Free at birth 
36x48

Limited edition framed, hand signed and numbered paper print of 25
 
This piece was commissioned by the “Texas Historical Commission for the historic Levi Jordan Plantation.
This piece speaks to the spiritual and emotional meaning of Juneteenth  the moment when freedom was finally recognized for enslaved African Americans in Texas/Brazoria county, even though that freedom had always belonged to them through birth and humanity. the painting bridges the painful reality of slavery with the hope, dignity, and resilience of those who endured it.
On one side, a formerly enslaved family stands together in unity and anticipation, their expressions filled with relief, faith, and possibility. The children symbolize future generations finally able to dream beyond bondage and imagine lives shaped by opportunity rather than oppression.
At the center of the family stands a pregnant mother, representing transition, hope, and generational freedom. While she herself endured the weight of slavery, the child she carries will be born free — untouched by the chains that defined the lives of those before them. Her presence embodies the deeper emotional significance of Juneteenth: not only freedom for the present generation, but the beginning of a new future for those yet to come. The unborn child becomes a symbol of promise, dignity, and the possibility of life shaped by liberty rather than bondage.
On the opposite side, Union soldiers read the order announcing emancipation, representing the historic arrival of freedom to Texas after years of delayed justice. The document becomes more than a proclamation; it becomes a turning point in American history and a moment of transformation for countless families.
The white doves flowing throughout the composition symbolize peace, liberation, and the human spirit rising beyond oppression. The circular forms and vibrant colors connect past and present, reminding viewers that freedom is not only a historical event, but also an ongoing journey of healing, remembrance, and empowerment.
This work honors the strength and perseverance of the ancestors whose endurance transformed suffering into hope, creating a legacy that continues through every generation that follows.