Roots

       Mickalene Thomas work really stands out to me because her inspiration  as she states in this article https://www.wexarts.org/exhibitions/mickalene-thomas-i-cant-see-you-without-me came from not seeing the strong black women who raised her depicted in art history while pursuing her fine art degree at Pratt Institute and Yale University. I like how she paved the way for herself in creating beautiful self portraits that would not technically include herself in it but in some way still represent her. For example she will photograph women that resembles her in skin color then switch up the attire to her own attire and accessories that represents her. She also has a signature of using rhinestones which I think is pretty cool.
      I also admire how Mickalene Thomas takes a picture of her potential subjects which are women she admires or look up to and then transforms it into a self portrait. In these paintings she uses a lot of color, rhinestones .. a lot of them which is her signature stamp. Everything she uses and puts in these paintings symbolizes herself, which in turn would basically make it a self portrait. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm3XvKd_KPs     
      For my selfie self portrait I decided to use myself and portray my nationality and background that you will not tend to notice unless I tell you my name. In this self portrait I am wearing a type African clothing which is referred to as "lace" and this attire comes in so many different patterns and colors that you can imagine. It usually comes with extra material so you can be also be able to tie your hair. In this self portrait people of the same background and nationality will be able to relate and those who are not will be learning something new and seeing something that they might not see on a daily basis.