Black bodies and faces embody many deep emotions in the routine struggle in life. As an observer, when you watch daily life, you can clearly feel these emotions. The images I paint of the human body act as a bridge for me, a way to express to others what I feel from the people I see in daily life. I begin my process by going out to the streets of New Orleans with my sketchbook in hand and taking in my surroundings. I aim to capture the spirit of Black life in the lively streets, cafes, bars, and other performance areas that make up the heart of the city. I then take these sketches back to my studio and use them in subsequent paintings.