https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events daily 0.75 2025-04-08 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/ywca-lancaster-juneteenth-celebration monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/juneteenth-jubilee monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/hrbr41hdqr3pfcizcdczyppc1itm0m monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/extra-give-2022-lancaster-marriott monthly 0.5 2022-11-05 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/horizon-gala-2022 monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/shadowkeeeper-roothealers-the-original-ogs monthly 0.5 2022-06-07 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/https/anchorfm/smudgetalkthepodcast monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/imani-edu-tainers-african-dance-companys-juneteenth-weekend monthly 0.5 2022-06-09 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/kwanza-celebration monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/black-artist-waystation-juneteenth-showcase monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/y35otkfn4ddeo34s8id85nxs0kkz4n monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/imani-edu-tainers-african-dance-company-millersville-universitys-intercultural-center-for-student-engagement-presents-a-juneteenth-celebration monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/artistic-peacebuilding-class-elizabethtown-college monthly 0.5 2021-03-10 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/black-washed-a-collection-of-essays-poems-dreams-and-letters-addressed-to-black-folk monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/current-events/shadowkeepers-roothealers-the-original-ogs monthly 0.5 2023-06-13 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/home daily 0.75 2022-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1615378980192-P5LAPW8ZI0A0ZIHV7ZO6/Image-1466.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1615378586244-DNMV957ROJJEYFBQSJ5P/Image-1507.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1615378656828-LCHYU4C0KF9MF97BMQ72/IMG_6690.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1615379122838-25FOXLEX0K8EI6DABJ0F/performance-hp Home Performance and Spoken Word https://www.girlrillavintage.com/about daily 0.75 2025-07-15 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/contact daily 0.75 2022-05-25 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/cover daily 1.0 2021-02-03 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/offerings daily 0.75 2021-03-05 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/artist-statement daily 0.75 2025-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1614823021898-DNP2IXFS77IHQMCVF8HQ/204799_10150548586055284_2842375_o.jpg Artist Statement About My Work My art is rooted in spirit, drawing from autochthonous Afrikan civilizations, generational healing, identity, and sexuality. As a multidimensional creator, I reimagine and challenge narratives within the Afrikan diaspora, exposing and reframing systems of oppression. My work carries a deep truth: Black people were there, Black people are here, and Black people are in the future. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1d1e6e5e-cced-4511-9921-1a55ac2afa35/IMG_3501.jpg Artist Statement - My Creative Process Is Divinely Guided My artistic process is guided by divine inspiration. I draw from life itself, the Ifa’ West Afrikan spiritual tradition, and Afrofuturism—each a deep well of wisdom. These influences, along with the enduring presence of my ancestors and the love of my community, ground me in a creative independence that I carry with devotion. Whether through spoken word, poetry, dance, visual art, or writing, my work is a vessel—for healing generational trauma, sparking joy in the Afrikan Diaspora, and fueling social change. My community honors me for creating art that resonates across cultures and generations, always rooted in love for Black people. Afrofuturism allows me to weave past, present, and future—fact, fiction, and spiritual truth—all at once. The Ifa’ tradition teaches me to listen closely to my ancestors and the Orisha, guiding me to cultivate my own magical gifts. These teachings empower both my life and my community. They invite me to work through hard truths, even when it’s uncomfortable—because I know that’s where radical growth lives. Celebrating our skin—which reflects the shadows of all things—I move as a steadfast conduit for creative expression wherever my energy flows. Our glow truly is the dark. People often ask about my creative process. Let’s just say—my creations have minds of their own, hahaha! Whether it’s a poem, a dance, a collage, or a sculpture, each piece has its own rhythm and story, yet they all carry threads of empowerment, intention, and purpose. My process unfolds in layers—organic, raw, non-linear. It can be messy and chaotic, with my favorite things scattered all around me. Sometimes, I chase ideas. Other times, they arrive at my front door before I even know I need them. I follow the rhythms of my people and the pulse of the world around