my other
half
SCARS
how beauty
blossoms
the shape
of worship
to come
the
LIGHT
Exploring mental health and spiritual healing in an abstract showcase of process called My Other Half. Originally, this was not intended for public release due to the personal connection I have with it; however, there is a story worth telling.
As this is an analog and digital hybrid piece, the visuals detail the turbulence of mental and/or emotional transformation through literal and physical, as well as artistic, processes. The other half being the result and the present of a life journey.
Further developing my love and skills for digital painting, How Beauty Blossoms is a further focus on black representation and wholeness through the art of being. Stillness and existence itself are an art piece to behold. The coming of age of blackness and beauty for women who is becoming, not conforming.
With the understanding of beauty and moments in time, that time came with my growing interest in worship photography and content at various local churches and worship events. Much of that content, the motion, the posture, the raw body language of praise and worship, and what was becoming.
The Shape of Worship to Come. Title inspired by Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come, emphasizes worship and music in a more abstract yet still recognizable form of a person, passionate about their faith. Using colors, gradients, and overlaps to make the illustration stand out, in the landscape of church flyer design that is dominated by pictures and solid colors. This illustration went on to promote Temple Salem’s 2022 Music Day
What is strength if not standing in the face of adversity and reclaiming power from your enemy?
Scars answers that question in the new series as we explore the power of taking back what was indigenous to Black people, to know and fully realize ourselves outside of the global White supremacist framework. Liberation isn’t given through legislation, policy, or peaceful protest, but taken through revolution.
Awaken, Black Butterfly! is a multi-media piece. Working off the conceptual foundation, I have applied my collective artistic knowledge and expanded upon such to connect each piece to each other and the targeted audience as well. At the end of the day, the overall series in its entirety is about becoming and loving the best version of yourself and even envisioning yourself beyond your best version.
Awakening
black
butterfly!
Featured on WBUR’s local coverage of 12 Exhibits You Should See This Black History Month, with The Light being the face of Black History Matters 365: Now and Forever. This piece is inspired by a music video, as well as the song itself, called “The Light” by hip-hop artist Big Sean, featuring Jeremiah. The light represents the progression, intelligence, and the strengthening of Black people.
This is something that cannot be taken away because it is in every single one of them, and throughout Black history, they shine that light to the world. This marks a pivotal turning point for my art, as it is the first public digital work I have created and presented.
Cahel Saintil's “The Light” (Courtesy Lesley College of Art and Design)