portfolio
Chandra
Davis
Artist & therapist
Bio
“self portrait” gouache, 2023
“untitled” Oil, 2009
I am an artist and therapist.
I began my journey as an artist studying fine arts at Howard University. The university's rich legacy and the profound contributions of Black artists, ignited my passion for creativity and exploration. Many years later, I discovered my passion for art therapy—a transformative modality that merges art and healing to empower others on their journey towards wellness and self-discovery.
I’ve spent the last 16 years of my professional life working as an art therapist and psychotherapist helping clients find healing and mental wellness—working with them to create a more meaningful life.
While working as a therapist, I have maintain my artist identity, working with watercolor, gouache, oil, and mixed media.
work
“entropy” 2008
“Asp” 2010
“Sun, Moon, rising” 2010
My watercolor paintings delve into the realms of mythology and cosmology, weaving vibrant tales of ancient gods and celestial wonders with each brushstroke. Through my art, I aim to capture the essence of these timeless narratives and evoke a sense of wonder and connection to the mysteries of the universe.
“Growth” 2009
Watercolor
“Life is more important than art; that's what makes art important.”
-James Baldwin
“When serpent Healed Bird | A Dream I had on May 13, 2007” 2008
Mixed
Media
“Alma & Icon” 2001
Mixed media holds a special place in my heart as a dynamic form of expression, allowing me to blend various materials and techniques to convey complex emotions and concepts. Through the layering of diverse elements such as paint, collage, and found objects, I can create multidimensional works that resonate with depth and texture, inviting viewers to explore and interpret my art in their own unique way.
“Nero” 2012
“Opportunity & chance” 2011
My family, friends, loved ones, and ancestors serve as my eternal wellspring of inspiration, infusing my artwork with their stories,
emotions, and names. With each element, I honor their legacies and celebrate the profound connections that bind us across time and space.
“Sorting under the baobab tree” 2023
“naming my ancestors 1799 to 2022”
Gouache
“the lovers” 2021
“The high Priestess” 2022
“yemoja” 2020
Using gouache, I delve into the concepts of "Motherhood|Womanhood” through the versatile medium of gouache, infusing each stroke with my own interpretation and experience.
“I will carry this burden of hope til the laments of my newborN is heard”
(blue) 2021
In addition, I wove together imagery from the Yoruba tradition to the spiritual practices of the Indigenous people of the Mississippi valley, reflecting my spiritual heritage which mirrors the African Diaspora, a fusion of African and European traditions and indigenous practices. Adorned with Black Church iconography and subtle HooDoo symbols, my artwork embodied the complex intersection of faith and ancestral magic.
With gouache, I move beyond traditional representations, crafting a narrative that reflects the intricacies and profound experiences of the maternal bond through depictions from the African Diaspora.
“BRIDGING THE MOON, BIRTHING SUNS” 2020
“Ishki” 2024
“a trail of Red across the waters” 1999
“across for the telegrafico”
hotel | cuba 2002
Acrylic & Oil Painting
Painting with oil allows me join together my experiences, blending the vivid hues of my travels with the captivating essence of notable individuals. Each brushstroke tells a story, drawing from the depths of literature and history to create a narrative that resonates with both the past and the present.
“che | Cuba” 2002
“untitled” 2000
From distant landscapes to intimate portraits, my canvases become portals to worlds where imagination and reality intertwine, inviting viewers to embark on a journey through temporal and spatial.
“silence” 2001
“I dream a dream that dreams back at me | toni morrison” 2022
Education
Experience
howard University
BFA in Fine Arts
Summa cum laude 2002
george washington university
MA in Art Therapy
2007
“The artist has to be something like a whale swimming with his mouth wide open, absorbing everything until he has what he really needs.”
-Romare Bearden
“I will carry this burden of hope
til the laments of my newborN is heard”
(Red) 2019
chandra@mindbodyarttherapyllc.com
Website
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