What was growing up in Tennessee like? And what inspired you to start creating? 

Very weird. So I’m actually from Georgia. I only tell people I’m from Tennessee because no one knows where I live. So within Chattanooga Tennessee, there is a mountain called Lookout Mountain. It split between Georgia and Tennessee. I’m on the Georgia side. Growing up everything I did was in Tennessee so I just said I’m from Tennessee. I grew up on a farm, so that was fun, I liked to ride horses a lot. But it was also very isolating. There were literally no neighbors. 

Then, you know, growing up being adopted by a white family brings its challenges, kind of exploring: How do I fit in?  In the school I went to, I was the only Black student in my class. There were only 5 Black students in the entire high school. So that was kind of always a challenge. Where do I belong? How do I identify? There were some joys of it too, learning how to be a part of a family that wasn't my blood. Figuring out how we see different sides and points of view, but also figuring out how we can have these discussions and go through that process has kind of been nice to experience. The challenge was finding my people in Tennessee.

What was growing up in Tennessee like? And what inspired you to start creating? 

Very weird. So I’m actually from Georgia. I only tell people I’m from Tennessee because no one knows where I live. So within Chattanooga Tennessee, there is a mountain called Lookout Mountain. It split between Georgia and Tennessee. I’m on the Georgia side. Growing up everything I did was in Tennessee so I just said I’m from Tennessee. I grew up on a farm, so that was fun, I liked to ride horses a lot. But it was also very isolating. There were literally no neighbors. 

Then, you know, growing up being adopted by a white family brings its challenges, kind of exploring: How do I fit in?  In the school I went to, I was the only Black student in my class. There were only 5 Black students in the entire high school. So that was kind of always a challenge. Where do I belong? How do I identify? There were some joys of it too, learning how to be a part of a family that wasn't my blood. Figuring out how we see different sides and points of view, but also figuring out how we can have these discussions and go through that process has kind of been nice to experience. The challenge was finding my people in Tennessee.

That is really beautiful. I’m interested to know more about your creative ritual. It could be beneficial to hear for taking those deep feelings and experiences and then translating them physically into the artistic process.

It depends on the experience I’m sharing. Sometimes when I’m creating that piece I am so excited for, I can’t wait to piece it all together and figure out whether I’m exploring something that is more triumphant or sharing more pain. I go back and forth. Wrestling between being super excited but also dreading it. 

I do a lot of reading and writing, so there is a lot of research that goes into [my art]. It’s not just pulling from my own lived experiences. It's asking my friends and connecting to what’s currently going on in the world. Trying to bring my own experiences but also connecting them to others’ so they can maybe step into my shoes and heal through that process. In the end, even if it's painful, I want something beautiful to come from it to show that growth.