July 29, 2025 • 20 mins
Welcome to another episode of Project Red Cord Chronicles, where we celebrate hope and support survivors in pursuing their dreams. We’re excited to introduce Kay Kay, a new artist unveiling her unique work to the public for the first time. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey and creative process.
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(00:01):
You are listening to Project RedCourt Chronicles a podcast of
the Renee Jones EmpowermentCenter.
Welcome to this edition ofProject Redco Chronicles.
We are so excited today tointroduce you to a special
(00:22):
guest, Calisa, who is a clientof the Renee Jones Empowerment
Center.
And we want to share with youher story, her journey, and the
wonderful artist that she is.
(00:46):
Welcome, Calisa to the ProjectWe Record podcast.
How are you doing today?
Great.
Can you share with our audiencea little bit about your
background?
I would sit on the bed and dosome drawing, and I would go
downstairs to show my mother howgood of a artist I was.
But to be honest, nobody neverreally believed in my art.
(01:10):
I would show my mother it andtell her, Hey.
I would like to go to artschool, and she never really
listened to me or told me, oh, Ilove it.
Yes, I would never get that fuelfrom her.
So I would go back upstairs andone thing that I would never
lose is just believing inmyself.
(01:31):
When it came to being an artist,I never gave up on myself.
I took myself back upstairs andI was the person that had to
tell myself that I can do it.
Nobody else would tell me that.
So once I went back upstairs, Idid my drawing, and every single
time I did a scribble or anytype of anything, I would just
(01:52):
let myself know that I can doit.
But any other time that I wouldshow my mother that type of
painting or drawing, she wouldnever listen or hear me out.
She's an artist herself, but itjust never came.
To her that, Hey, I wanna go toart school, or, Hey, I wanna
(02:13):
pursue this dream, or it wasnever clicking through her.
But I made sure that I neverlost that hope.
I always stayed with it.
I always got in tune with it.
Anytime I would feel overwhelmedby daily stressors with being
with family or being withanybody, I just go upstairs,
close that door, put some musicon, and just tune right into my
(02:34):
art.
That's wonderful.
And so you didn't give up onyourself?
No.
Which was powerful.
Yes.
And you believed in yourself,which is very powerful.
Yes.
Because that's so important.
Yes.
You talked about when you were achild, but when did the moment
come that you really wanted topursue or seriously?
So growing up, like I said, whenI was nine years old, growing up
(02:56):
continuing on with life and nomatter what I went through, I
just always loved art.
And what made me get realserious is when about 15, 16
years old, I just knew that Ineeded to start taking it
seriously.
Not just taking a piece of paperand just.
(03:16):
Drawing things.
I'm talking about steppingoutside of my comfort zone,
something that I've never donebefore.
Not just putting, not justexpressing feelings on a piece
of paper.
I'm talking about shaping mywhole reality.
On just one piece of paper, Iwould take booklets.
Anytime I would go to the storeand I'm serious, I would go to
the store.
(03:37):
Dollar Tree, any type of storethat's in my area and take a
booklet and just drawing it allday long.
And when I'm in my room and I'mdrawing, my family members will
come in.
Whoa, why you in this room?
What you doing?
I'm drawing.
So when I'm drawing, I tuneeverything out.
Everything just comes past me.
And I knew when I was 15 or 16years old, I felt like that
(03:59):
right there.
Yeah.
Let alone I just knew that Iwanted to take that serious.
It was time to stop playingaround.
It was times to stop.
Joking around, thinking aboutwhat could go wrong or what
could go bad.
None of that didn't matter.
When I drew, I just drew and Ifelt so much better afterwards.
And the feeling and the factthat after I got finished
(04:20):
drawing, I felt so much better.
That's what kept me going.
Wow.
Yes.
That is wonderful.
Yes.
You've been coming to the centera couple years now, and we first
got introduced to your art andwe were really amazed seeing
your art and our art therapysessions just part of the art
therapy.
We began to really see your workas you began to feel comfortable
(04:42):
and show us the different artthat you had created.
How has your art evolved overthese last couple years.
Okay, so first off, prayer iseverything.
I started from drawing on paper.
It was just, little stacks ofpaper.
I'm talking about 300 pieces ofpaperwork, nothing but designs,
(05:03):
abstract drawing on them.
I went from drawing on the paperto being inspired to draw and
take it on a canvas.
It ain't start off on thecanvas.
