Dance is the perfect blend of all the creative fields, combining music, writing and the visual arts
together to create a powerful form of expression. I didn’t always have this appreciation for dance; it was taught to me by my high-school sweet heart- who majored in classical dance and vocal music. One moment she and I would be walking and conversing, about something that ‘she thought’ was exciting, and all of a sudden she would start to twirl and leap into the air. I was fascinated how mere words and ideas could cause someone to exert such energy and jump into action. It taught me that dance was truly a powerful form of self- expression.
          Breaking barriers in the ballet arena, Misty Copeland is truly an icon for young black women,
wishing to make it into the spotlight. Her story started out rough, but through hard work and
determination she achieved what many in her demographic could not. Not only did her skin color
provide her with its own challenges, but her ‘body type’, was seen as too athletic, causing self -
doubt. As the first African American Female Dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the second
African American Female Dancer in American history to earn the title “Soloist”, she has truly overcome many obstacles, ultimately leading me to choose her as my subject.
          The piece displays a stunning forward -bend, that would undoubtedly send most people to the
hospital. She stands en pointe, effortlessly placing the palms of her hands firmly onto the ground. The
contour of her body is breathtaking – the viewer hardly being able to imagine any human being able to contort the body in such a difficult position.

“Element of Water”

48” x 60”

Oil on Canvas

          The image depicts the world famous, singer- song writer, actress, activist and philanthropist Erykah Badu, in stunning beauty. The soulful singer has contributed a great deal to the music industry; often called the “Godmother of Soul”, her accolades are too long to list. A true performing artist, she started singing and dancing at a very young age. After accomplishing many feats in the music industry, she later geared her focus on helping the community that she grew up in by renovating the dilapidated Black Forest Theater in downtown Dallas to host charity events and theater projects. She also used the space to operate her non-profit organization B.L.I.N.D. (Beautiful Love Incorperated Nonprofit Development), which served as a place to make change in the inner city by fostering culture and the arts.

          I wanted every aspect of this piece to stand on its own, from the foreground to the backdrop. If the subject wasn’t in the picture, it would still make for an interesting piece. Caught in a dreamlike world, her gaze locks with the viewer captivating them. The intricate patterns on her face are almost tribal in nature, her audience can’t help but to be intrigued. The celestial bodies in the background create a sense of timelessness, that only she can experience- she is one with the environment around her.

“Banner of Hope”

48” x 60”

Oil on Canvas