me. There’s magic in that unfolding—a nesting instinct—that bonds me to every piece I create. I have a passion for repurposing found objects— not only to honor the Earth, but to ignite new levels of creativity. I love experimenting with textures, sounds, and techniques that invite all five senses into the work. I use materials that carry memory: cowrie shells, vintage books, bold fabrics, and cultural artifacts. Each one adds ancestral presence and griot storytelling to my work. https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads daily 0.75 2025-10-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/be764b61-f5c2-4f85-bb08-75f9958b0608/Cup.jpg https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/harvest-moon-cup-5fc72-96b49-d5rpn monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709886471-5B65M5UAWKBAJV2H63K2/product-detail-4x5_6.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Harvest Moon Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1658279194107-NW4RGK42480THRPHBHSS/download%2B%281%29%2Bcopy.jpeg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Harvest Moon Cup https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/earth-sky-planter-4awkk-nazcb-zxsmd monthly 0.5 2025-08-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709713213-0A9EOEM7KVP0PARGMKOB/product-detail-4x5_5.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Earth & Sky Planter https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1658279141923-6BNQYNVOH00BVIT1B6FK/download+%281%29.jpeg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Earth & Sky Planter https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/golden-mist-cup-weny8-tys2x-parme monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709566842-V0D57N61ZW83B4J87Y15/product-detail-4x5_4.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Golden Mist Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1658279079716-V4RLIA236RWPQ2TKG4J7/download%2Bcopy.jpeg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Golden Mist Cup https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/spring-bowl-rltkk-4a48k-yx6d6 monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709250624-C68T9SQ6K7NYICK8P3FP/product-detail-4x5_3.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Spring Bowl https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1658279039867-RQ6S1GQS5PKTGXZL0V2M/spring-blade-thumbnail-01-2500x1666.jpeg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Spring Bowl https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/milk-dip-cup-92wf6-abmpj-bnmg9 monthly 0.5 2024-12-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600709119857-4XUS64LJJ5NSIA4T45VZ/product-detail-4x5_2.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Milk Dip Cup https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1658278960087-63RMYY111ZSP8RJCNUAL/download.jpeg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Milk Dip Cup https://www.girlrillavintage.com/girlrillavintage-threads/p/country-feast-set-3nybt-zczh5-s8b5b monthly 0.5 2024-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1600708893896-325AKTDK2UTS2Y4VSD0K/product-detail-4x5_1.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Feast Set https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/3ad9bcc1-c34a-44d5-895f-77c99edbb2a9/bdtxjz__fleur__42%2B1.jpg GirlrillaVintage Threads - Feast Set https://www.girlrillavintage.com/mixed-media daily 0.75 2025-10-08 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/mixed-media/sculpture monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/00898690-0a8d-4a49-bf50-7955c3d25e33/Image-1554.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Biyaha, 2015 — “Deep Water.” Bust honoring Olokun, Orisha of ocean depths; poem reflects surrender, ancestral sacrifice, and resilience during the Middle Passage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/563c362b-3b53-4ece-9811-c6da2b590914/Image-1498.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Zina, 2014 — “Secret Spirit.” Bust honoring Egungun, bridging past and present; hair made from my first locs embodies memory, transformation, and ancestral legacy through an Afrofuturist lens. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/e97cffbe-be59-4a66-94d7-b5076cd745b9/Image-1535.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Ausa Uhsa, 2014 — “It’s Raining.” Bust channels Oya, Orisha of storms, change, and rebirth. The name is a phonetic rendering I adopted from oral sources. Poem on her face honors transformation, resilience, and finding softness within the storm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/a5de4681-1f40-4877-abec-57c82866d0fc/Image-1477.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Mama Ubuntu, 2014 — “humanity towards others.” Honors Oshun, celebrating generosity, grace, and interconnectedness. Adorned with ancestral photos, gold accents, and Ankara fabric, she embodies lineage, wisdom, and the living legacy of Afrikan women. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/052cefc2-12e6-4520-9dff-f10b23c25d94/Image-1487.