It starts straight on the paperdrawing every single last piece
of paper.
I would go to the store and grabwhite booklets of paper and draw
from top to bottom all thethrough all the papers.
(05:25):
And then I was inspired, okay,draw that on the canvas.
Once I started drawing on thecanvas, then I figured out that
I can not only just put drawingson the paper, but I can also put
it on the canvas.
I started doing lines.
Designs different type ofstrokes and different type of
ways to do my art.
(05:46):
It has evolved from me goingfrom doing it on the paper to
understanding that I can alsotake this type of work and put
it on canvases, coverseverything.
Anything you can put yourartwork on, covers, canvases,
you can put it on anything thatyou can put your mind to shoes.
Evolving for me was putting iton a paper then on a canvas and
(06:10):
many more to come.
Yes.
That's awesome.
I remember you with those stacksof papers Yes.
When you first came, that's howwe got introduced to your art.
It is been a pleasure to watchyou evolve.
Yes.
Since you've been here goingfrom paper to canvas and
creating some really magnificentart pieces.
The next question I have for youis the art and the process.
(06:33):
How would you describe yourartistic style?
My artistic style is abstract.
I like different when, first ofall, when I draw, I like doing
white and black because it's, itpops out.
It's like a unique style that Ilove doing.
I will go on Google and I wouldlook up abstract, but not only
(06:54):
that, I would not look just upabstract.
I would look up abstract linesdoodling, because.
I got my inspiration fromdoodling.
I would always, what is thatline?
What is that they're drawing?
I would go on Google or go onInstagram and I would always see
people doing doodling, theselittle circles and lines and
different type of shapes orcolors.
(07:15):
And when I did that and I got myinspiration from that, the
internet, then my style becamelines.
I figured out, whoa.
I like lines, I like differentpatterns everywhere that I would
go.
I would look at different lineson the walls or different
patterns, and I just knew rightthen and there, that was my
style.
That was the only thing thatmattered to me.
(07:36):
So when I took that piece ofpaper, took some lines and
started drawing, I figured outright then and there, this is
called Abstract line Art Lineworks.
So yes.
I remember seeing your work andbeing amazed at the work that
you were creating with thoselines.
It was very unique.
Yes.
What materials or mediums do youprefer to work with and why?
(08:00):
When I'm on a canvas, I have a20 by 24 canvases, Uhhuh.
The paints that I work with isacrylic pour, acrylic paint, I
get my stuff from Michael's, butit's acrylic paint.
I work with acrylic pour withdifferent type of gold, silver.
Sometimes I would paint thebackground in gold, and once I
(08:21):
paint the background in gold,then I would wait till that dry
and then start going on with aSharpie.
I love Sharpie.
Shout out to Sharpie.
I've been doing Sharpie for somany years for me as a artist, I
love the texture of it, the wayit bleeds, it's just beautiful.
When I take my Sharpie, I drawon the canvas, do my circles and
my lines, and it just comes outso beautiful.
(08:44):
So yes, Sharpies acrylic paint,and I also do acrylic pore.
So mixture of both of those.
And the sharpie for some of ourinternational listeners.
So that's like a marker?
Yes.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yes.
Do you have a specific ritual orroutine when you're creating
art?
Yes.
Before I start doing any type ofart, it could be paper, it could
(09:07):
be anything.
I sit on my couch and say, God,please.
I don't have any type ofinspiration right now, but.
Can you please just give me theinspiration to get up and know
exactly what to draw?
Don't give me the power to justunderstand that.
Soon as I get into that drawing,everything will be okay.
(09:29):
Just relax, sit down and justthink.
But I would pray.
Prayer is everything.
I pray before I draw.
I pray before I get frustratedand don't know what to draw.
If I get frustrated, I just prayand say, Hey, I can do this guy.
I need your help.
'cause I can't do anythingwithout you.
So once I get finished praying,I go on the table, I take my,
(09:52):
take that black Sharpie, it's ablack Sharpie.
And when I do that, before youknow it, the canvas is done
within an hour.
Once I get finished with it, Idon't even know how I did it.
I just know that it's from God.
Yes.
So yes, it's wonderful.
We are excited because you'regonna have your first art show
here at the center.
(10:14):
It's gonna be in September, wewanna talk a little bit about
your upcoming show.
'cause it's really important forother people to see your
magnificent art.
We've been seeing it.
Now it's time for everyone elseto get a chance to see what
you're creating.
