Note: Don’t worry, you don’t have to read all this below, because I know attention spans are short these days, even mine. That’s why I summed it up above. Lol

But if u’re bored and have some free time you can get a glimpse into my life story.

MY BIO:

Ever since I could remember art was all around me. I grew up in the Caribbean on my beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago, but also lived half the year in Queens, NYC. These two completely different places really shaped my perspective on life and art.  Art was everywhere. From our bright and colorful carnival, the life and energy for most Trinis all year round, to the slightly darker and colder streets of Queens, with graffiti and hip-hop culture engrained in everything around us. Not to mention my whole family was in some way, shape or form, involved in art.

I lived with my grandparents in Trinidad half the year and my parents in NYC the other half.  My grandfather was a  famous sculptor in Trinidad. He worked primarily with copper, and his work sold everywhere. My grandmother was a seamstress. I could still hear the constant sound of her sewing machine and see the clients streaming in and out, telling her what they wanted. On top of that, my mother was a chef and my father was a musician. Art was always destined to be my path.

Early on I discovered I had something that set me apart from other kids in my school… I could draw…really well.  I was always drawing and creating art and always wanted to stay in the know of new innovations and techniques. I taught myself mostly everything. Of course I had help from my family, but, I taught myself photoshop and illustrator (when they first came out, before that I used Paint. If you know, you know. Lol)  I also really loved clothing. I loved to wear things that expressed my personality through graphic art and design, without saying a word.  Whether it be my favorite musician, or game, or team ,or even a product. Also, I really love a funny saying or word that shows my sense of humor a little, or just something that makes you think. It was only a matter of time before I fused my art with my clothes. I used to directly paint or stencil on my clothing things that I loved or cared about or thought was funny. Not much longer after that I figured out how to use my grandfather’s air compressor to airbrush on my own tees. Ever since I was a baby, he used to take me into his workshop to help with a piece he was working on. I was fascinated with the different techniques he used for his sculptures so that evolved into me constantly teaching myself new things. The real switch in my brain came after I taught myself how to make screen prints. I built the screens and the press,  everything! I started to make, and sell my tees everywhere I could. From the trunk of my car, to a little table set up on the streets, and eventually online. I did it all. All the while working different jobs and going to school for finance. Which, as it turns out, I wasn’t very good at. But I was good at art, that’s for sure. After Baruch College I went to Parsons School of design and took art, or anything involving art, as my life, full-time.  I did photography, retouched photos at stock image companies, designed websites, made flyers, album covers, packaging, branding, you name it, I did it. All I knew was that I was going to be an artist, and I was going to make clothes. I knew it way back then. I got my first real job in fashion at a fairly big, mostly tee shirt design shop. I was raw, but talented and it showed. The Design Director, at the time, took a chance on me. That same guy, 20-something years later is one of my closest friends in the world.

I quickly became successful at that job because most of my tees sold exceptionally well. Around the same time I started getting a ton of attention, for my art from other brands in the streetwear game. Big brands. I hustled. One year I paid for myself to go to the magic tradeshow in Vegas. I showed up with my portfolio and went booth to booth, getting contact info and showing them my skills. That hustle got me to freelance for a ton of well-known, and respected brands.

From there I got noticed by an emerging streetwear brand, Parish Nation and became part of the family. I was originally just there to do graphics, but I took the opportunity to learn and teach myself everything I could about fashion. I didn’t want to just do graphics, so I started drawing the bodies as well, constructing the garment from scratch. All the details, fit, trims, techniques, fabrics, tech packs, production, quantities and shipping cost, delivery dates, the whole entire process, start to finish. I soaked it all up over the years, till it became second nature.  That knowledge and hunger made me work my way to becoming the design director and co-creator/partner at Born Fly clothing, which has been going strong for 11+ years now. My journey was a long one, but one I’d do over again in a second. All these things influenced my art style, which is actually, versatility. I can do many different styles across many different medias and genres, and I know the industry very well. I still strive everyday to keep up to date with the ebbs and flows and changes of style in fashion. I believe it is imperative to stay in tune with the younger generation. They set the pace. It’s helpful that I consider myself a kid at heart anyway, and fashion is still very important to me. Gotta stay fresh!

Art will always be a part of me. I love where it took me and I’m looking forward to see where it continues to lead me. Let’s create!