Let's Address It

Racism is a quiet, incessant beast. And while publicly volatile remarks and actions justifiably create the most outrage, it is the covert ones that have allowed racism to endure. They're the prejudiced actions masked in social niceties and premeditated policies. Those actions are called racial microaggressions.

First used in 1970 by Harvard psychiatrist Chester Pierce, microaggressions are much like loopholes to racism—easier to get away with because the lines of intention are blurred. They include but are not limited to, hiring discrimination, marketing of eurocentric beauty standards, respectability politics, and tone policing. Microaggressions aid in creating an environment in which BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) feel unsafe to be themselves.

The illustrations below (inspired by type design and posters of the late 60s and 70s) were once sketches, created three years ago after experiencing triggering circumstances while working in a predominantly white environment. Because microaggressions are still in play today, this work still holds weight. As a creative, my hope is that these pieces spark uncomfortable conversations that lead to acknowledged behaviors.

Leveling Up My Skillset: Play Family 2.0

Since the beginning of quarantine, I've been giving myself monthly challenges as a way to not only stay motivated but to constantly be pursuing growth. So far, I've been alternating between acquiring soft and hard skills. April was dedicated to meditating for 30 consecutive days. (My longest streak is now 38 days within the Calm app. Ayyyyyeeee!) In May, I focused on increasing my efficiency in Adobe Illustrator using Skillshare videos. And June has been geared towards proactive adaptability + flexibility, which for me means saying yes more often than no and allowing space for more spontaneity and less rigidity.

The illustrations below are a result of my last week in May.

Personally, it didn't feel like enough to simply watch a million Skillshare videos and apply the tips when necessary. I needed a project that would show what I've learned, but also feel complete. Sooo...I chose to refresh an old passion project of mine! The perfect way for me to show an evolution in my skillset and just a good place to start.

Tyler the Creator 2.0

Original Illustration from 2018

My intent was to refine and edit the original illustrations into simple, pleasing shapes that could be easily reflected and repeated. This direction allowed me to create virtually symmetrical portraits in less than a few hours each. If you're a Skillshare subscriber, I'd recommend starting with any Hayden Aube course, specifically "Give the Pen Tool a Day Off".

During this project, I also got to experiment with pattern-making and gradients. DKNG's "Mastering Illustrator: 10 Tips & Tricks to Speed Up Your Workflow" is pretty clutch for improving these two skills.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino

The additional illustrations below were just pure color play. Fidgeting with overlays and dabbling in blending modes. It's amazing how much color can change the mood and feel of your work! Which colorway is your favorite??? Honestly, I'm drawn to the first and third options. They're so rich in tone!

Hoping This Heals You

Hoping This Heals You is a public and visual form of journaling for me. It was birthed from the need to "catch" my fleeting thoughts and "release" my ruminating ones.

For two years, I had been collecting piles of multi-colored sticky notes of varying sizes filled with epiphanies and positive self-talk. Hoarding them for days when I was feeling beyond low and would need a little help lifting my spirits. Eventually, I could no longer keep these thoughts to myself and would feel the need to share them. I shared them as a way to connect to others, to temporarily relieve others of their pain by providing joy, remind them that they are seen, and motivate them to continue doing their absolute best. Because life is fucking hard and no one should feel as if they are fumbling through it alone.

Uncomplicated and easy to digest, my intent was to share messages that would hit you quickly, then linger. I wanted to share messages that required small actions. Actions that could be done in real-time. Baby steps.

Overall, this project has indirectly been a continuous lesson in developing my empathy and compassion. And I'm happy that my willingness to be vulnerable has brought me here.

Be sure to join the @hopingthishealsyou community on Instagram for more inspo. Take care!