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Choices"White matboard, charcoal, red acrylic paint, led lights, plastic gloves, condom, medicine holder.
This series of pieces were an assignment in figure drawing class as our final project. This was my first time working with lights.
However, all of these paintings were inspired by an encounter that I had with a beautiful spirit, Devondia Roseboro, founder of the Rasberirose Foundation. She was kind enough to help me out on a project in one of my Women's Studies classes. The topic was Women of Color and Health Care. I wanted to focus on the issue of HIV/AIDS epidemic plaquing women of color and she was kind enough to allow me to interview her, as she is affected by the virus personally. I was astounded by the light that eminated from her spirit to mine. During our interview, I found that she and I had a lot in common. The most important that we were the same age, black women and single mothers. As I listened to her story I could not help but to think how easily our lives could have been reversed. It could have easily been her interviewing me on the subject of living with HIV. I met her beautiful girls. A reflection of my own. And, I was all too proud to have her speak to my class as I handed out bags of information on prevention and awareness. You do not have to imagine the impact her presentation left on the young women and men in the class. However, her impression stayed with me and her message resonated in my soul. Since then I have made HIV/AIDS awareness a part of my message in my art. I make sure I am tested regularly.
As I researched for my project, I read about how the women of Africa are dying at an alarming rate by the virus. Due to economic conditions and civil unrest in some areas women are being raped and forced to sell their bodies just to feed themselves and thier families. This affected me deeply so I try to make sure I am conscious about the decisions I make with my body and strengthen my relationship with the Gift Of the Divine (GOD). As an artist and a student of black feminst thought this is part my purpose to share and educate. Right now, Devondia is dedicating her life to speaking out against ignorance and enlightening the public about this disease and how it is affecting our community. I would like to thank her for what she is doing and thank her for inspiring me to reach deeper as an artist.
response sent from author and motivational speaker Devondia Roseborough:
"The piece you inspired to do based on my life before HIV after AIDS has been prayed upon and the title to the piece is something we all are born with and many tend to not make sound decisions when in the heat of the moment...So I say to you thank you and for this gift that was giving to me in the form of healing...The name I present to you is CHOICES, Make choices on how not get HIV instead of the ultimate Choice, It felt so good I forgot the condom! Thanks girl for your patience." 
"Their Eyes Don't See"acrylic and sand on wood panel
"Standing Between Life and Death"acrylic and sand on wood panel
"Sophie"Acrylic on canvas
