So I went to an art class... in July.

On July 1st, 2 months ago, I went to an art class hosted by one of my favourite Bahamian artists Keeya. I don't know if she could tell or not, but I had a whole fan-girl moment the entire first half of the class.

Going to the art class certainly wasn’t in my budget for the month (the budget I keep saying I’ll write out but never do). But honestly, I didn't exactly have the extra cash to spare. However, from the moment I saw the flyer for it on Instagram, I knew that I had to go. Like a Beyoncé concert, whether my friends were down to die or not, I was ridin’. 

It was important to me for a number of reasons.

1. I wasn’t particularly happy in general at the moment. I was feeling a bit stuck in life. 

2. I have been trying to claw my way back to art for a long time. Here I am writing. trying. Painting about once a year. Trying. Buying art supplies that never make it out of the plastic. “Trying”. But the environment to produce art always seems to escape me. (Yes I know it can be produced anywhere but I know what I’m saying here.)

3. It was a collage class. I love collaging and haven’t done it since maybe 2016. The Visio board events I host for friends may count but I haven’t made one I was proud of in 7 whole years (woah. I hadn't realised it was that long honestly.)

4. Collage is therapeutic, like most art forms for me. But something about sifting through materials reminds me of shopping (which is also therapeutic for me :)

5. Having the luxury of time to pay attention to detail when cutting out your findings and mulling over where to place them is all so calming.

6. It was Keeya.

7. I’d have my own art piece to take home after that could be a small source of joy I could pull from later.

I was late to class and I was having a terrible day. I almost didn't go but I’d already paid for it and I’m working hard on following through despite circumstances… like the pouring rain I could barely see through on my way there. 

The class was amazing. Even though I was a whole hour late, Keeya made sure I was filled in on what everyone had already done. I did miss the fundamentals of not trying to make our self-portraits realistic but that’s what happens when you’re late.

The class had good vibes and someone had on a great playlist. It was interesting to see people from different ages, races, and backgrounds all come together to make art while listening to music ranging from dancehall to pop to trap. Those spaces are my favourite. It’s also why I love art. There’s an authenticity that’s allowed, even expected, that is frowned upon and often rejected in most spaces. Very cognitive dissonance-making. 

Everyone’s portrait was different. We all had different, personal reasons for choosing the items we did to include in our portraits. I didn’t get to present mine as I was an hour behind the class but I stopped to watch everyone else present their artwork and it was all beautiful. 

I spent about an extra hour in the studio with permission finishing up my portrait which started off a disaster by the way. I definitely tried to make it look realistic before finally giving and leaning into simply vibing and reaching for materials that felt like me until it started to look like something. 

I’m very happy with how it turned out and I’m proud of myself for making it to art class. 

Also, not me writing another blog post. 

My self portrait

Artwork by Keeya.

I thought it was cool that I had the exact Telfie. So here it is.

Me, after class in front of artwork by Keeya with paint on my face.