I’ve been asked a few times recently “Why did you quit makeup?”
I don’t think I quit. Quitting suggests that I made a choice. I believe I just continued to grow and this is where I am now. You wouldn’t ask a butterfly why it quit being a caterpillar. In fact we often wait in anticipation for it. It’s written in my DNA to do the thing, to become. That’s life’s process.
We are pleased to announce our
February 2026 Artist in Residence.
@_leonwillis@_leonwillis
Now on display through February, as we celebrate Black History month, dynamic Black artist and Black Creatives.
On Display
RON DAVID STUDIO + CAFE
1270 5th St NE DC
@unionmarketdc
Another year, an opportunity to find more answers, help more, grow more, be more curious. Make and experience amazing things and times… I’m truly grateful to see another birthday and fill another chapter. 39
“I’m learning to fly, to levitate myself. No one is teaching me. I’m just learning on my own, little by little, dream lesson by dream lesson. Not a very subtle image, but a persistent one.
- Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler
Grateful and overwhelmed by all the love and support!
Thank you @ashlib1@aeva_unfiltered@patricebravestrong for being such incredible host
Thank you @thedcpopup for allowing me to utilize your great space
And thank you to everyone who stopped by to help make an amazing night.
The work is doing what it’s supposed to do when it’s bringing great people together.
Just to help with directions to the entrance of the exhibition. (For reference I’m standing on the Georgia Ave side)
See you all tonight!
6:30pm - 8:30pm
1155 Dahlia St NW
Washington DC 20012
“Know That You Are Loved” 2026
I got a message awhile back from my sister. She said made a request. “Can you paint us smiling sometime?” I told her I will definitely consider it. The thing is I don’t really decide what comes out on the canvas. Not in a conscious choice kind of way. I paint what feels right at the time, what resonates with me. I’ve never just decide thing, paint thing. It wouldn’t turn out right but the last couple days I’ve been seeing this smile so finally I captured it.
I titled it “Know That You Are Loved”. While I say I paint black presence those presences come in the form of black women so how they feel about how I portray them is important to me. And consideration in this way is a form of love to me. I paint what I love and a place a certain level of care in what I’m doing.