How does it feel knowing you'reabout to showcase your work for
(10:35):
the first time?
It feels amazing.
It feels great.
It lets me know that it's hopeout there.
And I want to also make peoplefeel welcome when they look at
my art.
When people see my art, I wantthem to look at that canvas and
be like, wow, that's amazing.
I want a message to showthrough.
Like whatever you going throughin life.
(10:57):
Whatever you can't express outyour mouth, you can put it on a
piece of paper or on a canvas.
With a new art show coming up, Ifeel amazing.
I feel inspired, I feel like I'mready to do this.
Yes, I feel motivated.
Driven.
Yes.
That's wonderful.
you have lots of art.
How do you think you're gonnachoose which pieces will be
(11:19):
displayed in your first show?
I will be choosing a fewdifferent pieces Some abstract
pieces that I have, some pieceswith lips on'em and some with
designs all over'em.
not just one thing.
Multiple pieces differentcolors, gold, black, sharpie,
everything.
They're beautiful.
A mixture so people can see thevariety Yes.
(11:41):
You had a collection of lips,Yes.
When you first started.
I know people will ask you whatinspired you for the different
pieces we're hoping will findout more about what inspired you
at your art show.
We're excited for you toshowcase.
what's been the biggestchallenge preparing for the art
show?
Yes.
My biggest challenge preparingfor the art show is It'll be my
(12:04):
first art show, so me justbelieving that I can do it.
Yes.
That will be a challenge becauseI don't have a lot of things or
people in my life to let me knowI can do it.
Yeah.
I do have a couple of peoplethat are very inspiring.
Just keep me going but thebiggest thing that I need to be
worrying about when there's achallenge is just prayer before
(12:26):
I even walk in that room.
I need to be praying.
So when those challenges comeon, oh, I can't do it, or Oh, I
don't feel like, or I don'twanna, I need to knock that
outta my mind and understandthere are people out there that
are willing to see my artworkand that are willing to sit
there and, get some type ofgreat positive emotion outta my
(12:46):
art.
Yes.
Yes.
The center.
Is going to help you do yourfirst show?
Yes.
You have the support of thecenter and the clients that
come, and how does that make youfeel?
That makes me feel amazing,first of all, to even be in a
place that's so inspiring justbeing around so many positive
people that has hope in me thatalone makes me feel amazing.
(13:10):
Somebody actually cares aboutme.
Yeah.
And willing to spend the timeand dedication this ain't no
game, it's people that's reallystruggling out here.
So for this center to invitepeople and let you know that
everything is gonna be okay andwe got you.
That is just beautiful.
Oh, that's wonderful.
That's what we want.
(13:30):
Yes.
That makes me feel amazing.
Top tier.
That's wonderful.
How do you hope the audiencewill feel and react when they
see your work?
I want them to feel welcoming.
When they look at my piece, Iwant them to know I can do this.
This is really nice, but I wantthem to go home and understand
that I can do this.
(13:52):
This is very inspiring.
You can go inside of a art galaor anywhere and look at some
type of art and be like, okay,that's really nice.
I really wanna do that.
But it's people that are walkingin there and don't have that
type of drive to be like, oh, Ican't do that.
That's the first thing that cometo their mind.
But when you sit there and youreally look at that piece of
(14:14):
artwork.
I want you to feel like there'ssomething out there for you.
Anytime you feel mad, sad,somebody done made you upset.
When you walk inside of thisplace and you look at my art, I
want your whole perspective tochange.
It don't matter whateverhappened, when you look at this
art you gonna feel like youbelong here.
That's what I want people tofeel like.
Like you belong here and feellike when I get outta this
(14:36):
place, I'm gonna do what shedid.
I can do it.
So an inspiration to others iswhat you want your art to
display.
I want you to smile.
I want you to look at that artpiece and just blush that's
wonderful.
Being inspirational to othersand letting them know they too
can follow their passions and dothings.
Yes.
How important it is to havesupport.
And people that believe in you.
Yes.
(14:56):
Have you had any meaningfulconversations with people about
your work?
Yes, I have had very meaningfulconversations with people,
especially, being around a lotof inspiring people.
I've went live on TikTok withartists lately.
I have actually built a artisticcommunity on my TikTok, when I
(15:17):
go on there, I go live and Idraw with other people and they
just describe how they work.
Their work has evolved over timeand how it has inspired them to
just keep going and finddifferent strokes.
