Like many African Americans, I do not know from which country my African ancestors originated. To fill this void, I look for connections to African spiritual traditions and images in a variety of cultures. Once I find imagery that resonates within, I interpret and absorb them to make them my own. The paintings in this series are inspired by art from Benin, Samburu, Maasai, and Bamileke, and other African cultures. I am exploring symbolism, icons, affects and effects that resonate within. By doing so, I seek a bond with those cultures as I try to demystify my past.