From Sailor Moon to Fine Art: My Journey as an Artist

I can still remember being eleven years old, sitting with a sketchpad and trying to capture the big eyes and bold personalities of my favorite characters, Sailor Moon and Daria. Back then, it was just pure joy, a way to bring the characters I loved into my own world.

By middle school, sketching had become my thing. Between classes, during lunch, or late at night, I was always drawing, friends, cartoons, whatever inspired me. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was how I processed the world around me.

In my senior year of high school, I took the leap into Advanced Placement Art. It was the first time I truly saw my work being critiqued and developed in a more formal, academic setting. That experience taught me discipline, how to push through creative blocks, and how to turn a simple idea into a complete, thoughtful piece.

After graduation, I attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as a double major in Art and Education. I wanted to merge creativity with the power to inspire others, and college opened up new mediums, techniques, and ways of thinking about art.

Like many artists, I took on odd jobs after school to pay down my student loans, painting on the side whenever I could. But my art never stopped calling me.

Ten years ago, when I moved back to New Jersey, I decided to take the leap and become a full-time artist. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying, but it’s been the most rewarding decision of my life. Today, my work celebrates Black culture, community, and everyday beauty, and I get to share that passion with collectors around the world.

From a middle school sketchbook filled with anime characters to oil paintings that honor cultural traditions, my journey has been anything but linear, but it’s been mine. And it’s only just getting started.