Now, understanding that thislittle piece, yes, I can create
this little piece, but how bigcan I go?
To the point where I just belike, okay, I can conquer this
(15:39):
and do anything.
That's wonderful.
And it's wonderful to be able toshare that with other artists.
Other artists, yes.
Looking ahead, what's next foryou after this show?
Yes.
I'm gonna keep getting myinspiration from,, everywhere I
look, I don't care if it's asmall little piece of art and
it's sitting in the corner.
No matter where I go I'm gonnaget some type of inspiration.
(15:59):
And I always keep in the back ofmy mind, what's next?
What's next is me taking myselfto that store, grabbing some
more canvases after the show,and keep on creating.
Don't never let life get in theway of what I need to be doing.
Because when I was a littlegirl, I knew exactly where I
needed to be at.
(16:19):
God made sure I knew exactlywhere I needed to be who I
needed to go to and what Ineeded to be doing.
So while I'm here, on planetEarth, I understand that I have
a mission to be chasing.
Just like everybody else in theworld, you have a mission to
chase and you're not just onthis earth to sit down.
No, that's not what God putpeople on this earth for.
(16:40):
He put me on this earth.
To keep going to that store, tokeep buying them canvases and to
keep creating, to just keep ongoing.
After my shows, I'm definitelygonna have some more inspiration
coming just by paying attentionand looking for what God need me
to do.
I know you have anotheropportunity coming up where
you've been invited by anotherartist.
(17:02):
To join them at a art show.
Yes.
So how do you feel about that?
Ooh, I feel amazing very amazingthat I even get the chance.
I've never been on nothing likethat ever before.
I've never sold a piece of artor in this spot and everybody's
looking at, wanna buy my art.
I've never been in that type ofposition before.
(17:24):
So to even be there.
I'm just honestly appreciative.
Not too many people get on thatday, I already know that I'm
gonna keep on moving forward andfeel the best that I can feel
and and keep on and not.
Sitting there having doubts, oh,nobody's gonna buy my order.
When you get that type ofopportunity.
(17:45):
You take it head on.
Yeah, stand there and be like,okay, I'm gonna do this.
This is what's gonna happentoday.
And that's gonna be that.
And that's the motivation Iwanna give everybody before you
even sell a piece of paint andyou pray and say, God, please
just show me the way.
Once you tell him to show youthe way, you'll be fine.
(18:05):
That's wonderful.
What advice would you give toother aspiring artists who are
just starting out?
Keep going.
Keep on going.
Don't stop.
I don't care if somebody tellyou, you can't do it, or, you're
not gonna make it Uhuh, becauseI'm telling you, I done heard so
many people that told me thatfor example, my own mother, just
(18:27):
keep on going.
I don't care if your mother'snever take you anywhere in life.
When you get older and you leaveyour parents' house at that
point in time, you control yourown destiny, not your mother,
your sister, your brother.
Don't nobody control yourdestiny.
At that point, you control yourown destiny.
So once you step foot outdoors,you start to feel like, oh, I
can't do it, or, oh, I'm notgonna make it.
(18:48):
Uhuh.
You don't need to be thinkinglike that.
That's how you don't getnowhere.
You gotta sit there and have ahead on thought, I can do it.
Just keep on going.
Don't let nobody discourage you.
Don't be around nobody that'sgonna discourage you because
that's the first mess up.
So just keep going.
Don't be around nobody that'sdon't put you down.
Always be around people.
That's inspire you to keep ongoing and to keep on doing it.
(19:11):
Because around those people,you're gonna go home and be
like, I don't care what you say,or I don't care what this person
say.
I'm going to pursue my destinyand this is how I'm gonna take
it on.
Once you do that, you will befine.
Just keep on going.
That's my word of advice.
Yes.
Don't stop.
Because the minute you stop isthe minute you miss your
blessings and opportunity.
Yes.
Just think about that when youfeel down.
(19:33):
Yes.
I think that is some beautifulinspiration.
Yes.
And words of advice to encourageother people no matter what
they've been through, traumapeople that don't believe in
you, whatever it is.
Number one, believe in yourselfand keep pursuing your passion
and your gifts.
Thank you Khalisa, for sharingwith our audience today.
(19:53):
Yes your passion for art.
We are very excited to beorganized and getting everything
together for other people to geta chance to see.
Your beautiful artwork.
Yes.
Thank you for joining us todayfor this episode of Project Red
Chronicles.
