As a kid, drawing was something I always liked and knew how to do. I remember drawing my favorite cartoon characters all the time for fun. When I started studying at UMES I started to see that I had a natural skill for art, and I enjoyed doing it so much that I decided to pursue art as a major.  I found out painting was a medium that I really enjoyed working with. I would always try to paint on my own as a child but I just hadn’t acquired the proper training yet. After taking several college level art classes I have learned techniques that I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d master.

   One artist who has had some major influences on my work is Kadir Nelson. I am very impressed by Nelson’s oil paintings and the manner in which he expresses his art. I am also impressed by the way he does extensive research before he begins his oil paintings. For example, the book “We Are the Ship” Nelson went to collect Negro League Baseball photos, jerseys and even interviewed the players. I also I admire his creative process. He first creates detailed oil paintings and then turns them into illustrations. I was inspired by this style and technique when working on my own art. For example, I painted an oil painting of the boxer Jack Johnson. My reference drawing was an old black and white photo of jack Johnson taken inside of an old boxing gym that I photo-shopped to resemble a modern day photo.

   I would describe my art a raw, painterly realism. I want the viewer to notice the painting process but also get a realistic feel for the subject. I prefer to paint in muted colors, based in observing reality closely. I strive to give the viewer not only a visual experience but also a greater appreciation of the subject matter.