After the Black History Month FETE, I entered a period of transition and reflection. I wasn’t entirely sure what the next steps were, though I had a sense of possibilities. During these moments, I often include Powerpuff Girls in my work, which has become a kind of recurring theme for me. It’s a way to mark periods of thinking, exploring, and adjusting after significant experiences. These moments aren’t about isolation in a negative sense. They’re about giving yourself space to process, experiment, and discover.
During this time, I spent a lot of energy exploring the practicalities of art-making. I considered what it meant to stretch a canvas, how different paints dried, and how textures could be layered. While creating the Black History Month FETE pieces, I experimented with acrylics and oils, learning how each medium behaved, how brush strokes could affect the outcome, and how different surfaces from linen to traditional canvas responded. I was learning through doing, but there was still much more to figure out.
I often sought guidance through reflections from my cousin, who is a well-established artist. Back in 2020, when I was sketching and trying to conceptualize my path, he always reminded me that it was about my vision. He encouraged me to ask, what do I want to make? What do I want my art to be? From there, I studied the artists I admired, from Eddie Martinez to David Choe to Miró. The goal wasn’t to copy them but to understand their choices. I would break down a piece I liked and ask, what mediums were used? Why oil stick instead of acrylic? How did drying time affect texture? How were lines and forms constructed?
Experimenting with these techniques was slow and sometimes frustrating. It required patience and precision. There were moments when I questioned whether to continue, moments when I felt lost or unsure. But in the process of exploring, studying, and testing materials, I began to understand not only my own artistic style but also how I wanted to approach my practice and creative life.
These moments of reflection, of feeling a bit lost but still moving forward, are a critical part of my journey. They show that exploration, patience, and observation are just as important as inspiration. This period taught me that creating art isn’t just about the final piece. It’s about understanding your tools, your process, and ultimately yourself.