Thank you.
I appreciate you to even have meon here is a blessing itself,
(20:14):
thank you so much.
You are listening to Project RedCourt Chronicles a podcast of
the Renee Jones EmpowermentCenter.
Welcome to this edition ofProject Redco Chronicles.
We are so excited today tointroduce you to a special
(00:22):
guest, Calisa, who is a clientof the Renee Jones Empowerment
Center.
And we want to share with youher story, her journey, and the
wonderful artist that she is.
(00:46):
Welcome, Calisa to the ProjectWe Record podcast.
How are you doing today?
Great.
Can you share with our audiencea little bit about your
background?
I would sit on the bed and dosome drawing, and I would go
downstairs to show my mother howgood of a artist I was.
But to be honest, nobody neverreally believed in my art.
(01:10):
I would show my mother it andtell her, Hey.
I would like to go to artschool, and she never really
listened to me or told me, oh, Ilove it.
Yes, I would never get that fuelfrom her.
So I would go back upstairs andone thing that I would never
lose is just believing inmyself.
(01:31):
When it came to being an artist,I never gave up on myself.
I took myself back upstairs andI was the person that had to
tell myself that I can do it.
Nobody else would tell me that.
So once I went back upstairs, Idid my drawing, and every single
time I did a scribble or anytype of anything, I would just
(01:52):
let myself know that I can doit.
But any other time that I wouldshow my mother that type of
painting or drawing, she wouldnever listen or hear me out.
She's an artist herself, but itjust never came.
To her that, Hey, I wanna go toart school, or, Hey, I wanna
(02:13):
pursue this dream, or it wasnever clicking through her.
But I made sure that I neverlost that hope.
I always stayed with it.
I always got in tune with it.
Anytime I would feel overwhelmedby daily stressors with being
with family or being withanybody, I just go upstairs,
close that door, put some musicon, and just tune right into my
(02:34):
art.
That's wonderful.
And so you didn't give up onyourself?
No.
Which was powerful.
Yes.
And you believed in yourself,which is very powerful.
Yes.
Because that's so important.
Yes.
You talked about when you were achild, but when did the moment
come that you really wanted topursue or seriously?
So growing up, like I said, whenI was nine years old, growing up
(02:56):
continuing on with life and nomatter what I went through, I
just always loved art.
And what made me get realserious is when about 15, 16
years old, I just knew that Ineeded to start taking it
seriously.
Not just taking a piece of paperand just.
(03:16):
Drawing things.
I'm talking about steppingoutside of my comfort zone,
something that I've never donebefore.
Not just putting, not justexpressing feelings on a piece
of paper.
I'm talking about shaping mywhole reality.
On just one piece of paper, Iwould take booklets.
Anytime I would go to the storeand I'm serious, I would go to
the store.
(03:37):
Dollar Tree, any type of storethat's in my area and take a
booklet and just drawing it allday long.
And when I'm in my room and I'mdrawing, my family members will
come in.
Whoa, why you in this room?
What you doing?
I'm drawing.
So when I'm drawing, I tuneeverything out.
Everything just comes past me.
And I knew when I was 15 or 16years old, I felt like that
(03:59):
right there.
Yeah.
Let alone I just knew that Iwanted to take that serious.
It was time to stop playingaround.
It was times to stop.
Joking around, thinking aboutwhat could go wrong or what
could go bad.
None of that didn't matter.
When I drew, I just drew and Ifelt so much better afterwards.
And the feeling and the factthat after I got finished
(04:20):
drawing, I felt so much better.
That's what kept me going.
Wow.
Yes.
That is wonderful.
Yes.
You've been coming to the centera couple years now, and we first
got introduced to your art andwe were really amazed seeing
your art and our art therapysessions just part of the art
therapy.
We began to really see your workas you began to feel comfortable
(04:42):
and show us the different artthat you had created.
How has your art evolved overthese last couple years.
Okay, so first off, prayer iseverything.
I started from drawing on paper.
It was just, little stacks ofpaper.
I'm talking about 300 pieces ofpaperwork, nothing but designs,
(05:03):
abstract drawing on them.
I went from drawing on the paperto being inspired to draw and
take it on a canvas.
It ain't start off on thecanvas.
It starts straight on the paperdrawing every single last piece
of paper.
I would go to the store and grabwhite booklets of paper and draw
from top to bottom all thethrough all the papers.
