Pastel and cut paper 18 x 24 in

I start with a blue pastel and lightly smear the raw stick onto the blank page. My hands naturally move in sporadic motions. From this abstract blur, I changed my hold on the stick, shifted the colors, and grazed the layout bond until this image emerged. 

What I love about chalk pastel is the ability to dance between a wild blaring of sounds and a controlled note on the surface. I wanted to enhance this contrast in my approach to the chalk pastel medium with other elements in the composition. So, I took a blade to paper, outlined a border contrasting the soft background, and mounted it on a blackboard—a fun studio session.

Ubuntu is an African philosophy that emphasizes the interconnectedness of people with their communities and the natural world. The word "ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are" or "humanity towards others.”

This piece speaks to that concept and subtly questions human interconnectedness solely with the “natural world.”  Where does the digital world fit into ancient wisdom?