2024-2025. Oil on canvas. 
 
This painting takes place inside a smoothie shop local to Rochester, NY called B+Healthy Fresh Food Market. The figure sitting on the stool is a local fashion designer who came to this smoothie shop often as a kid, and still does now that he's older. His friend works behind the counter as well. 
 
The direct eye contact from the figures and the immediacy of the space makes us (the viewer) feel like we are in the same smoothie shop. Maybe the smoothie is for us. We are welcomed into this space, maybe noticing the variety of textures around us: the countertop, wood grain, tiles, and camo jacket. 
 
Often in my work I try to depict real people and real places that are important to them. This is a blackowned, vegan smoothie business that's thriving in Rochester, but maybe gets overlooks by other things. People who have a connection to real places, with hopes and dream of their own, building community and letting others in.