(05:25):
And then I was inspired, okay,draw that on the canvas.
Once I started drawing on thecanvas, then I figured out that
I can not only just put drawingson the paper, but I can also put
it on the canvas.
I started doing lines.
Designs different type ofstrokes and different type of
ways to do my art.
(05:46):
It has evolved from me goingfrom doing it on the paper to
understanding that I can alsotake this type of work and put
it on canvases, coverseverything.
Anything you can put yourartwork on, covers, canvases,
you can put it on anything thatyou can put your mind to shoes.
Evolving for me was putting iton a paper then on a canvas and
(06:10):
many more to come.
Yes.
That's awesome.
I remember you with those stacksof papers Yes.
When you first came, that's howwe got introduced to your art.
It is been a pleasure to watchyou evolve.
Yes.
Since you've been here goingfrom paper to canvas and
creating some really magnificentart pieces.
The next question I have for youis the art and the process.
(06:33):
How would you describe yourartistic style?
My artistic style is abstract.
I like different when, first ofall, when I draw, I like doing
white and black because it's, itpops out.
It's like a unique style that Ilove doing.
I will go on Google and I wouldlook up abstract, but not only
(06:54):
that, I would not look just upabstract.
I would look up abstract linesdoodling, because.
I got my inspiration fromdoodling.
I would always, what is thatline?
What is that they're drawing?
I would go on Google or go onInstagram and I would always see
people doing doodling, theselittle circles and lines and
different type of shapes orcolors.
(07:15):
And when I did that and I got myinspiration from that, the
internet, then my style becamelines.
I figured out, whoa.
I like lines, I like differentpatterns everywhere that I would
go.
I would look at different lineson the walls or different
patterns, and I just knew rightthen and there, that was my
style.
That was the only thing thatmattered to me.
(07:36):
So when I took that piece ofpaper, took some lines and
started drawing, I figured outright then and there, this is
called Abstract line Art Lineworks.
So yes.
I remember seeing your work andbeing amazed at the work that
you were creating with thoselines.
It was very unique.
Yes.
What materials or mediums do youprefer to work with and why?
(08:00):
When I'm on a canvas, I have a20 by 24 canvases, Uhhuh.
The paints that I work with isacrylic pour, acrylic paint, I
get my stuff from Michael's, butit's acrylic paint.
I work with acrylic pour withdifferent type of gold, silver.
Sometimes I would paint thebackground in gold, and once I
(08:21):
paint the background in gold,then I would wait till that dry
and then start going on with aSharpie.
I love Sharpie.
Shout out to Sharpie.
I've been doing Sharpie for somany years for me as a artist, I
love the texture of it, the wayit bleeds, it's just beautiful.
When I take my Sharpie, I drawon the canvas, do my circles and
my lines, and it just comes outso beautiful.
(08:44):
So yes, Sharpies acrylic paint,and I also do acrylic pore.
So mixture of both of those.
And the sharpie for some of ourinternational listeners.
So that's like a marker?
Yes.
Okay.
Yeah.
Yes.
Do you have a specific ritual orroutine when you're creating
art?
Yes.
Before I start doing any type ofart, it could be paper, it could
(09:07):
be anything.
I sit on my couch and say, God,please.
I don't have any type ofinspiration right now, but.
Can you please just give me theinspiration to get up and know
exactly what to draw?
Don't give me the power to justunderstand that.
Soon as I get into that drawing,everything will be okay.
(09:29):
Just relax, sit down and justthink.
But I would pray.
Prayer is everything.
I pray before I draw.
I pray before I get frustratedand don't know what to draw.
If I get frustrated, I just prayand say, Hey, I can do this guy.
I need your help.
'cause I can't do anythingwithout you.
So once I get finished praying,I go on the table, I take my,
(09:52):
take that black Sharpie, it's ablack Sharpie.
And when I do that, before youknow it, the canvas is done
within an hour.
Once I get finished with it, Idon't even know how I did it.
I just know that it's from God.
Yes.
So yes, it's wonderful.
We are excited because you'regonna have your first art show
here at the center.
(10:14):
It's gonna be in September, wewanna talk a little bit about
your upcoming show.
'cause it's really important forother people to see your
magnificent art.
We've been seeing it.
Now it's time for everyone elseto get a chance to see what
you're creating.
How does it feel knowing you'reabout to showcase your work for
(10:35):
the first time?
It feels amazing.
It feels great.
