A native Phoenician and a full-time, self taught artist, Aaron, began honing his craft and exhibiting his work in various spaces. While mostly working with acrylics, acrylic pen, oil and spray paint, his approach to portrait and figurative painting, ranges from using collage style, vibrant, colorful hues while often adding geometric shapes and aspects of nature. This gives a sense of abstraction and surrealism. The purpose of his work is to convey his experiences, but also give viewers a sense of power and emotion. 

Follow on Instagram @aaronallen1313

Brianna Pippens is a Visual and Performing Artist based in Silver Spring, Maryland. Artistically known as Banana Peppers, she creates illustrations, paintings, drawings, and other mixed media works that focus on self exploration, self love, self care and celebrating Black culture and identity.

Brit Sigh is a self-taught African American Illustrator and graphic designer based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Known for his bright and bold colors, Brit often portrays black youth as strong Afrofuturistic heroes in his art. Brit’s work is available on commission through his website, britsigh.com.

Craig Carter / Craig C. The Artist was born in Houston, Texas in 1981. His works of art vary by using various mediums but predominantly in acrylics and inks. He uses bold line work and vibrant colors to show different emotions and expressions. His work has been shown nationally and internationally including HMAAC, and various galleries.

His work has been featured in various publications such as Taji Magazine and Kapabokone Magazine and others. He also has won international art awards including the Outstanding Artist Award in Segnalati, Rome.

Follow on Instagram @craigctheartist

Cornelius Annor (b. 1990, Accra, Ghana) paints portraits and figurative works that picture
moments of community and intimacy, set in domestic spaces. Annor’s subjects stem from memory and personal history in Ghana. With roots in personal memory and photography, the artist casts scenes of private life onto large-scale canvases. Annor’s paintings typically include arrangements of fabric, adding to the intimacy and evocativeness of the portraits.
His use of traditional Ghanaian textiles lends a textural quality to his work, which has
become characteristic of his artistic style. The backgrounds of the works often integrate similar patterns, establishing an atmosphere of layered memories, emotions, and experiences.

Annor has cited family history and photography as major sources of inspiration in his artistic practice, and his works often reference photographs from his family’s photo albums.

He describes his use of photography as way to “reenact… past memories which seem lost, absent, forgotten or unknown.” Layered with skeins of paint, bolts of fabric, and rigorous draughtsmanship, Annor’s paintings renovate these referents, merging history with the present. His works excavate a personal photographic vernacular, and telegraph the past through an intimate painterly vision.

Cornelius Annor was born in 1990 in Accra, Ghana. Annor studied at the Ghanatta College of Art and Design. His work has been featured in exhibitions in Accra, London, and New York. His work is held in the permanent collections of The Bunker Artspace, West Palm Beach, and Espacio Tacuari, Buenos Aires. In 2022, Annor’s work will be featured in “Contemporary African Portraiture,” curated by Florian Steininger, at Kunsthalle Krems. Annor lives and works in Ghana, where he established C.Annor studio, a space dedicated to encouraging and supporting young artists.

Dion J. Pollard, also known as the artist DionJa’Y, was born in Washington, D.C., into a life of poverty. He vividly recalls times when he and his brothers scavenged for leftovers in the Gino’s Chicken trash cans, as food was scarce at home. Dion often attended school with holes in his pants and shoes, which made him a target for teasing from his peers. However, the one thing that continued to inspire him was his artistic talent. DionJa’Y began drawing at the age of 7, but it wasn’t until he turned 13 that he truly honed his skills. One day, inspired by his brother's drawings from comic books, he decided to explore his own creativity.

DionJa’Y quickly excelled at drawing, transitioning from reproducing images to creating originals from his imagination with remarkable detail. Although he started with pencil, he soon explored various other mediums and discovered his passion for acrylic and oil paintings, pastels, as well as pencil and ink. He also dabbled in digital painting, using a digital stylus to express his artistry. DionJa’Y is captivated by the texture of oil and acrylic paint, the spontaneity of watercolors and inks, and the rawness of pencils and pastels. He eventually ventured into three-dimensional works that extend beyond the canvas.

DionJa’Y paints with the intention of inspiring those who experience his work. He seeks to bring positivity to the world through his art, portraying smiles in places of hurt and happiness amidst destruction. His ambition is to counter negativity with vibrant representations of joy and hope, which is reflected in his avoidance of themes like war and pain. Celebrating life and optimism, DionJa’Y's style varies, but consistently conveys his unique vision.

Domonique Brown is a Los Angeles - based artist that creates portraits that celebrate diversity. Her artwork is rendered in color palettes ranging from minimalist to vibrant with the purpose of featuring women and men of color who might not otherwise be portrayed or shown at your local museum or store, in the hopes others can see representation of their culture and identity and feel empowered.

