Artist Statement

Art Show

Coming in February 2025

I had a conversation with a very nice man that said something that was very upsetting to me. It was shocking that he didn’t understand how racist it sounded. He said, “God made everyone beautiful in their own way. They just don’t look like us Americans.” Us Americans… How could he not see how this would make me feel. By his standards of what “Us Americans” means, a large portion of my family would not be considered American. I didn’t respond to him at the time, because I knew I would speak in anger. I am a white woman married to an African American Man. My sisters are married to Cuban Americans and have children that are half Cuban. My half Cuban nephew is engaged to a woman that is half Mexican American and half Chinese American. My Niece has two adopted African American children. My cousin (and good friend) has three half Mexican American Children. Her daughter has children that are a quarter white, half African American and a quarter Mexican American. These two children have a sister that is blond haired and blue eyed. I know I have over simplified this. If they took DNA tests, who knows how it would turn out, but I think you get my point. I have half Mexican American cousins and I could keep going, but I think you understand. I know I can’t be the only person with a beautiful family that is so diverse. I know that the face of America is changing. It is just taking some people time to catch up to what “Americans” look like. I am responding with an art show, “US Americans.” I plan on painting portraits of my family in a playful, colorful style inspired by street art, that is up close and personal like selfies.. I am also including an art installation created of selfies. Your selfies, if you don’t mind sharing.