like a hero? To who - I don’t know. So I want these drawings to be representations of waking up from what doesn’t serve you and moving into what does, at whatever pace feels good. I love how intimate & playful that idea is because no one else can declare that for you, but you. So take whatever piece of delusional optimism that I’ve infused in these drawings with you. 

Something about this spring is a little sweeter than usual