Follow on Instagram @snoopdoggydom

Hanifa is an Indian American from New Jersey. She was a world traveler in the first few years of her life – from Saudi Arabia, to India, to Canada and finally to New Jersey when she was 10. Currently she's a UI UX designer by day and an illustrator by night. She's inspired by her love for fashion, color, culture, and strong women.

Follow On Instagram @colorofhoney

Ija Charles is a self-taught painter/entrepreneur from Columbia, South Carolina. Her series range from portraits of ordinary people to a diverse sampling of symbols from our day to day culture. These images are then reimagined and reconstructed in her own unique way. Ija plants an idea for each new work and harvests the positive vibes her very foundation is based upon in every piece once sealed with her signature. 

Follow on Instagram @ija_monet

Joseph Watson, also known by his signature “JOEE”, grew up in Gardena, CA. Throughout the years, Joseph had the opportunity to be influenced not only by great creative mentors, but also by the wonderful Los Angeles landscape where everyday life was unique and filled with excitement, danger, culture, and love. Joseph’s goal is to make the world a better place by using his art as a tool for inspiration.

Follow on Instagram @josephwatsonart

Kaitlin Edwards is a full time freelance illustrator and tattoo artist who graduated from the Art Academy of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Illustration in 2013.

She says ”I started drawing at an early age and was fueled to draw more with a Sailor Moon obsession. From there, my interests in color, healing, and art with magical girl themes seemed to grow. I love creating works centered around curly, coily, kinky hair with a focus on color therapy and healing imagery."

Follow on Instagram @kaitlin_june

A San Antonio based painter and illustrator, Kwanzaa Edwards has been honing her skills in figurative painting since 2014. Originally an abstract painter, Kwanzaa blended her abstract style with her experience in figurative illustration bringing about a unique marriage of her skills. 

Since earning her BFA in Painting from Lamar University in 2014, the meaning behind Kwanzaa’s work evolved as she entered the real working world. Mental health, self acceptance and black female empowerment have been consistent topics in her work. The fantasy aspects of her work draw in the viewer letting them see not what they are outside but what magical and powerful being resides within.

Follow on Instagram @empty_holiday

Lauren Younge is a St. Louis based artist who creates colorful abstracts with the intent of brightening people’s lives. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art Education in 2016 from Southeast Missouri State University. Lauren is drawn to abstract art because it allows her to express herself more freely. Her acquired sense of style incorporates bold colors, texture and movement. Art is her main outlet for for finding peace, and exploring thoughts and emotions. She loves creating in the moment. 

Follow on Instagram @laurenyoungeart

Laylie is a digital illustrator from Houston, Texas. She first began drawing when she was ten years old, and has been drawing ever since. She combines texture, color, and pattern to create warm and expressive portraits. She often pulls inspiration from nature, utilizing abstract plant, mountain, and sun motifs in her backgrounds. She has worked with Coca Cola, Disney Plus, and Ulta Beauty to create illustrated content for their social media feeds.

Follow on Instagram @ukelaylie

Lo’Vonia (LOW-VON-AH) Parks is an illustrator, caricaturist, and muralist based in Charlotte, NC. Surrounded by a creative family, Parks started drawing at age five and never stopped. Her work has been exhibited at the Mint Museum Uptown and Randolph, Flux Galleries, and Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art. She was crowned Best Visual Artist in the 2021 Best in the Nest Awards by the readers of Queen City Nerve.

Parks holds a BFA from Savannah College of Art and Design and learned live event caricature under professional artist Justin Galloway at Six Flags over Georgia. Her work draws on a clever blend of history and pop culture to tell thought-provoking and sometimes humorous stories. In 2019, Parks was selected for the META Mural Residency and completed her first mural.

Embracing her role as a public artist, she has made a significant impact through her murals found throughout various Charlotte neighborhoods, including South End, Uptown, and West Charlotte. In 2020, she assisted artist, Franklin Kearnes in painting the letter V in the Black Lives Matter Street Mural on Tryon Street. Her temporary public art installations have popped up at A Vibe Outside (2021), South End Blooms (2021), Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Charlotte (2021), and Charlotte Shout (2022).

Parks' art is characterized by its ability to infuse joy, whimsy, and truth, creating lasting memories for those who encounter her work. She finds solace and inspiration in the world of art, and she hopes to empower and encourage those who feel different to embrace their true selves and unleash their boundless creativity.

