I was born and grew up in the small Southern town of Rome, Georgia. Beating rhythms and shadow puppets on window shades at night from Holy Rollers who lived across the street was the ART I knew and the link to the art I do today. William Faulkner said the only thing worth writing about is the heart in conflict with itself. My father’s pawnshop, my mother’s garden, the black women who raised me and the prejudices of a closed society is the stuff of which my art is made. 

The events of 9/11 stopped me cold. I curated an exhibition at the Radcliffe Institute, proceeds of sales or the works to go to the 9/11 Scholarship Fund. The series titled Mending, began by tearing and sewing paper with embroidery thread before adding paint. Since then, many varied series have been produced; and shown in many additional venues.

I try to demonstrate in paint the processes from which creativity springs: that high art can come from anywhere, have lowly beginnings. I want the privilege of sharing the pain and joy with those who already know and profess to those who do not yet know that the core of creative work comes from one's earliest experiences.

I have had a long career that has taken many turns. Even in our technological age, I still feel painting and that which transcends the visible holds a basic place in our human existence.