For my piece in The Bearden Project, I was influenced by Romare Bearden’s use of symbols and repeated motifs. I was inspired by his use of color and figurative silhouettes in pieces such as Cattle of the Sun God (1979), Odysseus Leaves (1979) and Siren’s Song (1977). I was also influenced by his way of seamlessly merging contrasting imagery.

Bearden drew from so many diverse sources and influences. His work is intensely multilayered, and I admire its ability to offer insight into the African-American experience while speaking to universal concerns of people everywhere.

I also draw from many different sources, covering a vast terrain within each piece, so my paintings inherently have a collage affect. However, until The Bearden Project I had never created an actual paper collage, so I'm not only grateful to have the opportunity to honor to Bearden, but also thankful that I have been motivated to explore new territory and have been unexpectedly catapulted in a new exciting direction.

Artist Audio Statement