
Art is Life. Life is an Art. I grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming which holds one of the largest rodeo events in the country each summer. When I was a kid I treasured going to the powwow's held by the Lakota Plains Nation. I loved watching the women's hide dresses sway as they danced gracefully. The adornment of the powwow costumes totally fascinated me. I now realize the impact the powwows have had on my work through the years. The beading, the jewelry, the feathers, and cowrie shells are very prominent features in my work as an artist. I primarily work as a mixed media artist. My passion for exploring issues particularly in the Black community has led me to create series of works that are evocative and engaging. I aspire to leave a legacy of challenging and thought provoking work that will entice the viewer and inspire younger artists.
Current Series: It is the not knowing that burns my soul: The Odyssey of Miss Emma Jean. The Odyssey of Miss Emma Jean is an artistic exploration of the life of my paternal Great Grandmother Emma Jean Henderson Coleman Hurt Mathis. This body of work explores the identity of a bi-racial Native American woman, who in her lifetime, marries three African American men, and lives in the Jim Crow state of Alabama. These works examine what I know about Emma Jean and emphasizes what I do not know. It is the not knowing that has triggered my creativity. It is the not knowing that burns my soul. This is the story of Miss Emma Jean. This is the story of my identity. |