Melissa Tolbert-Womack

When I approach a white paper, I first sketch out my dreams, hopes, and fears. Painting allows me to dream and to explore my creativity. My dreams are shown through the color choices and compositions that I create. I always start with my sketch first. This is my first step to get the lines and shapes clearly planned out. Second, I move to a medium size version and then reinterpret my sketch and learn and explore different ideas and approaches. Lastly, I am onto my large version when the portrait is infull color. The eyes and expression are in your face. My portraits explores the beauty of African-American people. Often African-Americans are portrayed in a negative light. The watercolor that I create show the true beauty of African- Americans. Often portraying the strength and the resilience that African-Americans have inside. With the softness that watercolor allows, I am able to paint the true African-American. Ever since I was a small child, I loved painting and creating.