It lets me know that it's hopeout there.
And I want to also make peoplefeel welcome when they look at
my art.
When people see my art, I wantthem to look at that canvas and
be like, wow, that's amazing.
I want a message to showthrough.
Like whatever you going throughin life.
(10:57):
Whatever you can't express outyour mouth, you can put it on a
piece of paper or on a canvas.
With a new art show coming up, Ifeel amazing.
I feel inspired, I feel like I'mready to do this.
Yes, I feel motivated.
Driven.
Yes.
That's wonderful.
you have lots of art.
How do you think you're gonnachoose which pieces will be
(11:19):
displayed in your first show?
I will be choosing a fewdifferent pieces Some abstract
pieces that I have, some pieceswith lips on'em and some with
designs all over'em.
not just one thing.
Multiple pieces differentcolors, gold, black, sharpie,
everything.
They're beautiful.
A mixture so people can see thevariety Yes.
(11:41):
You had a collection of lips,Yes.
When you first started.
I know people will ask you whatinspired you for the different
pieces we're hoping will findout more about what inspired you
at your art show.
We're excited for you toshowcase.
what's been the biggestchallenge preparing for the art
show?
Yes.
My biggest challenge preparingfor the art show is It'll be my
(12:04):
first art show, so me justbelieving that I can do it.
Yes.
That will be a challenge becauseI don't have a lot of things or
people in my life to let me knowI can do it.
Yeah.
I do have a couple of peoplethat are very inspiring.
Just keep me going but thebiggest thing that I need to be
worrying about when there's achallenge is just prayer before
(12:26):
I even walk in that room.
I need to be praying.
So when those challenges comeon, oh, I can't do it, or Oh, I
don't feel like, or I don'twanna, I need to knock that
outta my mind and understandthere are people out there that
are willing to see my artworkand that are willing to sit
there and, get some type ofgreat positive emotion outta my
(12:46):
art.
Yes.
Yes.
The center.
Is going to help you do yourfirst show?
Yes.
You have the support of thecenter and the clients that
come, and how does that make youfeel?
That makes me feel amazing,first of all, to even be in a
place that's so inspiring justbeing around so many positive
people that has hope in me thatalone makes me feel amazing.
(13:10):
Somebody actually cares aboutme.
Yeah.
And willing to spend the timeand dedication this ain't no
game, it's people that's reallystruggling out here.
So for this center to invitepeople and let you know that
everything is gonna be okay andwe got you.
That is just beautiful.
Oh, that's wonderful.
That's what we want.
(13:30):
Yes.
That makes me feel amazing.
Top tier.
That's wonderful.
How do you hope the audiencewill feel and react when they
see your work?
I want them to feel welcoming.
When they look at my piece, Iwant them to know I can do this.
This is really nice, but I wantthem to go home and understand
that I can do this.
(13:52):
This is very inspiring.
You can go inside of a art galaor anywhere and look at some
type of art and be like, okay,that's really nice.
I really wanna do that.
But it's people that are walkingin there and don't have that
type of drive to be like, oh, Ican't do that.
That's the first thing that cometo their mind.
But when you sit there and youreally look at that piece of
(14:14):
artwork.
I want you to feel like there'ssomething out there for you.
Anytime you feel mad, sad,somebody done made you upset.
When you walk inside of thisplace and you look at my art, I
want your whole perspective tochange.
It don't matter whateverhappened, when you look at this
art you gonna feel like youbelong here.
That's what I want people tofeel like.
Like you belong here and feellike when I get outta this
(14:36):
place, I'm gonna do what shedid.
I can do it.
So an inspiration to others iswhat you want your art to
display.
I want you to smile.
I want you to look at that artpiece and just blush that's
wonderful.
Being inspirational to othersand letting them know they too
can follow their passions and dothings.
Yes.
How important it is to havesupport.
And people that believe in you.
Yes.
(14:56):
Have you had any meaningfulconversations with people about
your work?
Yes, I have had very meaningfulconversations with people,
especially, being around a lotof inspiring people.
I've went live on TikTok withartists lately.
I have actually built a artisticcommunity on my TikTok, when I
(15:17):
go on there, I go live and Idraw with other people and they
just describe how they work.
Their work has evolved over timeand how it has inspired them to
just keep going and finddifferent strokes.
Now, understanding that thislittle piece, yes, I can create
this little piece, but how bigcan I go?
