Tom and Jerry in the 1950’s has always been my favorite cartoon show, even till this day. The art style and animation were so smooth and ahead of its time which fascinated me. Although it was a little violent for 4-year-old Taylor, she absolutely fell in love with it. One day, while watching my daily episodes of Tom and Jerry, I paused the television and started sketching what I saw onto my whiteboard. Since then, drawing has become a constant passion for me. My Mother has been so encouraging in my artistic journey. She has nurtured my wild creative mind for over 15 years and her support and love from a young age have instilled in me the confidence to explore and express my creativity. My Granddad’s influence was just as significant. Before he died, he would give me tips and tricks about how to improve my artwork. He would also tell me inspiring stories about how he drew a lot while he was in the military. His perspective on life and art has definitely shaped my approach to creative storytelling. Online, I follow a diverse group of artists who significantly impact my work. Itshunnib for their focus on inclusivity and representation; Cosmiccanvass for their humorous and whimsical approach; Samdoesarts for their educational artistic content; Solostrations for their unique style; Blackbean_cms for their usage of different mediums; Indaviduall for their lovely way of storytelling; and Rawsueshii for her overall beautiful artwork. Each of these influencers has enriched my artistic vision, encouraging me to experiment, flourish, and push the boundaries in the art community as a young black girl. Upon graduation, I plan to use my artistic skills by actively collaborating with other artists and experimenting with various mediums. Working with fellow creatives will allow me to combine different perspectives and techniques with mine, which will lead to unique projects and new friendships. By exploring a range of materials and methods, from traditional to digital, I aim to create art that will be remembered for generations. This approach will not only enhance my own artistic practice but also contribute to the art community with more African American artwork. My artistic skill stands out because I, as a Black Female artist, create art specifically for Black Women. There is a noticeable lack of representation of Black Women in the art industry, and my work aims to fill that gap by reflecting our experiences; beauty; pain; and cultural identity that resonates with us. My work aims to provide an artistic voice for Black Women, celebrating our unique perspectives and stories in a way that is rarely seen in mainstream art. I love to capture the kinkiness of our hair, the curviness of our bodies, and the beautiful melanated shades of skin we all have. I’ve come a long way since my Tom and Jerry days. I often think about where I’d be if I were not given the chance to watch the cartoon. The love for Tom and Jerry has blossomed into an art career that will never deteriorate. I am so grateful for this gift from God, and the support from family, friends, and my talented fellow artists. I hope to share my gift with other little black girls and boys who want to put their creative work into the art industry, whether it’s being a costume designer, makeup guru, screenwriter, or especially an artist, just like me.