The content within my paintings is mostly derived from my personal and cultural experiences as an African American man. Growing up in a rough inner city environment with a single parent had much influence on my ambition to become an artist. As a child, making art was my escape from the realities of drugs and violence in my neighborhood. As an artist, I feel the importance to create a platform within a space that is considered upper class, for things that are recognized as lower class. Painting is my vehicle of choice because of its rich history in western civilization. By displaying my work, I am forcing the public to be confronted by what society has been turning away from. Promoting minority as majority, I hope to level the playing field in our society as well as the art world.

Curriculum Vitae

EDUCATION                                                                                                       SELECT  GRANTS + AWARDS

2015 Applied Arts, Visual Arts                                                                         Honorable Mention, Drawing
John Tyler Community College                                                                      Carytown Art Walk, Richmond VA                

2018 BFA Painting + Printmaking                                                                    2017 Andrew West Award
Virginia Commonwealth University                                                              
                                                                                                                           2016 Maurice Bonds Award
EXHIBITIONS
                                                                                                                           2nd Place, Painting
2020 What I Like About Clay...                                                                        The National Arts Program, Richmond VA
ART 180 - Atlas Gallery, Richmond VA
                                                                                                                           Scholarship Award
2018 Fifty Shades Of Gatorade                                                                      The National Arts Program, Richmond VA
Stuart Siegel Center, Richmond VA
                                                                                                                           Silver Key Award, Drawing
2018 Some Claims: VCUarts Merit Studio                                                       Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Richmond VA
FAB Gallery, Richmond VA

2018 Business Casual: VCUarts Painting & Printmaking Senior Show
Main Street Station, Richmond VA
https://go.arts.vcu.edu/paintingprintmaking/2018/04/05/painting-printmaking-senior-show-business-casual/

2018 Mayor's Office Show (Solo Exhibition)
City Hall, Richmond VA

2017 National Arts Program Exhibition
Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, Richmond VA
https://www.nationalartsprogram.org/news/newsletters/snapshot-october-2017
 
2016 Text Me
Virginia Commonwealth University- Depot Gallery, Richmond VA
https://richmond.com/entertainment/art/art-gallery-the-depot-gallery-at-vcu-showing-text-me/article_163b0e47-5a6f-5454-8b09-9df7fa22813c.html

2015 John Tyler Community College Juried Student Art Show
John Tyler Community College -Eliades Hall, Chester VA
https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntylercc/sets/72157649658306283/
 
2015 Bicycle Stories
Artspace, Richmond VA
http://www.artspacegallery.org/2015/outreach/bicycle_stories/
 
2015 Struggle (Solo Exhibition)
Plant Zero, Richmond VA

INTERVIEWS
 
The Abstract Athlete Podcast
Season 2 Episode 9
https://open.spotify.com/show/421z9nadHtBWcz6uX8rr3t?si=OOgd9jZKR1i41SWhPwUNfg
 
Subterracon Films
Jaraz Documentary
https://www.subterracon.com/jaraz
 
 
TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Central Adult Day Health Care, 6201 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225

Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, 3701 R St, Richmond, VA 23223

Art 180, Program leader, 114 W Marshall St, Richmond, VA 23220

Richmond Juvenile Detention, 1700 Oliver Hill Way, Richmond, VA 23219

Bon Air Juvenile Correctional, 1900 Chatsworth Ave, Bon Air, VA 23235

Armstrong High School, 2300 Cool Ln, Richmond, VA 23223

Thomas C Boushall Middle School, 3400 Hopkins Rd, Richmond, VA 23234

Lucille M. Brown Middle School, 6300 Jahnke Rd, Richmond, VA 23225

Lakewood Retirement Community, 1900 Lauderdale Dr, Richmond, VA 23238