At a time where diversification wasn’t as open and accepted as it may be today, in 1988, a model by the name of Naomi Campbell become the first black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue Magazine. And later becoming one of the most famous models of her time.

My very first time seeing Naomi was in the late great Michael Jackson’s music video “In the Closet”. I feel incredibly blessed many years later to now have had the opportunity of drawing her. Over two thousand photographic images studied and countless video footages watched. I felt I had a sufficient amount of material to capture Naomi Campbell in a way I felt depicted the essence of her beauty outwardly as well as within.

It’s always difficult for me to let go of one of my drawings. With the time and energy invested it’s inevitable that a connection and an attachment will be formed. Each portrait drawing takes a month on average to complete. 8 to 14 hours a day (100+ hours total). This drawing in particular took over 200 hours and was drawn during a period of immeasurable change in my personal life.

I am tremendously grateful to have been commissioned to draw this woman. This drawing was made with love so I trust that love and light will be added unto the home it now resides.