ARTIST STATEMENT:
On a global level, I create to express the voices of the oppressed. Many think of them as silent, because we so rarely hear their opinions. They are not silent, they are unheard. Their lack of education and finances prevent them from speaking to the powerful who shape and reform societies.

On a personal level, my art is a visual representation of journal entries. It reflects:My art is a visual representation of journal entries. It reflects:

• the pain of watching aging relatives transition into death
• the wonder of motherhood
• the awe of watching my body work as a machine: creating and sustaining life
• the joy of age that allows me to say I am beautiful
  --simply because I Am

My chosen art form is digital poetry where I fuse photos, colors, words, lights and thought.

WHY teejexposed?

There are NO monsters ... just feelings

So, why did I choose the name teejexposed?

I am exposing myself. Is it scary? Yes. Why do it? Life can be hard and sometimes cruel. By sharing myself, I pray I can help someone else understand she is not alone and there are others who have travelled similar paths and conquered them.

These pieces are about conquering. They are not about survival. They are about overcoming.

I composed some of the pieces in the last few months, while I composed others decades ago.

I will not apologize for the pieces. I will warn you they are pretty raw. In composing them, I have healed emotional wounds. They reflect major transitions and struggles:

• moving from childhood to adulthood
• understanding what it means to be "a person of color"
• exploring sexuality
• becoming a mother
• redefining myself outside of my parents' boundaries
• defining myself as:
  ... a woman
  ... a wife
  ... a mother
  ... a writer
  ... an artist
  ... a winner.

These pieces have caused friends to laugh, cry, feel angry, etc. They may touch upon your insecurities and pains. I pray that at least some of the pieces spark your emotions. This "sparking" is when I have touched your soul and exposed you.

These pieces are not about other people. As I said earlier, there are no monsters here. These pieces are about ME and MY feelings. In many ways, these pieces are pages from my life's journal.

So, if I haven't scared you off, let's get naked!

Signed, teej