I started making art with art therapy. It's what I know how to do. I got a lot of criticism for that when I was in school. But I think it works for me. Mickalene Thomas artcriticismlot Change image and share on social
I am proud to be able to exhibit my work and inspire young people. Especially young black women so they know that they are beautiful, that they don't have to hold onto any negative stereotypes. Mickalene Thomas beautifulblackexhibit Change image and share on social
I don't see myself as a photographer. I still see the photographs and collages as a resource for the painting. Mickalene Thomas collagepaintphotograph Change image and share on social
The first painting I remember selling was 'Panthera.' I made it while I was in residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the museum actually purchased it directly from me. Mickalene Thomas directlyharlemmake Change image and share on social
To see yourself, and for others to see you, is a form of validation. I'm interested in that very mysterious and mystical way we relate to each other in the world. Mickalene Thomas forminterestmysterious Change image and share on social
When I decided to go to art school, it wasn't necessarily something I thought I needed. No one talked about graduate school when I was an undergrad. I went on to a residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem, and that transition from Yale to the Studio Museum, that was the real beginning of my professional career. Mickalene Thomas artbegincareer share on social
You know, the emotion - it comes in my art. The kind of person I am, I can deal with things, and I do and I can, but I'm not a crier. Mickalene Thomas artcrierdeal Change image and share on social
When you look at death, it makes you understand the importance of the moment when you have life and death in front of you, and you witness seeing someone deteriorating in front of you - it's an overwhelming experience. If you don't learn from that, I don't know what else you're gonna learn. Mickalene Thomas deathdeteriorateexperience share on social
I remember when I first saw Whoopi Goldberg doing standup, and she was wearing a sheet on her head, basically pretending to be this little white girl with long luxurious blonde hair. Everyone can relate to that. It's an oral history of black women's lives through laughter. Mickalene Thomas basicallyblackblonde share on social
All of my experiences modeling, acting, doing theater, it's all in the work now. And the work freed me to transform myself. Mickalene Thomas actexperiencefree Change image and share on social