Ayana Mack

I am spending more time this season sharing the WHY behind the artwork I create and, what this means in the community I am from and the communities I contribute to across Boston. The vibrant portraits I paint of Black people celebrate and bring to light stories centered around vulnerability, love, authenticity, and healing.  The time I spend painting, drawing, teaching, and creating is healing. It has pulled me out of the most challenging spaces and reminded me of my light and power, which is why my process is personal and intentional. I have spent over ten years in many creative roles, including leading marketing teams, creating public art, brand development, teaching artists, and more. All of these experiences have led me to this point. I’m so excited to share what I have learned over the years and push forward using artwork as a tool to create change in communities of color.  Interested in seeing my lastest body of work: Ode to Relationships. It is on view at the @multiculturalac until August 16th! A huge thank you to @faba.boston team for directing, creating, producing and making this project happen!! 🎉 #amackdesign #fababoston #bostonarts #blackartist #artandhealing #storytelling #blkcreatives

Excited to share I’ve been working on my first large-scale mural at @mothercarolineacademy ❤️ This piece is a true labor of love, filled with vibrant colors and meaningful symbols that reflect the spirit of this amazing community. Connecting with the students, teachers, and staff has made this experience so much more special! Grateful to have the opportunity to create something that brightens this space and will hopefully inspire everyone who sees it. Stay tuned for the final reveal 💛✨ Beautiful visuals from @g.ortizphotography 🔥

One morning I jumped out of bed to catch the sunrise. My absolute favorite view - I’ll stop everything to take it in. I found a beautiful reference image. Features that shine and a gaze you can’t ignore. 🧡 This shot of the sunrise inspired me for hours. Mixing colors I saw, making a mess and figuring out new ways I can add these colors into my work. Taking a moment to enjoy and appreciate what comes out of the unplanned studio sessions.

As we move into a new month & season, finding moments to slow down, create and care for ourselves is so necessary! The Renew: Floral & Painting workshop @bostonflowerco gave everyone the space to pour into themselves in a creative way. We learned new ways to care for flowers and take our talents to the canvas 😉 I love instructing and watching people try something new, it’s not the easiest - so I appreciate the effort and positive energy!! If you missed this session I’ll be back in June. Sign up for my mailing list for event and studio updates 💌

One week out from Renew - a Sunday experience to bring you back to yourself through flowers, color, and creativity. 💛 If this has been on your mind, this is your invitation. 🎟 Tickets in bio

Join us for an intimate Sunday experience at @bostonflowerco designed to help you slow down, create, and reconnect. 💐 We’ll begin with the art of floral design, building delicate bud vase arrangements with seasonal stems, led by the Boston Flower Co. team. From there, I’ll guide you through a painting session where we’ll explore color, a few of my personal techniques, and the story behind my work. Centered around the theme Renew: to restore, transform, and reconnect with inner strength, this experience invites you into a space of pause, reflection, and creative expression. No experience needed! Just come as you are. You’ll leave with:
 • A hand-crafted bud vase arrangement
 • A completed painting
 • New creative tools + a moment of renewal 📍 Boston Flower Co.
 🗓 Sunday, April 26th | 1–3PM 🎟 Get Tickets in bio

You really just have to do what feels good. Create the space, moments, and experience you need to relax and unwind. Once I started thinking less about making a perfectly finished piece and started exploring what feels really good, the work began to FLOW. Some mornings I read a page out of “Breath as Prayer” and get right into it. Other days start out with an album that sets the tone for my workday. Music and beautiful flowers are such a big part of my process - put on any of the albums shared, and you get the best version of me. All of the work I create holds a story, a memory, a moment in time that was - and still is so special to me. Symbols and meanings in all of it. 💐

I love painting portraits. Especially portraits of Black women. They invite you in. Full of color, personality, and stories that dig deep. Creating is healing for me. It’s one of the only spaces where I can truly disconnect from everything and show up fully. Every series and piece holds a story. 🌹 These past couple of weeks have placed me in some beautiful rooms! Joining a panel with @madeincubator , an artist talk about “A Different Form” created for @utile_design , and most recently leading a creative workshop with a room full of girls from @loveyourmagicbos at @sidepresents annual Minnie E. event! If you’re attending the WEBOS Summit tomorrow (@bostonwomen ), I’ll have a small collection of prints, postcards, and stickers available.  And if a portrait speaks to you, you can explore more in my shop: original paintings, prints, and notebooks available on my site. #amackdesign #womenshistorymonth♀️#blackart #portraits

Back in 2023, I became a full-time artist. It wasn’t planned out or really expected (a longer story for another time). A week after, @sidepresents honors me & a handful of amazing women with flowers - and the rest is history. A true love story 🌹 That season held a lot of uncertainty, and at every step, I was met with wonderful people, spaces and opportunities that remind me of why I do this creative work - and to keep going. It’s been so inspiring watching them grow organically and honestly over the years! They’ve partnered, built relationships and more importantly continue to bring SO many women together across industries to be their full selves. Now, giving back to the young ladies of @loveyourmagicbos which has been fulfilling to facilitate the art-making session.  Ahead of Estrogina Day I’m going through photos and so proud of their work. Reminded of what natural growth, consistency, care and hard work produce. Ready to celebrate another one!! ❤️💐

Join me tomorrow for a conversation about the work! Learn more about my creative process, WHY I do this, and the power of celebrating Black people and women through portraits. Over the last few years my practice has shifted in beautiful ways. From collaborative projects to my own studio work - it’s a been a journey! As the featured artist for Black History Month @utile_design I created a new piece “A Different Form” that is connected directly to who I am and my lineage. Swipe through for process highlights ✨ I hope to see you there! The Cloud at Utile, 125 Kingston St., Boston, MA 02111. #amackdesign #bostonartist #blackportraitures 🌹

MinniE is back for year two 💎✌🏾✌🏽 
In partnership with @loveyourmagicbos , we’re pouring into our Diamonds in the Making with intention, creativity, and the kind of care that keeps us pushing forward. Returning this year is Ayana Mack @ayanamack.co with The Constellation Studio, our beloved art making session, and we are excited to welcome Katrina Rojas @imkatrinarojas as a new addition, leading Shining My Light, a guided journaling experience for our girls to see themselves clearly and boldly. This experience was made possible through our partnership with the City of Boston Women’s Advancement Cabinet @bostonwomen and the Boston Public Health Commission @healthyboston , and we are deeply grateful for their support in helping us hold space for our youngest gems. 💎💎💎💎💎 This is a closed experience and pre registration is required. Link in bio 🔗

We’re honored to welcome @GBHNews as the Official Public Media Partner for Rooted & Rising 🖤✨ Having GBH join us strengthens our mission to amplify cultural storytelling, creative voices, and community dialogue in Boston. Rooted & Rising is about legacy, artistry, and collective growth — and partnering with an institution that uplifts meaningful narratives makes this gathering even more powerful. With GBH’s commitment to journalism, culture, and community impact, this collaboration reflects exactly what this event stands for. We’re deeply grateful for the support and excited to rise together. 📍 Museum of African American History 📅 February 27 🎟 Register through the link in bio 📩 For sponsor or partnership inquiries, email or DM us. Public Media Partner: @gbhnews Host & Cultural Partner: @maahmuseum Community Partner: @artsemerson Beverage Partner: @ebnflowctr . . [Black History Month, Rooted and Rising, MadeINcubator, Living Art Boston, Events in Boston, Art and Culture, Community Building] . . #RootedAndRising #GBHNews #BlackHistoryMonth #CreativeCommunity #BostonEvents CommunityImpact MadeINcubator