To the point where I just belike, okay, I can conquer this
(15:39):
and do anything.
That's wonderful.
And it's wonderful to be able toshare that with other artists.
Other artists, yes.
Looking ahead, what's next foryou after this show?
Yes.
I'm gonna keep getting myinspiration from,, everywhere I
look, I don't care if it's asmall little piece of art and
it's sitting in the corner.
No matter where I go I'm gonnaget some type of inspiration.
(15:59):
And I always keep in the back ofmy mind, what's next?
What's next is me taking myselfto that store, grabbing some
more canvases after the show,and keep on creating.
Don't never let life get in theway of what I need to be doing.
Because when I was a littlegirl, I knew exactly where I
needed to be at.
(16:19):
God made sure I knew exactlywhere I needed to be who I
needed to go to and what Ineeded to be doing.
So while I'm here, on planetEarth, I understand that I have
a mission to be chasing.
Just like everybody else in theworld, you have a mission to
chase and you're not just onthis earth to sit down.
No, that's not what God putpeople on this earth for.
(16:40):
He put me on this earth.
To keep going to that store, tokeep buying them canvases and to
keep creating, to just keep ongoing.
After my shows, I'm definitelygonna have some more inspiration
coming just by paying attentionand looking for what God need me
to do.
I know you have anotheropportunity coming up where
you've been invited by anotherartist.
(17:02):
To join them at a art show.
Yes.
So how do you feel about that?
Ooh, I feel amazing very amazingthat I even get the chance.
I've never been on nothing likethat ever before.
I've never sold a piece of artor in this spot and everybody's
looking at, wanna buy my art.
I've never been in that type ofposition before.
(17:24):
So to even be there.
I'm just honestly appreciative.
Not too many people get on thatday, I already know that I'm
gonna keep on moving forward andfeel the best that I can feel
and and keep on and not.
Sitting there having doubts, oh,nobody's gonna buy my order.
When you get that type ofopportunity.
(17:45):
You take it head on.
Yeah, stand there and be like,okay, I'm gonna do this.
This is what's gonna happentoday.
And that's gonna be that.
And that's the motivation Iwanna give everybody before you
even sell a piece of paint andyou pray and say, God, please
just show me the way.
Once you tell him to show youthe way, you'll be fine.
(18:05):
That's wonderful.
What advice would you give toother aspiring artists who are
just starting out?
Keep going.
Keep on going.
Don't stop.
I don't care if somebody tellyou, you can't do it, or, you're
not gonna make it Uhuh, becauseI'm telling you, I done heard so
many people that told me thatfor example, my own mother, just
(18:27):
keep on going.
I don't care if your mother'snever take you anywhere in life.
When you get older and you leaveyour parents' house at that
point in time, you control yourown destiny, not your mother,
your sister, your brother.
Don't nobody control yourdestiny.
At that point, you control yourown destiny.
So once you step foot outdoors,you start to feel like, oh, I
can't do it, or, oh, I'm notgonna make it.
(18:48):
Uhuh.
You don't need to be thinkinglike that.
That's how you don't getnowhere.
You gotta sit there and have ahead on thought, I can do it.
Just keep on going.
Don't let nobody discourage you.
Don't be around nobody that'sgonna discourage you because
that's the first mess up.
So just keep going.
Don't be around nobody that'sdon't put you down.
Always be around people.
That's inspire you to keep ongoing and to keep on doing it.
(19:11):
Because around those people,you're gonna go home and be
like, I don't care what you say,or I don't care what this person
say.
I'm going to pursue my destinyand this is how I'm gonna take
it on.
Once you do that, you will befine.
Just keep on going.
That's my word of advice.
Yes.
Don't stop.
Because the minute you stop isthe minute you miss your
blessings and opportunity.
Yes.
Just think about that when youfeel down.
(19:33):
Yes.
I think that is some beautifulinspiration.
Yes.
And words of advice to encourageother people no matter what
they've been through, traumapeople that don't believe in
you, whatever it is.
Number one, believe in yourselfand keep pursuing your passion
and your gifts.
Thank you Khalisa, for sharingwith our audience today.
(19:53):
Yes your passion for art.
We are very excited to beorganized and getting everything
together for other people to geta chance to see.
Your beautiful artwork.
Yes.
Thank you for joining us todayfor this episode of Project Red
Chronicles.
Thank you.
I appreciate you to even have meon here is a blessing itself,
(20:14):
thank you so much.
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