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Ancestor photos lower body adornment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d7c80ada-a2db-41eb-92bb-ac5d1931326a/Image-1466.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Back view with quote. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/c5737529-08ae-4e9e-a1d6-a72b21c89bec/Image-1367.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Olokun (female pathway), 2019 My depiction of the Orisha Olokun, guardian of deep, dark waters, embodies her power, mystery, and ancestral presence. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/71bf4264-197a-426b-9a16-e1f8d79edee3/Image-1356.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Mookies mouth: sculpted full lips. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/47ec0951-7e8e-4d00-bbf5-cccd59fb9aac/Image-1354.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Side view of her majesty. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/cc2cd30d-ed7c-4679-9834-701590ca9a86/Image-1362.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Orunmila, 2019 My depiction of the Orisha Orunmila, Babalou and keeper of knowledge, wisdom, and divination. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/afa34bb1-5bd5-4578-ad61-13db59dacb96/Image-1418.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Back view — long loc adorned with clocks https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/0db095e1-244a-4cb1-b009-eea3628cdee7/Image-1420.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Profile view — bulbhawk hairstyle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/a4cf032d-fa3b-4301-8328-fc6b4358588e/Image-1402.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Obatala (female path), 2019 My depiction of the Orisha Obatala, creator of the sky and all of humanity. This piece honors her role as a divine architect and embodies grace, wisdom, and the ancestral energy she imparts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/a5074300-8bb9-405b-a4c8-f0e5750f53e5/Image-1403.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Front view — her majesty, with me adjusting her crown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/193d720e-3821-49ac-a27e-a3e9dc2776b8/Image-1363.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Head-on view — full majesty of Obatala. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/21620e0a-7263-4b23-8923-4f47a6fc18f7/Image-1560.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Egungun, 2019 Created for my ancestors to come through, this Egungun honors lineage, memory, and ancestral guidance. It serves as a vessel for the presence of those who came before, embodying their protection, wisdom, and enduring spirit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/9204d746-83c8-429d-be73-fdb530d2ae29/Image-1577.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Rear view — layered fabrics (cause I always got his back). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/4591f6af-ecd7-4c25-b263-e2246b757153/Image-1565.jpg Mixed Media - Sculpture Detail — close-up of sheepswool beard with cowrie and mud fixings. https://www.girlrillavintage.com/mixed-media/blackpinupseries monthly 0.5 2021-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/3829c8ad-9f01-485c-8fe7-892568d66a21/img_1927-2.png Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/f7c64c71-4853-4146-995b-44936b747960/IMG_2198.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/0da0c431-1874-4663-9a60-8abbb5e13198/IMG_4464.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/ebcd316c-8bc7-4df7-b600-59d711fb4dc1/IMG_2197.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/912bdb7a-17c1-46f2-90bf-078947607fd8/Image+2-2-21+at+10.09+PM.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/50826450-7912-4164-b432-a69724285593/IMG_4462.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/3e29f3f4-a280-4b60-8252-792b537d6b73/IMG_4467.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/06cd21ae-de5e-445d-8711-b16a5ca71731/IMG_4468.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/fe51a971-57da-4a1a-bc8b-f6f777385bc4/IMG_2186.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/7aa6941a-ea57-4c7e-a982-9cadbb6d642b/IMG_2192.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/e75df76f-862d-42d8-a633-62c9120ec72e/IMG_2194.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1ed92d2d-0ae7-4a7e-8aac-341d73e3b02a/IMG_2199.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/5661383d-1dfa-4455-92fe-eb490195b6eb/IMG_2214.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/043d4131-126f-4afe-88a2-bb7b68c5f058/IMG_2209.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/a1c02f87-8017-42f2-9bd2-dd4fc29632e4/IMG_2210.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/5da221bc-441f-46af-bc79-2a6c38a827bc/IMG_2204.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/4297aafc-2752-4f80-9b2f-58af3ac164f9/IMG_2205.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/52ec916b-195d-413a-905d-07f053dc20ce/IMG_2208.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/adb1e895-4fec-4dcb-949b-fef349f0869f/IMG_2212.