My First Art Competition

There I was, sitting at my desk, dreading the 8-hour shift I was about to endure. Another day as a university advisor helping incoming students prepare themselves to pursue coursework necessary to achieve their biggest dreams and desires…and yet I wasn’t fulfilling my own. I had already completed my coursework - earned an Art History degree from the magnificent Morgan State University in 2017, with dreams bigger than my brain could even piece together and a passion that had burned so deeply, and yet I was unfulfilled. Now don’t get me wrong, I was grateful for my 9-5, but I wanted more.

After years of sitting at that desk, thoughts of self-doubt crept in and those dreams that were once occupying every thought was simply somewhere floating around in my mind. That passion that once burned so immensely felt like only a flicker at times. There has to be more to my life than this. I want more…and I believe God has more! He knows the desires of my heart and I believe He would grant me that. But as I’ve grown in my walk, I’ve learned that I also have to be an active participant in what I’m believing for.

Opportunities presented themselves, but if I’m honest, those self-doubting thoughts would creep back in and I would find a reason not to pursue them. What if they don’t like my piece? What if I’m not talented enough? These other artists have probably been trained- I’m self-taught! How could I compare?!

Eventually, I sat down and asked myself, “What are you doing? This isn’t you! You are an artist, so act like one!” It was at that moment that I decided to take a chance on myself. Regardless of the outcome, I promised myself to give it my all! So I took a leap of faith.

In December 2020, I entered the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition and I can honestly say that was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I was selected as a finalist and was offered to be represented at the Agora Gallery in New York City! God is good…so very good.

I did it! This was not only the boost I needed, but also the confirmation needed to continue standing firm in my dreams of becoming a full-time artist…and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me next!

"But failure has to be an option in art and in exploration--because it's a leap of faith. And no important endeavor that required innovation was done without risk. You have to be willing to take those risks." --James Cameron