2024.09    
Houston, TX

Mixed Media on paper
13”x17”

This portrait of Cornel West was created using a layered mix of acrylic, ink, charcoal, watercolor, pastel chalks, and minimal collage, emphasizing tactility and a hands-on, human presence. Deliberately resisting slickness or polish, the work stands in contrast to the cold, corporate veneer and the frictionless aesthetics often associated with digital production. Its material roughness and visible touch foreground a sense of humanity befitting a figure widely regarded for his ethical and moral clarity. The portrait was later adapted into an unofficial poster design in support of West’s presidential candidacy and made available as a free high-resolution download.