Marcene Ogawa was born and raised in California. During her adolescence, she wrote poetry, made collages, and dabbled at painting. She moved to Hawaiꜥi in 2006 and has been a resident ever since. For several years she taught as a science teacher in public schools. Although she found teaching greatly rewarding, it left her little time or energy to create art. In 2020, Marcene was able to find balance in her many blessings. She now homeschools her own children and has much more time to make art! This opportunity awarded her the peace and freedom to express herself artistically, she has never looked back since. She finds beauty in the hand of God throughout the natural world and tries to reflect that in her artwork. She predominately uses acrylic paint as her medium of choice. Her artistic themes consist of family, plants, animals, and politics. Marcene was a finalist in the Rhode Island Watercolor Society art show in 2022 and recently has been selling her art printed on coffee mugs, baby onesies, bags, and aprons at her pop-up art stand. She is grateful for all of the opportunities she has to learn and grow more. And best of all, she is excited for the many more good things God has for her!

Mariell Guzman is a mixed media painter, muralist, illustrator and installation artist currently based in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born in Michoacán, Mexico. 

She creates exuberant and colorful abstract/surrealistic playgrounds inspired by nature 

Follow on Instagram @mariellguzman

Chicago artist Melrick Steele is known for his vibrant, colorful abstract pieces. He is a self taught artist that started drawing at the age of 4. His paintings are inspired by various cultures and everyday life to produce some of the most vivid images of his style. Melrick creates a visual of work that is somewhat an urban abstract style.

In addition to painting, Melrick is a talented tattoo artist whose work has been featured in Urban Ink Magazine and in various blogs.

Follow on Instagram @melricktattedup

With the evolution of technology and the rise of self-sufficient creators, Nick Davis is taking the world of digital art by storm. 

In 2019, Davis took on digital artistry after epilepsy left him unable to work. Using an iPad gifted to him by his wife, he began to experiment with computer generated artwork. Before long, Davis constructed an entire collection of digital art that portrayed his love for his culture, appropriately titled, “Black Is Beautiful.” Davis and his “Black Is Beautiful” masterpieces soon attracted national and international recognition. Ultimately Davis wants to let his community know that despite the current state of the world,  your black remains immeasurably beautiful.

Follow on Instagram @ndartlife

Noland Anderson is an emerging artist whose work is a celebration of people of color. Born in NewPort News, Virginia, he later attended the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, where he studied advertising and went on to work as a freelance illustrator in the South Florida television market. Now located in the Tampa Florida area where he works as a fine ar tist and is currently showing in galleries throughout the Southeast, United States.

Follow on Instagram @nolandandersonart

London based artist Shai creates vibrant pieces that explore identity, diaspora and black joy. Her work colourfully illustrates a peek through the lens of a black woman in this complex world, community & self healing. Ultimately, she creates the kind of art she wishes existed when she was growing up.

ASA Books is the manifestation of two women’s alignment. Solonge Robinson and Aquabah Gonney-Buckner are cousins by blood, but sisters in spirit, who were raised in Brooklyn, NY. They joined forces to create children's books that entertain through engaging artwork while teaching meaningful content. Solonge’s lifelong love of writing evolved after the birth of her 2 children where she discovered reading bedtime stories each night was a magical adventure, one that would inspire her to author children's books. After a tragic fire destroyed all of her family's possessions, she committed to rebuilding their collection. Aquabah Gonney-Buckner uses art as a vehicle for self-expression. As a Principal in Chicago, IL, Aquabah champions art as an integral part of her curriculum of change; teaching the importance of art integration into public schools. Together, their goal is to create something beautiful in the world for children…. and ASA means beautiful.

Steph Littlebird is an artist, writer, curator and registered member of Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes. Steph earned her B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the Pacific Northwest College in Portland, Oregon, she currently lives and works in Las Vegas. Littlebird is known for her vibrant imagery that combines the traditional totem styles of her Indigenous ancestors with contemporary illustration aesthetics. 

Her work frequently touches upon issues of contemporary tribal identity, cultural survivance, and responsible land stewardship.

Follow on Instagram @artnerdforever

Tabitha Whitley is a Brooklyn based artist with a focus in oil painting and relief printmaking. Tabitha received her BFA in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009, then went on to receive MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2011. She is the current President of the Alumni Association of the New York Academy of Art and a serving member of the Board of Trustees. Tabitha has had her work shown in galleries throughout the United States, and has been featuared in the Wall Street Journal.

Follow on Instagram @tabitha_whitley_art

Yadi Liu is an award-winning visual artist. She was born in China and is now based in New York City. Her unique abstract style is characterized by curvy shapes and strong, vibrant colors. Most of her artworks are produced using digital media. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a Master of Fine Arts degree in illustration. Inspired by Cubism and Expressionism, she is passionate about finding the optimum balance between illustration and Modern Art. She has won many major awards such as Gold Medal in Society of Illustrators, Silver Medal in MoCCA Arts Festival, Jury Award in Hiii Illustration, 3x3 Illustration, and AI-AP American Illustration, etc. Her works have been frequently exhibited in many international galleries, exhibitions, festivals, and her clients include Apple, Nike, Square, The New York Times, VOGUE, and more.