Why I'm Changing My Style and Why You Should Too
Love is Kind , Oil On Canvas 2023
Rooftop Vibes, Digital Illustration 2024
Why I’m Changing My Style :
I’m in a season of change—a season where I’m only doing what makes me happy. As an artist, my journey started with creating custom art for clients and expanded to exhibiting in galleries around Indianapolis. But if I’m honest, it’s always been a bit of a struggle. Stressful, even. I learned art by watching videos about traditional oil painting, and in my mind, “realistic” art was synonymous with “good” art, no matter how draining it felt.
After completing my last series, I Love You - A Celebration of Black Love, I had a huge realization: My art process was no longer fun. I was so focused on making my work look realistic that I forgot to enjoy the process. That’s when I decided to take a step back from the fine art world, including gallery and museum shows, and reassess what truly brings me joy.
It turns out that exhibiting my art in prestigious spaces isn’t enough to satisfy me anymore. My whole brand is about freedom—freedom of self, freedom of expression—so why was I feeling so boxed in? Then I stumbled upon Finding Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon, and it was a game-changer (if you haven’t read it yet, here’s the link to buy it on Amazon).
This book pushed me to ask myself some tough questions: What do I really want to do? Who am I as a person? What legacy do I want to leave through my art? The answers led me to give myself permission to change my style, and that change is only adding to who I am as an artist.
I realized that my realistic art was just one side of me—the more serious side (let’s be honest, lol). Artists like Picasso, Faith Ringgold, and Wassily Kandinsky have all dabbled in various styles, so why couldn’t I? Sure, I’ll always have my traditional tools and colors like burnt umber, raw sienna, and sap green, but now I’m exploring new territories. I’m playing with abstract shapes, vibrant colors, and even digital art using my iPad, which I’m absolutely obsessed with! I’m making art that allows me to truly express myself and actually have fun.
Why You Should Too:
Transitioning to a new style doesn’t mean I’m losing the skills I’ve developed; it’s actually making me a more versatile artist. Yes, some people might be surprised or even upset by this change. It might close some doors in the gallery or museum world, but honestly, I don’t care (hehe). Art is my career, and I need it to be something I love. Anything that causes me stress, I’ll stop, but I never want to stop making art. So, I’m making it fun again.
So, if you’re feeling stuck or uninspired in your own work, maybe it’s time for a change. Trust me, embracing a new style doesn’t mean you’re losing who you are—it just means you’re growing into the artist you’re meant to be.
I’m thrilled to share this new chapter of my artistic journey with you! If you’re curious about my new style, you can explore and shop for fresh art and products on my site's store. You can still expect the same themes of faith, nature, and womanhood—beautiful things inside and out—just expressed in a different style. I hope you’ll join me in embracing this change and finding joy in the process!