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/72d9e125-2183-41fe-aecf-c8f7e2555058/IMG_2215.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/b4a50fd7-4c9a-45b4-84c3-ae896901ce49/IMG_2216.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/ca6d02a9-f45b-4a38-ad7e-81b1aed19bae/IMG_2219.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/69597a39-d40c-4c04-a5f4-e5d6023d0428/IMG_2226.jpg Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/e1bd16fc-260a-4277-b5d3-4cb0a6ded14a/IMG_2529.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/585ed1a8-319e-4005-bfac-a31e3a7fe103/IMG_2534.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/a964c9d4-9eb0-4b39-bbd1-7c75567a75b6/IMG_2535.JPG Mixed Media - Black Pinups Series https://www.girlrillavintage.com/mixed-media/antebellumtribalafrikanfacemasks monthly 0.5 2025-10-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1621357203531-L5F9Y7WKJJS4HEJGD1MV/10734229_10154841718240284_3242884556570987009_n+2.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks - I’m a Multi-Dimensional Artist-and I’m Sensitive About My Shit. Shoutout to Badu! I want to first thank my little-big brother and ancestor, David Berry (pictured with me), who made this entire body of work possible. Late in 2022, he visited me in a dream and showed me how to make these masks from fabric. This body of work exists because of his spiritual leadership and guidance. Ase’O!!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1621357660946-WVFKHYNFPP2G0MW3BDDU/IMG_2420.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks - We Come From Someplace Stories in the Fabric Countless stories are woven into the fabric of the Afrikan Diaspora — layered, hidden, waiting to be told. Antebellum Tribal Afrikan Wall Masks (ATAWM) are one of those stories. This body of work is part of my ongoing exploration of identity, heritage, and spirit — rooted in my own lineage and connected to the broader Afrikan experience across the globe. This series reflects my interpretations of the deep connections between natural textile fibers used during chattel enslavement and the enduring culture of Afrikans born in the American South. These masks are my visual poems — rhythmic, metaphorical, and raw — speaking unfiltered truths through the fabric itself. One recurring feature in this series is Mookie’s Mouth — a form I use to honor African features, especially full lips and rich, dark skin. The name comes from a nickname my mother gave one of my little brothers, who couldn’t say “milk” and would say “Mook” or “Mookie” while breastfeeding. She would smile at him and praise how beautiful his big lips were, calling him her “sweet little dark chocolate baby.” That everyday tenderness — that celebration of Blackness in its purest form — lives in these masks. It’s stitched into the work just as deeply as the fabric itself. You’ll also see elements of Afro-futurism, where time folds in — past, present, and future coexisting in each piece. ATAWM is an offering of gratitude to the sheer tenacity of Black communities across the Afrikan Diaspora — from the continent to the Caribbean, the Americas, and beyond — especially those closest to my own family’s story, in the Deep South and the islands. These are the people who survived genocide, endured forced labor, and still found ways to thrive, create, and love. In the words of Audre Lorde: Afrikans everywhere are powerful and deliberate. Stories in the Threads Before you can read the cloth, you have to learn its history. I know what these masks mean to me, but what’s exciting is that you have a front-row seat to analyze and find your own meaning. Now imagine this: having a gun trained on you from sunup to sundown, forced to wear pants made not just of burlap, but rough, raw cotton sacks—cotton that hadn’t been properly processed or softened, worn directly against your skin. The shirt was made of steel wool, scratchy and unforgiving. Even the underwear was burlap, coarse and irritating, often crawling with mealworms and fire ants. These weren’t just ragged clothes—they were cruel reminders of neglect and dehumanization, made from the very crops your enslaved hands had picked, with pests crawling freely on fabric meant to cover your body. I know, unconscionable, right? But wait… there’s more. This actually happened to enslaved human beings. Forced Black labor and cotton industrialization are inseparable. To grow the cotton that would clothe the world and fuel the global economy, enslaved Black bodies worked the cotton fields of the Deep South — until they literally died from exhaustion or from their joints grinding down to the very bone and cartilage — or when they were shot and murdered for not moving fast enough. Their labor not only made cotton America’s largest financial asset — a system upheld by constant threat of violence and scrupulous record keeping — it made us relevant and important to the rest of the world. America remains one of the world’s leading nations because of this stolen, free labor from my people. Woven Wounds, Stitched in Silence Behind every thread lies a story of pain, endurance, and survival — a silent witness to