A Goddess In A Garden: The Story Behind My Largest Gallery Canvas (Thus Far)

July 9, 2026

Transforming the Jungle into a Garden: A Visual Prayer for Expansion

I remember painting this in 2024 and just navigating the tricky dichotomy of personal expansion and divine stillness.

I questioned: “How do I receive the intuitive downloads from the divine when life feels hectic and my dreams feel so close but yet so far?” I thought about biblical depictions of sovereign women like Esther, but also the story of Ruth.

There Ruth was working in the fields and overcoming heartbreak and grief, when nearly suddenly her life changed for the better. It was in that moment that she performed the potent alchemy that ultimately led to the birth of Christ generations later. In her despair she was able to still transform life’s twisted jungle into a beautiful garden of hope.

Even in the spiritual folklore of Ifa philosophy, I source inspiration from the story of Oshun and her ability to entice and attract from a grounded place of stillness and sensuality. If you are unfamiliar with the indigenous spiritual beliefs native to many ethnic groups in Nigeria, Oshun is the revered Yoruba goddess of fresh waters, love, fertility, beauty, and prosperity. She represents everything that flows—including rivers, wealth, and motherhood—and she is often celebrated as the “mother of sweet things."

The composition of this painting speaks to my universal intention across all my work to honor the divine feminine power of African and indigenous women. My art is ultimately a celebration of our spiritual connection to nature and the cosmos. In this vein, the subject of my painting is crowned with a native bowl embellished with rhinestones, instead of a traditional crown.

Why? Because I believe that in moments of darkness and confusion, it is our ability to receive the warmth, inspiration, and direction from our divine creator that is the real jewel. To BE a container for light to flow into is the most beautiful embodiment of regality a woman can assume in this harsh jungle of a society.

So I guess for me, Goddess in a Garden is a visual reminder to be still and know that the glory is in me. I am crowned with a divinity that can never run dry no matter what life may throw my way. In the wilderness I must pause to bring my hands together in a prayer of gratitude. I must water my mind with thoughts of expansion.

It is my visual reminder to be anxious for nothing and expectant for miracles always. I love this work so much and it was a bit of a challenge initially to work with raw un-stretched canvas and transform it into a masterpiece I am proud of. But I did it! My art practice continues to show me my capacity for expansion, and I have learned that is something you cannot rush.

I am excited for this piece to live in the space of a collector who needs a reminder of their own innate glory as well. I’m also excited to make larger works in the near future!