May 22nd, I had the upmost joy in participating in Austin’s Black Art Matters event. Being that was my first time doing anything like that, I soaked up every experience, high and low, in preparation for this. Made me feel at home in an art scene, along with affirming art is what I want to do.

Big shot out to Austin Creative Reuse (ACR) for having things hella cheap lol. I was able to create my entire backdrop with materials from ACR. There was also many artists there that provided help and support as well. Which makes me think, Art, really can heal y’all. I’m an introvert at heart, so to feel ok in a new space that was made with art in mind, tells me a lot. Art has a transformative power and often times as been at the center of many movements. The Harlem Renaissance comes to mind… it had immense power as black creatives created with the intent to express themselves and the black experience. Being able to contribute to an art collective of any kind is empowering and motivating considering the support and love of art are at the center of it all. Creating art and being an an environment where you can authentically be yourself is the most yearned dream I want to become a reality. I feel like I cannot adequately express how happy I was amongst other artists and art consumers alike, connecting and understanding each other through art.

I’ll tell you what, I know that I don’t shy away from topics that not only are sensitive for black people, but puts the inhumane bullcorn in the forefront of it all. Being said, I was surprised how many people outside of my own race wanting to connect with me as an artist, wanting to understand my art, and even willing to buy it. Again, just reaffirms my idea that art is transformative and can serve as a communicator between people who are different and have experienced lives different from each other. So that being said, I suspect my next few art pieces are going to be a mix of the good and the bad. I am actively working on pulling together my Strange Fruit series, but know that I need to space it out as researching and drawing lynches isn’t an everyday project I could work on without feeling some type of way. So don’t be surprised to see some heavy concepts mixed in with light ones. Until then…