the brutal realities of chattel slavery. During my research, I uncovered the harsh truths behind terms like “Guinea cloth” and “Negro cloth.” These were not just fabrics; they were instruments of control and dehumanization, woven tightly into the fabric of systemic violence. Guinea cloth, with its roots in West Afrika, was plain or dyed, loom-patterned cotton traded as piece goods. Negro cloth was even harsher — rough, unfinished, and unbleached cotton, often blended with coarse animal and plant fibers. These low-cost, durable materials were the only fabrics legally permitted for enslaved Afrikans in the American South and Caribbean. But these clothes did more than cover bodies — they physically and mentally burdened those forced to wear them. Issued only five yards per year, hand-sewn between backbreaking work, these fabrics carried the weight of oppression and the silent wounds of those who endured them. Reclaiming Our Narrative Central to my work is the celebration and glorification of Afrocentric features—a process I call Mookie’s Mouth. Named after my brother, who endured racist jokes and comments about his features and dark complexion while in a white foster home, this approach is more than an artistic choice; it’s an act of healing and reclamation. I refer to these as tribal masks in honor of my West Afrikan heritage, recognizing the deep cultural roots and spiritual significance that tribal masks hold across the Afrikan continent. While tribal masks have meaning in many cultures worldwide, Africa is a profound source of this artistic and cultural tradition, and my masks are a continuation of that ancestral lineage. These masks also tell the unique story of the Antebellum South—reflecting the resilience, pain, and strength of Afrikan peoples who endured centuries of forced labor and systemic oppression in America. By centering Black features in my masks, I rewrite stories of shame and invisibility into ones of beauty, resilience, and pride. This work is part of a larger movement to reclaim our stories, affirm our identities, and uplift our spirits. Through creativity, I honor my ancestors and contribute to healing within my family and across the Afrikan Diaspora. With the gifts of blood memory, intuition, and resilience, I let the ancestors and spirits guide the faces as they reveal themselves through the fabric, shaping each mask’s story. Each piece is an offering—an act of beautifying, educating, and empowering. This journey is possible because of my ancestor and brother, David, whose spiritual leadership has been my foundation. Ase-O!!! These masks carry the weight of history and the light of our future. Through them, we reclaim our narrative—one thread, one face, one story at a time. I will continue to listen, create, and share as the spirits lead me. Enjoy the journey. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d0d79ee0-753f-4fa0-a8f6-72f51d223473/IMG_2409.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks MOOKIES MOUTH, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on wood (16 X 16). $3000 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/4a8da798-4b85-4614-9c49-3ce7d08174b7/IMG_2413.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks AFRODALIT, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on wood (22 1/2 X 16). $3000 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d7d6d3e9-a2b3-4c9b-8e28-741442b62100/IMG_2420.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks MR. JUTE, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on wood (22 X 13). $2800 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d524da3a-b4ac-43b2-a846-a25762775de1/IMG_2422.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks OJISE' THE GRIOTS GRIOT, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on cork board (23 1/2 X 23 1/2). $4500 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/689d1f56-3c8c-48ab-8e6e-4bbd6ee6044e/IMG_2455.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks MOKO JUMBIE, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on wood (45 X 15). Not for $ale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/b13e77f9-fe07-48d6-b471-ea5fca5a2ef3/IMG_2454.jpg Mixed Media - Antebellum Tribal Afrikanface Masks OGUN'S SONG, 2021. Textiles & mixed media on cork board (24 X 18). $3734 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/mixed-media/othermix monthly 0.5 2022-05-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1617142133664-9O7BJO4131F0URHJKNA5/IMG_3501.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Rooted. Original mixed media cover, commission piece for Zetta Elliots novella, "Roots Run Deep", created in 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/692c1fc6-70d2-47aa-b416-9ae49a4eb0f5/IMG_3502.JPG Mixed Media - Othermix Regal Blacks. Original mixed media, commission piece featured in Zetta Elliots novella, "Roots Run Deep", created in 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d6541691-b738-4189-a77c-3028a29f5a48/front+coverroot+dun+deeep.