Sometimes we don’t know what’s missing in our lives, until we receive it. Likewise, when we lose something that we once had. We find ourselves trying to fill the void, like a donut hole that’s intentionally left empty, we too make do with a hole in the middle.

These past three years, art has filled me. And it’s led me to this amazing art residency at MassMOCA, where I’m surrounded by a cohort of talented artists.

Here, in North Adams I saw for the first time, the work of Joseph Grigley, a deaf artist.

I had no idea, that his work would turn my world upside down. That I would have such a deep response, and collapse into past feelings of isolation and loneliness, notes of deafness.

Like him, I have hearing loss. Like him, I cannot always communicate effectively in my world, where technology has replaced paper notes with texts and I’m grateful for them.

But the truth is, I momentarily went down the rabbit hole, and could not make work. Having my own studio brought me back quicker than I thought possible. I can honestly say, that had I not had a studio to process and work through my emotions, the results might’ve been very different. So thank you #Assets4Artists

In this space, at MassMOCA, I returned to myself, transformed and made the work, a triptych to tell my story of hearing loss, the last song that I heard in stereo…

#art #artresidency #arttransformation #contemporaryart #massmoca #assets4artists #artcohort #artistssupportartists #artcreatescommunity

Woke. Crawled out if bed. Thank God, still here.

Just a reminder, every day isn’t sunshine & rainbows. Some days are pure trudgery, filled with uncertainty & sadness. Disappointed by loved ones & let down by people I don’t know. It’s exhausting.

Sometimes, I cry in the shower. Where no one can hear or see my tear streaked face. I’ve grown accustomed to bathroom tiles and mold. I’ve been to unpleasant places and endured unimaginable pain.

I’ve had storms pass through my body and got slammed by nature’s hurricanes. In utter darkness, I’ve gotten into bed, my blankets turned down, afraid that I wouldn’t wake up. Night sweats and dreams it seems, are similar things.

Yesterday, was filled with more doctor appointments and disappointments. I missed phone calls, couldn’t respond to texts and wished I wasn’t alone. But there I was. Sitting in another waiting room, looking for answers, knowing there isn’t a cure. Standing in line, hoping to keep this disease in check… under and never in control.

And then the receptionist said my name, and looked up. As if a lightbulb had gone off. She had seen my artwork on TV, on NBC’s, “Found” She was so animated! She talked about how much she loved the show. She couldn’t believe that Gabi Mosley kept Sir in the basement, she loved the storylines, she loved the chemistry between the actors and she said it gave her hope, that all people deserve to be found.

Of course I thanked her for watching, as if it were mine 🙂 And I agreed with everything, all of it. Smiling and nodding my head, suddenly in that moment I was free of the pain that typically plagues me.

Free. It always happens when I’m talking about my art, or when I’m painting. I know that art heals, I’m a living witness. Art is salve. Art saves us, art can save you, art saved me.

Like I said… I woke up this morning. Crawled out of bed. Still here. So grateful, Et tu?

#artissalve #art #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #artcommunity #kunst #artcreatescommunity #newenglandarts #faychandleremergingarts #groupexhibition #artexhibition #soloexhibitions #NkechiOkoroCarroll #ShanolaHampton #DeManeDavis #Boston #pianoCraftGallery

2023✔️ What an amazing year! In great part, because so many people wished it for me last December 3. I’m so grateful 🙏🥰

Today, as I do my year in review, the first thing I noticed, was that the number 3 was so prevalent.

3 days ago, I received the #faychandleremergingart award. Thank you @artsinboston curated by @juniperrag

3 days ago, I was notified that one of my paintings is included in a print magazine @womenunited_art_magazine & available on @Amazon.

3 months ago, I was awarded an @MassMOCA fellowship residency in N. Adams.

At the same time, I was showing in a 3 artist group exhibition with #exhibitmates & now friends @ivan.brens @mattbrackettart . Curated by Queen @adcoran

I had 3 individual studio visits, each time I gained valuable insights into the art world. Thank you, @intlchristine @erik.grau @chenoab_

I had 3 solo art shows, @newtonfreelibrary @artpcgboston @club123

And I was interviewed 3 times, once by @virginiavcannella, once by @newtvmediacenter & my favorite @wicnpublicradio with @thegins & @notjustawriter.

And then there was the awe-inspiring tv moment, when I watched gobsmacked, as 14 of my works were featured in episode 2, #FoundNBC @shanolahampton @kech99 @demanedavis Thank you Queens! Streaming @peacock

Indeed, wishes do come true. Keep smiling. Keep believing & most importantly, keep being you. You are appreciated 🙏 ❤️

• art #groupexhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #artcommunity #kunst #artcreatescommunity

“She’s Arriving. Right on Time”
My homage to women.

