Iris 🌸

more life 26 🌴☀️

if u need me, you can find me in the flowers

BTS of my newest piece, “Lean On Me”. Last minute decided to change the color of her glasses. But let that be proof that sometimes, change can yield better results 🫶🏽 #irissimmons #leanonme #blackart #love

“Lean On Me” 25x20 c. 2025 It’s important to have a partner to rely on when life gets tough. After working long days, paying bills, cleaning up, and tending to the struggles of life. Someone to pick up the 80%, when you’re only at 20%, and vice versa. We all need someone to lean on 🫶🏽 #leanonme #love #relyonme #irissimmons

Black Boy Joy 30x40 c. 2025 #irissimmons #blackboyjoy

adding another candle to the cake 🎂

25 🖤

“Sittin’ Up In My Room” c. 2023 24x30 With black history month coming to an end, I wanted to take the time to highlight a couple of black female artists who heavily inspired me to make this piece. The painting pictured on the left pays homage to Alma Thomas’ piece, titled “Snoopy Sees a Sunrise” c. 1970. Her unique patterns and diligent hands created beautiful patterns that entertain the eye. She sought to unite mankind through beauty, joy, love, and peace. The next painting pictured on the right pays homage to Esther Mahlangu’s piece, “Untitled (Ndebele Abstract)” c. 2017. Esther is known for using chicken feathers to create Ndebele designs on canvas, walls, sneakers, bikes, motorcycles, cars, and so many more. Her artwork is inspired by her traditional Ndebele culture, and many experts believe that important Pan African Contemporary collections would not be completed without one of her works. And my final inspiration is from Brandy’s song “Sittin’ Up In My Room”, made in 1995. I wanted to capture the essence of girlhood in this painting, sittin up in ya room, talking on the phone with your girls, painting your nails, and getting to care for yourself. And as people, we all deserve a feeling like this. #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory #influentialwomen #blackwomen #esthermahlangu #almathomas #brandynorwood #tonimorrison #mayaangelou #alicewalker #selfcare #sittinupinmyroom #irissimmons

Working on a piece that’s old to me, but new to you! I started this piece back in 2023, but something about it didn’t look right to me! After several months of the canvas and I just blankly staring at each other I knew what it was!! My shadows and highlights were in the wrong spot 🤦🏽‍♀️ rookie mistake. After I corrected the piece, I FINALLY started to fall in love with it! All that to be said, don’t be afraid to make mess up. Don’t be afraid to really take your time on a piece. There is no time limit on art. And most of all, don’t be afraid to fix your happy little accidents!! Stay tuned to see the finished product and the amazing write up that will come along with it. Thanks for watching 🩷 #irissimmons #sittingupinmyroom #sittingupinmyroomlikebrandy #brandy #blackart #tonimorrison #alicewalker #mayaangelou #esthermahlangu #almathomas #girlhood

summer on my mind 🩵

“Mimi” c. 2023 24x36 My grandmother, Laura Ann, is one of the most amazing people on this earth. And that’s an understatement. She has dedicated her whole entire life caring for her patients as a nurse. Extremely tiring work, where the hospitals are typically understaffed. To this day, she still dedicates her time and love into those patients. Picking up shifts, doing the heavy and hard work that the other nurses may not want to do. Yet, she does it effortlessly. After a long hard day at work, you can still see the way God shines through her. She selflessly would give her last to a stranger. Greeting everyone with a Southern hospitable smile and a warm “Hello, baby. How you doin’?”. We got a lot of fond memories together, one of my favorites being a time where we sang Anthony Hamilton’s “Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens” in the backseat together while road tripping to Louisiana. She is the true definition of unconditional love. She is my hero. I love you so much Mimi 🩷 And as she would say, “be blessed” Love, Mimi’s baby #irissimmons #mimisbaby #mimi #grandmotherslove #nurse #southernhospitality #louisiana #nola #blackart #blackartcollectors

“Light of the world” c. 2024 11x14 You are the light of the world. A town built upon a hill cannot be hidden. We don’t light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, we put the lamp on its own stand, and it provides light to others in the room. In the same way, let your own light shine, because you are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14-16 🔴 Sold #irissimmons #bethelight #lightoftheworld