Female artists are so overlooked in the fine arts industry.
If being a woman wasn't enough, there is also the fact that I am an African American female artist in an underserved community of artists. Black artists only represent about 7.5% of the working artists, as opposed to the 77.6% of white working artists. The number for female working artists is extremely low, and it's even lower for formally trained black women. It seems to make no difference whether women have been trained traditionally or non-traditionally. We are all pushing against the norm to be seen and respected as artists.
It took a while to realize that I was swimming against the tides. In order to attain my personal goal of becoming a recognized artist, I would need to find courage and take unorthodox and nontraditional routes.
I deeply understood that the traditional system was designed not to allow me a seat at the table. About 8 years ago, I began creating bodies of work inspired by nature and my cultural spirituality. My fairies and mermaids are Afrocentric and unique. I have been proud to contribute to the conversation of Afrofantasy and Afrofuturism with my art. I believed that surface design would provide my art with the opportunity to receive exposure and become the doorway for future fiber art projects I have in the works. I hope more ppl speak up about the unfairness  of this industry.