Just a friendly reminder, that we’re not hands on a clock, made to stop. We can keep moving.

I’m so proud of myself! And although it would be nice, I don’t need likes and follows on social media or accolades. It took a long time for me to get here, and it wasn’t because the Orange line was running late.

It took me over six decades, but here I am, that is… I’ve arrived.

I suppose that I had a lot of other stuff to do, like changing diapers, kissing boo-boos, and chaperoning at school dances. Magically, that’s all forever done💯.

I use to climb telephone poles in Boston. I’d sit on top with my D-Loop belt latched, my gaffs dug in, my legs locked and I’d look over my beloved city. The picture perfect views from Fort Ave.

Years later, in 2020, I was declared the breakout artist of Project Billboard in Boston, where my painting was installed meant to beautify the neighborhood.

I’ve exhibited around the country. My art has been seen by millions, airing in solo exhibitions on two television shows— #FoundNBC & #CWNaomi now streaming.

This year, I had three solo art exhibitions. I’ve been awarded grants and most recently I received a MassMOCA fellowship residency in N. Adams.

But right now, what I’m most proud of is having my work included in the Fay Chandler Emerging group exhibition at Boston’s CIty Hall. I’ve come home.

Scollay Art Gallery
Boston City Hall
Nov 15 – Dec 30
Opening reception Nov. 30th at 6 -7:30pm

Full disclosure… If I’m making it look easy, it’s intentional.
I want little girls to see me and try. If I’m shining, it’s by design. I want mothers who are faced with the drudgery of laundry, cooking and raising kids to know, there’s so much more after that.

Keep going. Keep moving, “don’t stop like the hands on a clock”. Trust, you’ll arrive and it’ll be right on time.

• #art #groupexhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #artcommunity #kunst #bostonartists #artcreatescommunity #newenglandarts

• #throwbackThursday

I was just thinking… What were you doing?

I’m living my ordinary life extraordinarily and I’m so grateful. I now understand what it means to be alone in a room full of people. Because I understand that I see most clearly, when my eyes are closed & I’m not being distracted.

We all have a story, by sharing it we help one another. My public art journey started three short years ago, after I was told by a NYC gallerist that my artwork would never be shown anywhere, because I don’t have any art training. He said that I was an outsider #outsiderart

Looking back, I realize that my art journey could’ve ended right there with his harsh words. Except I’m old & my skin has grown thick like a shield, protecting me. The younger me might’ve been hurt & deflated. And his words meant to stop me, might’ve worked…

But instead, I smiled & walked away. I wasn’t even offended. How could I be? He, who hadn’t even taken time to get to know me. To be clear, no stranger should have the power to derail your dream. Am I right?

So here I am. Since 2020, I’ve had three solo art exhibitions, one on TV. My solo art work has been on two billboards in Boston, once on a digital billboard in the downtown theater district. My art has been invited to show in 22 group exhibitions around the country. It has been featured on television & in newspapers, like the @bostonglobe. I’ve even had my work flown on a banner in Colorado and this year I was the proud recipient of a Visual Art Grant from @masscultural

So far, I’ve had two studio visits by renowned art gallerists (I don’t have a studio). And in three months I’ll begin my 4 week art residency fellowship @massmoca wait… what?!?

And if I’m making it look easy, it’s because I want a little girl to see me & think, she can too.

I was just thinking. What were you doing?

#art #artexhibition #soloexhibition #contemporaryart #galleryhopping #culture #artculture #artistssupportartists #artcreatescommunity #powerofculture #visitartgalleries #buyart #kunst #bostonartgallery #bostonartscene #museumsfromhome #artcommunity #technygalleries

“An immersive experience” is how one friend described my solo exhibition at the Piano Craft Gallery on Tremont St. in Boston, which opened on August 4th and runs thru Aug 13th.

“Snapshot stories” another patron smiled. But it was my sister, who drew my attention to the patterns I paint. She said they’re beautiful repetitions and I should do more of that. I was reminded of my attachment to their use, how patterns are all around us, and if we take time to pause and see them, they make us smile.

Another dear friend shared a more religious perspective, she said “You were just minding your own business painting, and look what happened!” And threw her hands up to gesture at the totality of the exhibit, the quantity and quality of the work.

“SOL- Smiling Out Loud, The Art of Listening” is a collection of fifty paintings by DaNice D Marshall, and curated by Erik Grau, Director of the Piano Craft Gallery. After the installation went up, Erik walked around the open spaced gallery and counted each person that was depicted in DaNice’s art work.

