Affirm Black Women Portrait Series: René Brooks
“Guard your yes with your life.” - René Brooks
Diagnosed with ADHD several times in childhood it wasn’t until age 25 that René Brooks finally received the treatment she needed. When Brooks attempted to find information on adult ADHD, particularly as a Black woman she found very few resources.
ADHD is predominately diagnosed in young white boys. Reasons for this range from damaging stereotypes, discrimination, social stigmas, and the fact that symptoms manifest differently in girls. Women are more likely to be diagnosed later in life.
Brooks’ experiences inspired her to create the resources and awareness she wanted to see in the world via her blog Black Girl Lost Keys. She uses the motto “Guard your yes” to encourage women to maintain healthy boundaries and prevent burnout.
Follow René Brooks:
Twitter - @blkgirllostkeys
Instagram - @blackgirllostkeys
Website - blackgirllostkeys.com
View the complete Affirm Black Women portrait series here
Excited to announce a collaboration with the Portland Stamp Company to create a series of limited edition artist stamps!
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” - Amanda Gorman
Going epic for this next portrait. At 36” x 48” it’ll be my largest portrait painting to date.
“White folks. When racism happens in public - YOUR SILENCE IS VIOLENCE.” - Leslie Mac
“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” - Amanda Gorman
Sneak peek at a new portrait. This will be painted in acrylic on a smooth gessoed wood panel. Acrylic is still a relatively new medium for me and it feels like turning my brain inside out.
“Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat.” - Cicely Tyson
“We cannot afford to be tired or cynical. The cost is too great to let someone else write our story or erase our progress.” - Stacey Abrams
I’m more comfortable behind the brush or camera rather than the subject but my good friend, fellow artist, and remote coworker Alex Kujawa challenged me to post an #ArtVSartist.
Introducing the Phenomenal Black Women Memory Matching Game! Your favorite portraits and inspirational quotes are now an interactive educational card game.
“…I have dedicated my career to ensuring that the words engraved on the front of the Supreme Court building— ‘Equal Justice Under Law’—are a reality and not just an ideal.” — Ketanji Brown Jackson