I want people to know that I love them, that I miss them, that they are very good. I like to draw people from my memory so I don’t forget them, like Josef, he’s a nice guy. And Angel, she has pigtails, and Jo, she’s the secretary. And Mariam who was in Philadelphia, but she’s not anymore. And Haley, she used to be my charter driver, and Sarah from downstairs. And Mili and Jacob, they are news reporters in Israel. I include myself in my drawings because I’m in the picture, too. I see myself there.

I have a wild imagination. I like to put my imagination paper. About 40 years ago, I collected my dad’s work papers because they were in the trashcan; they were free. He put them in the trashcan, and I dug them all out and drew on them. It was paper that was available when I needed it. On the back of the papers, that’s my dad’s typing. My dad passed away. I miss my dad a lot. He was a Colonel at the Pentagon. I’m interested in how clouds are made and their changing shapes. I watch the sky everyday.

When I feel like doing something, I just do it. I enjoy everything, everyday. I draw with my cheek and shoulder. That’s the way I draw. I don’t have a favorite thing to draw. I just draw. I draw where I am, what I see where I am. I draw the outside of my church, I draw the inside of the hotel, I draw the inside and the outside of the studio, all these things. In Africa, I drew on the floor outside with a stick. It was my own idea. It was only me. My brother and sister, they just come to look at what I’m doing.

This is what I see. I paint flowers and shapes. I like to put smiley faces in my paintings. I pick out colors for how I feel. I show my feelings when I paint. This is what I know. Painting makes me happy. People see my paintings and they feel happy and smile.

I dream a lot about African art. I see other African artists make things, and I knew one day I wanted to make something too. I want to be proud of something. When I draw horses, I look at what I’m making. I see the muscles and dark spots. All horses are different. I love the way horses look. I like when we draw together. It’s helpful because somebody is doing something right next to you. I would rather work together. It helps us be more creative. I feel inspired by making art. I’m proud because I love the work.goes here

I create images on paper and place them under a large sheet of glass, then cut and arrange smaller pieces of colored glass to create two-foot guys. When working with glass, sometimes it’s easy and sometimes it’s hard, but I always manage. They turn out exactly the way I want them to. I know when they are finished.oes here

Abernathy Bland is an artist, teacher, designer, and writer. She also works as an American Sign Language Interpreter. She believes we are responsible for each other and that art is a superpower.

She spent the last decade as Art Director and teacher with Live Art, an inclusive and collaborative theater arts program for youth. Her piece, go for it. all, is part of the Richmond mural scene.

Currently she is co-authoring and illustrating a children’s book that celebrates inclusion. Mentoring and dreaming with artists at Milk River Arts informs the work she does inside and outside of her studio.

Barry O’Keefe is a teaching artist from Richmond, Virginia working in printmaking, painting, and public art. Thematically, his work engages with cultural amnesia, neglected public spaces, and the design of the contemporary landscape.

He teaches at VCUArts in Foundations and Communication Arts, and works with several nonprofits in Richmond including Art 180, The Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and Milk River Arts.

Hayden is an artist and illustrator in Richmond, VA. Her work focuses on the magic of kindness, the power of self compassion, and the goodness of community. She works as an Artist Mentor for Milk River Arts, a Content Writer for Bonfire, and a Freelance Artist. She believes wholeheartedly that art is the answer to everything.

Malik Banks is a self-taught painter, clothing designer, graphic designer, and screenprinter who is excited to support and encourage studio artists interested in textiles and design. Malik is the owner and operator of David Rose Visual Design, a boutique clothing company based out of Studio Two Three in Richmond.