u/unequivocallysam

I had the honor of working with a Swahili carver to make this vision a reality ☺️

And look, I painted the edges. Titled this piece, the feminine urge 🫶

Acrylic on watercolor paper

Acrylic on watercolor paper

I’m back again and I thought I’d share my artworks 🤗

Though this painting was featured on Times Square almost a year ago, I’m honestly still in disbelief that it happened, so let me tell you a little about this print, Inspired by the vibrant city, the painting is titled Nairobi, for
she wears the different colours of the eye of Kenya which change at night. She carries the skyline of the city on her lashes, and she represents the balance between nature and development. I painted her hair to look like my little sisters so that when she looks at the canvas she can be proud. Let me know if you’d like a print of this artwork, it comes in different sizes ☺️

The painting is now in its final form from sketch to completion the Governor wears new clothes (aka the hand carved Swahili frame) here are some process photos of its creation.
While painting this within a short time span, I lost my uncle, injured my back and celebrated my birthday and through it all I kept thinking of the theme of this work, Self-governance and the ability to hold space for emotions while stewarding your internal landscape.
It's funny how as humans, one moment we experience the depths of grief and the next, your sharing laughter over the shared struggle and how at one moment, we are calm and the next, we are at war with ourselves, the Trojan horses we once let in wreaking havoc on our lands... I forget my point but check out the painting and let me know what you think and if you want it in your home, let's chat ☺️

The painting is now in its final form from sketch to completion the Governor wears new clothes (aka the Swahili frame) here are some process photos of its creation.
While painting this within a short time span, I lost my uncle, injured my back and celebrated my birthday and through it all I kept thinking of the theme of this work, Self-governance and the ability to hold space for emotions while stewarding your internal landscape.
It's funny how as humans, one moment we experience the depths of grief and the next, your sharing laughter over the shared struggle and how at one moment, we are calm and the next, we are at war with ourselves, the Trojan horses we once let in wreaking havoc on our lands... I forget my point but check out the painting and let me know what you think ☺️

The painting is now in its final form from sketch to completion the Governor wears new clothes (aka the Swahili frame) here are some process photos of its creation.
While painting this within a short time span, I lost my uncle, injured my back and celebrated my birthday and through it all I kept thinking of the theme of this work, Self-governance and the ability to hold space for emotions while stewarding your internal landscape.
It's funny how as humans, one moment we experience the depths of grief and the next, your sharing laughter over the shared struggle and how at one moment, we are calm and the next, we are at war with ourselves, the Trojan horses we once let in wreaking havoc on our lands... I forget my point but check out the painting and let me know what you think ☺️

The painting is now in its final form from sketch to completion the Governor wears new clothes (aka the Swahili frame) here are some process photos of its creation.
While painting this within a short time span, I lost my uncle, injured my back and celebrated my birthday and through it all I kept thinking of the theme of this work, Self-governance and the ability to hold space for emotions while stewarding your internal landscape.
It’s funny how as humans, one moment we experience the depths of grief and the next, your sharing laughter over the shared struggle and how at one moment, we are calm and the next, we are at war with ourselves, the Trojan horses we once let in wreaking havoc on our lands… I forget my point but check out the painting and let me know what you think and if you want it in your home, let’s chat ☺️

Grateful to the lovely artisans who hand carved every detail on this frame, I couldn’t have imagined a better frame for this work blending both traditional practices and modern art ☺️

This painting speaks to the intimate bond of family,
especially through the experience of hair care. Growing up as a Black girl, letting someone close to you touch and care for your hair, whether it’s taking down braids, oiling your scalp, or simply maintaining your style, was a deeply personal, trust-filled act. This is a painting that expresses open body language, an invitation displaying trust. You can touch my hair…

The title says it all 🙈

The title says it all 🙈

The title says it all 🙈

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone for making this a safe space to share my art 🫶 and much love to everyone 🤗

Here’s a the video of the painting to get the full effect, as much as there’s photos, this was the kind of artwork that couldn’t be shared in one format alone ☺️

A little about the painting in case you missed it in my previous post, it’s a painting about the intertwining of African culture and Western influence. There are two sides to every story, the front, where you can see, and the back, a side often unseen but one that offers a new perspective...things are not as they seem.
Under black light, the painting reveals a hidden layer, faith based values, the driving force behind my work

Sharing these two pieces that were inspired by my culture. It's a painting about the intertwining of African culture and Western influence. There are two sides to every story, the front, where you can see, and the back, a side often unseen but one that offers a new perspective...things are not as they seem.
Under black light, the painting reveals a hidden layer, faith based values, the driving force behind my work 🤗

Sharing these two pieces that were inspired by my culture. It's a painting about the intertwining of African culture and Western influence. There are two sides to every story, the front, where you can see, and the back, a side often unseen but one that offers a new perspective...things are not as they seem.
Under black light, the painting reveals a hidden layer, faith based values, the driving force behind my work 🤗

What do you see?