Palacio Arts, LLC, Atlanta, GA (2026)

03/24/2026

“Cutting Through Gentle Waves”, 2026
Digital Drawing (Blue HB Pencil)
Barber Pole Sketch Series—Blue💈💙

This piece lives in that quiet, intimate space where care meets craft. In Cutting Through Gentle Waves, I center the back of the head—not as an absence, but as a site of trust, vulnerability, and transformation. The gentle waves in the hair become both literal texture and metaphor: a landscape the barber navigates with precision, intention, and care.

The barber’s hand is central. Steady, practiced, almost ritualistic. There is an intimacy in the placement—the slight tilt of the head, the firm but gentle grip, the closeness of bodies that speaks to a kind of care rarely named but deeply felt within Black barbershop culture. This is not just grooming; this is maintenance of self, of presentation, of dignity.

As part of the Barber Pole Sketch Series, this work reflects my ongoing commitment to reimagining Black masculinities through everyday practices. The barbershop, often understood as a social hub, is also a site of quiet care, where intimacy and artistry intersect.

Cutting Through Gentle Waves is about process—of drawing, of cutting, of becoming. It’s about honoring the small, meticulous acts that shape how we move through the world. And for me, it’s also personal: a return to drawing that allowed me to fall back in love with its detailed simplicity, to see again how even the most subtle marks can hold profound meaning.

Barber BarberArtist digitalpainting

01/26/2026

Yo—Spark me up! ,2026
Digital painting.

🔥🚬✨🫶🏽

“Spark me up!”—share your light bruh. Borrowing a light isn’t about just “bumming” off of someone else. it can also be a sharing and exchange of energies. To borrow the light of your brother, is an act of care against the status quo of being a lone wolf. Our own light can only warm us alone by so much. Hype each other up! Spread warmth! Use and share your light, so that we may be warmer, brighter, and shine together! (Even though I know you stole my lighter fam 😂)

“Black bromance” refers to a close, affectionate, and supportive friendship between Black masculine (masc) peoples. It highlights the camaraderie, loyalty, and emotional connection shared between individuals within the context of male friendship in Black communities. This term underscores the importance of positive and genuine relationships among Black masc peoples challenging stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of male friendships, racial contexts, and fluid masculinities.

Care to learn more? Enter the Palace and look within!— www.PalacioArts.net

BlackPhDScholar bromance blackbromance brotherlylove blackpower blackart blackgraphicdesigner mfa masculinities digitalpainting

01/17/2026

“Do It—Just don’t crease the forces”, 2026
Digital Illustration.
♥️💙🩰🫶🏽✨

It’s been a polarizing time. This vs. That, Us vs. Them, my side is right, your side needs to be left on Read—so much polarity, no room for solidarity. This piece sits somewhere in an between (for me at least). Sometimes we need to have those hard conversations even though they can feel exhaustive. “Do it.” Have that uncomfortable conversation. “Just don’t crease the forces.” Don’t bend over backwards and harm yourself while trying to reach someone, something—whatever. Maintain your peace. Preserve yourself, but just do it. Do it for you. Do it for them. Just love yourself in the process. One love.

Special shoutout to for the inspiration from their iconic Air Force Ones!

**Sharing a body of work that has been in and out of my studio practice for the past couple years. Black male attributed bodies deserve to be free to gesture themselves in whatever form they want without the threat of their masculinity being stripped from them socially.

Lately I have been in the studio contemplating Black male attributed bodies and the relationship of its performance in relation to Black masculinity. Our bodies are already over sexualized and overly extorted, but there is also a nuanced way in which we identify Black bodies as masculine. Does the clothing change this relationship? Does the form and gesture challenge what Black masculinity is? How does Black masculinity socially construct how Black men are “allowed” to carry themselves and monitor the gestures of their bodies. My questions are still raw and my research on it has only been from an auto-ethnographic lens, but there is something here. I felt it was time to be more open about my art practice and share work that may not have a solid footing in practice yet, but hold merit in its authentic creation.

Website: https://www.palaceofarts.net

blackbromance Blackdancer caution brotherlylove blackpower blackart blackgeaphicdesigner mfa masculinity blackbodies dancer

08/08/2025

Safe on the moon with you, 2025
24 x 24
Digital painting.

He watches my back
from the moon to the stars
Safer with you here,
brotherly love takes us far
Away from the noise,
we find some solace
Some peace, some quiet

To the moon, not back
It’s better to stay
At least out here
Social stigmas have no say
Because to love my brother,
doesn’t require me to be gay
Sparkle. Shine. Black boy joy—lift off and away.
🌘✨🚀💖

“Black bromance” refers to a close, affectionate, and supportive friendship between Black men. It highlights the camaraderie, loyalty, and emotional connection shared between individuals within the context of male friendship in the Black community. This term underscores the importance of positive and genuine relationships among Black men, challenging stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of male friendships, racial contexts, and fluid masculinities.

Care to learn more? Enter the Palace and look within!— www.PalacioArts.net

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Atlanta, GA

Telephone

+17702565133

Website

http://www.palacioarts.net/

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