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Rooted. Digital mixed media cover, commission piece for Zetta Elliots novella, "Roots Run Deep", created in 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/e6a6220b-36b6-48f1-b576-672a1726c091/IMG_8983.JPEG Mixed Media - Othermix Twin Flames, commission piece, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/34192f91-8f7b-4161-a3b0-976c732e227a/IMG_6008+2.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Ancestor Tones. Original mixed media cover, commission piece for Music for Everyone Song for Justice Project, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/5c0b5310-15bc-447e-b2a4-b98e6ba5c4f8/tempImage6fWLZR.png Mixed Media - Othermix Our Souls Never Left, commission piece, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/c064ab27-b70b-4b46-8f76-1cb5f9ce6a2c/IMG_1488.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Rose heart, commission piece, created in 2022. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/742e99f6-7d3d-4374-a975-54ec0fbc2447/258C0DC3-5F98-4100-ACB0-19DD422D1E9B.JPG Mixed Media - Othermix Sankofa returns. Commission piece, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/26c2d063-b4c2-4873-bfe4-6a5d93886b96/IMG_1489.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Cowrie heart, birthday commission piece, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/9300b964-8ebc-4f27-8d2b-bbb5e5439b5c/DSC09251.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Watermelon Sekere's (bottleneck gourds, cowrie shells beads). Commission piece for YWCA Black Artist Waystation Juneteenth Project, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/611b362b-50fb-45b9-b52f-8d9814d48387/IMG_2713.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Baboon commission piece, created in 2019. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/02b907f5-402d-4e1d-9eaa-dfe178a7c507/IMG_6966.JPG Mixed Media - Othermix William Henry Johnson Self Portrait button commission piece. Created in 2008. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1b8cc80d-eb57-478c-900d-7cdb1cbd7639/204799_10150548586055284_2842375_o.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix TreeThree, a personal work to my unborn son, created in 2011. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/1b191696-3eab-4ec9-ba4c-03c9cc03bf34/326853_10152128886600284_309674898_o.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Freedom Song-Behind Bars and Not Guilty. Gift for my cousin recently released from prison in 2018 after serving 25 years for a crime he didn't commit, created in 2010. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/455f1203-4199-4352-acff-a49f0cff20be/12311778-06A9-4A58-A004-C4B7442FE6A1.JPG Mixed Media - Othermix Always See Yourself in the Reflection, birthday commission, created in 2021. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/998db102-cd60-42e9-9d29-3998ec17109b/53A34731-C46B-408D-A572-9EAC7550CE06.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix 40th Birthday commission piece, birthday card, created 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/fa773701-1d2f-44da-abbc-79e465f7d95c/95B202C2-6586-452B-8746-AFAD42EBBD69.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Birthday commission gift (up cycled, vintage cigar box) FRONT, created 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/f6fe877f-e7c7-43a6-b4cd-ace6917e4a1b/A31D7456-28E2-4E64-B5A7-C0FAF6EA0958.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Birthday commission gift (up cycled, vintage cigar box) BACK, created 2024 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/94cc8ef2-0631-4b92-8e2e-ea3eafdcfc59/DSC09207.jpg Mixed Media - Othermix Watermelon shaker, created 2021 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word daily 0.75 2025-04-16 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/only-love-ode-heart-healing monthly 0.5 2021-03-11 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/life-before-the-boat monthly 0.5 2023-06-28 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/watermelon-live monthly 0.5 2023-07-22 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/meh-jata-my-locs-live monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/5-black-women-with-locs monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/afrikanface-autochthonous-blood-and-bone monthly 0.5 2022-05-17 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance-spoken-word/project-one-f5w4d-sppe6 monthly 0.5 2025-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/208814e4-d812-4a6a-ac28-34bdf3d9b127/IMG_4434.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6000fa5b9b79d81393a0d58e/d97a2a69-1ddf-405b-aaad-29288416daff/Screenshot+2025-04-13+at+8.48.45%E2%80%AFPM.png Performance and Spoken Word - Sprit of the Dead, poem by Haile Gerima, movement by TheeAmazingGrace https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance daily 0.75 2021-03-09 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance/ancestor-tonez monthly 0.5 2021-03-09 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance/afrikanface-autochthonous-blood-and-bone monthly 0.5 2021-03-09 https://www.girlrillavintage.com/performance/5-black-women-with-locs monthly 0.5 2021-03-09