“Three hundred and thirty six!” He announced smiling. And he hadn’t included us, me and my husband, in the final tally. It made me realize, if no one else came to see my work, that technically, I could claim 339 people had been in the gallery with me during my solo exhibition 😉

Someone asked me what does it feel like… having a solo exhibition in Boston. Honestly, I feel outside of myself. As if I’m watching someone else’s life. Even more so, because I was born and grew up in Boston.

And then there’s this simultaneous expansion going on, that is I have two paintings showing at the Krikorian Gallery in Worcester, and next week I’ll have work showing at the Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art, located in Augusta, GA. Next month two paintings will be at a gala in Pennsylvania and later during September I’ve been invited to a three artists exhibition at New Art Corridor in Newton, MA.

To me, life is a learning curve and I’m riding the top of a wave right now. I’m humbled by the number of people who have encouraged me, who have helped me and supported my art. I’m in love with the world right now & this life, which began rather ordinarily, which I now live extraordinarily.

The MFA is my dream goal and my mantra is a line from Robert Frost’s poem, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”:

I’ve “…miles to go before I sleep.”

If you get a chance, please stop by a gallery. This one, or a gallery near you. Seeing art in an art gallery is mind expanding. There’s something about being up close and personal that touches the human soul in such a beautiful & profound way. Like a plant needs water, we need art to dream & grow.

#SOL #powerofculture #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

#functionalart

Remember that time, when the opening scenes in Episode 4, of “Naomi” was airing on The CW & streaming on HBOMax?

That was my art. I didn’t scream it from the rooftops back then, but if you don’t mind, I’ll do so now.

Perhaps, one of the hardest parts about becoming an artist for me, has been the humility and vulnerability that I feel, when my work is showing. It’s an odd pair, this dichotomy of excitement & anxiety… seeing my art on television last February blew my mind, it still does. But today I’m sharing it proudly, with gratitude 🙏

There’s something special about seeing paintings up close and in person. While it was lovely to see so many of my pieces on television, it’s better to see them hanging on a wall.

I’m so honored to have two paintings included in “Artists on Fire” curated by Juniper Rag and in group exhibition showing in Worcester MA July 21 – August 12th. Opening Reception will be July 21st 4pm – 9pm.

My forthcoming solo exhibition will be in Boston August 4 – 13th, at Piano Craft Gallery. If you’re around, please stop by. The show’s opening Reception is Aug 4 @ 6pm – 8pm.

#myart #throwbackthursday #Naomi #art #exhibition #artexhibition #groupexhibition #soloexhibition contemporaryart #culture #artculture #artistssupportartists #artevent #artcommunity #visitartgalleries #buyart

None of us, has one singular moment in time, in which we become our true selves. Instead, there’s a cumulative effect, millions of minutes in which, if we’re lucky, our transformation takes place. We learn in hours that become days, that become weeks, and then we mark these in years.

The human experience— learnt moments full of joy and sorrow. The straight path seems easy, while the bends in life become learning curves, that strengthen our character and build upon our resolve and help us flex our muscles as a reminder, that strength is the rawest form of power.

And if we sort it out, there is a story within us, a story of magnificent proportions. These bits and pieces are what makes each of us special. And I’m so glad to have met so many special human beings in my lifetime.

So my bucket list is full of your names, names of those who’ve made a difference in my life. I quietly thank you for being kind and supportive of me. And in case you didn’t hear… here I am again, with my arms wide and my heart open, this message is to everyone & anyone who’s shared their time, shared their world, offered me hope, took an extra minute to listen to me and smiled at me:

You are truly appreciated 🙏❤️

#bucketlist #artjourney #onward

O’ Live Life Musically🎶

“Her- Just Being Jazzy”
40” x 30”

There’s something about the syncopated rhythm of jazz that moves me. Foot tapping. Finger snapping. Head Bopping to the beat. Et tu?

olive4jazz #powerofculture #artcreatescommunity #art #exhibition #artexhibition #contemporaryart #artistssupportartists #technygalleries #artcommunity #femaleartists #bostonartists #dopeart #museumsfromhome #painting

Isn’t it amazing, how music has a way of bringing us all together? And as we’re immersed & touched by song, we can forget all our worries. It’s then, out on the dance floor that we are free. We’re not on the internet, caught up on social media, not staring down at our phones, and we’re not worried about the nonsense that happened the day before… because in that moment, when we dance, we’re free. Spinning, hair flying, finger snapping & toe tapping. Imagine that.

🎶Roller Coaster🎶. Say what! Exhilarating 💯

#Dancing #ohioplayers #whenwedance #contempoaryart #art #noworrries