In a world that often stifles the unconventional, I’ve always embraced my role as a misfit and risk-taker. Defying norms has never been about validation for me. Instead, it’s a rebellion against the constraints that seek to define my flyness.

We navigate a patriarchal landscape riddled with familiar biases and “isms,” and the arts, despite their claims to the contrary, have long upheld these restrictive standards. With the weight of these labels pressing down, I recognized that my path would be fraught with challenges — challenges that I knew would involve inevitable trials that I would have to not only disrupt and dismantle but also set ablaze.

Perhaps it all started with those energetic ’80s Sesame Street opening credits. I saw reflections of myself and my neighborhood friends — running through parks, skipping stones, engaging in games of double-Dutch and hopscotch, all while Mister Rogers looked straight into the camera to remind me how special I truly am. This, combined with the strength of my mother and the women around me who quietly alchemized limited resources into endless possibilities, profoundly shaping my viewpoint.

As an artist, the allure of creative freedom and range of self-expression drew me in, while the glaring absence of representation within the field compelled me to pursue the arts as a profession.

With my blow torch in hand, I stay ready to ignite new trails, providing a clearing to those who seek alternative routes forward.

I show up for myself, and in doing so, I find ways to uplift others. The inception of Martyr Sauce began in the summer of 2011. After exploring various art scenes across the United States and abroad, I realized that conventional white-box galleries didn’t represent the only viable career path. So, I forged my own. What started as a modest gallery evolved into a thriving underground artistic hub, complemented by its street-level counterpart, the Martyr Sauce Pop Art Museum (MS PAM). Over the past decade, I’ve championed countless extraordinary artists through Martyr Sauce and various institutions, all while tirelessly making space for my own artistic pursuits.

Having been the first person, woman, Black woman to accomplish one thing or another in Seattle’s art scene is a testament to how much work needs to continue. With a career spanning more than 20 years, my time in Seattle has marked the first occasion where I’ve truly engaged with a community of women in leadership. Two luminaries that come top of mind are Vivian Phillips and Sandra Jackson-Dumont.

From my beginnings as a painter, I’ve diversified my portfolio to include photography, large-scale installations, and blown glass, transforming my brick-and-mortar space into a television show, “Thank you, MS PAM.” As I reflect on the alchemy required for me to blast through bolted-down roadblocks, I acknowledge the incredible women who have wielded sledgehammers alongside me, forging a new path forward.

Currently, I’m putting the finishing touches on my debut book, Who Raised You? A Martyr Sauce Guide to Etiquette, while preparing for my upcoming solo exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum titled Venus is Missing. With my blow torch in hand, I stay ready to ignite new trails, providing a clearing to those who seek alternative routes forward.

This feature is part of our annual Trailblazing Women series, honoring 10 women who turn challenges into progress and lead with courage, vision, and grit.