Artist Statement: Roots
Art is where I release emotion and speak beyond words. My work explores how mass media shapes isolation, stereotypes, and the erosion of individuality, affecting how we connect with each other and ourselves. Technology has further distanced us from real interactions, making conversation and nature feel foreign.
As an American, my perspective expanded through marriage to my Ghanaian husband. Visiting Ghana multiple times has deeply influenced my work and worldview. I am inspired by the generosity, warmth, and cultural pride I experience there. Fusing both cultures has awakened a deeper appreciation for legacy, identity, and belonging.
Through portraiture and symbolism, I highlight the ways labels and disconnection challenge authentic selfhood. My art invites reflection, encourages reconnection, and honors both my roots and the cultural bridges I have crossed.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION CREDENTIALS
2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), Laguna Beach, CA
2006
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), Laguna Beach, CA
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2010 – current
Beginning Drawing, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
2012 – current
Foundation Drawing & Life Drawing, Cal. State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
2012 – current
Intermediate Drawing and Painting, Ryman Arts, Fullerton, CA
2013 – current
Life Drawing (all levels), Life and Portrait Painting, Cypress College, Cypress, CA
2016 – current
Beginning Drawing, Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC), Menifee, CA
2013 – 2017
Catalyst Workshops at Art Supply Warehouse, Westminster, CA
2014 – 2016
Life Drawing and Freehand Drawing, Cerritos College, Norwalk, CA
2013
Drawing 1 and Drawing 2, Golden West College, Huntington Beach, CA
2011
Two-Dimensional Design, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
2011
Local Color, Top of the World Elementary School, Laguna Beach, CA
2010
Art Fundamentals Grades 2-5, Top of the World Elementary School, Laguna Beach, CA
2008
Fundamentals of Composition and Color, LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA
2008
Teaching Assistantship, Fundamentals of Composition and Color, LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA
2006 – 2007
Graduate Teaching Assistantship, Fundamentals of Drawing, LCAD, Laguna Beach, CA
GUEST LECTURES
2015 – 2023
Guest Lecture: Rancho Buena Vista High School Art Program, Vista, CA
2009 – 2011
Wes Christensen’s Watercolor and Gouache: Pastel Demo, Laguna Beach, CA
2009
Jon Swihart’s Potluck and Lecture: Artist Presentation, Santa Monica, CA
AFFILIATIONS
2024
The Getty Center & Self-Help Graphics, Guest Artist-At-Work
2010
Juror for Infinity Art Gallery Figurative Exhibit
2008 – 2010
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD Non-Profit Committee Member
2008
(CAA) College Art Association
2008
(APA) The Alliance of Professional Artists
HONORS
2025
The 72nd International Artavita Online Art Contest Finalist at the Art San Diego Fair
2023
OC Fair Winner, First Place & Juror’s Award in Professional Pastels, Costa Mesa, CA
2021
OC Fair Winner, First Place in Professional Pastels, Costa Mesa, CA
2018
Sharon D. Lund Master Teaching Artist Award, Los Angeles, CA
2017
OC Fair Winner, First Place in Professional Pastels, Costa Mesa, CA
2010
All the Hearts for All the Kids Winner, Fullerton, CA
2010
Art (Raw) 09 International Juried Competition, Fourth Place Award Winner
2010
Infinity Art Gallery: Winter Expo 2010, Second Place Award Winner
2009
Downtown LA Life Magazine International, Editor’s Choice Award, September Issue
2008
The Pastel Journal: 9th Annual Pastel 100 Competition, Honorable Mention in Portrait and Figure
2001
Veterans of Foreign Wars Mural for the City of Vista, CA
PUBLICATIONS
2024
Orange Community Arts Guild, July
2024
MutualArt, May
2024
Inland Empire Report & Press-Enterprise, February
2020
Art and Cake, February
2011
Locale Magazine, July
2008
Coast Magazine, July
2008
The Pastel Journal Magazine, April
2007
American Artist Drawing Magazine, Fall
EXHIBITIONS/AWARDS
2026
The Orange Community Arts Guild (OCAG) presents 2%: Excellence in Black Artistry, Mission Viejo, CA
2025
Brand Library & Art Center presents Brand 53: 53rd Annual National Juried Exhibition of Works on Paper, Glendale, CA
2025
Art Supply Warehouse presents H2Ohhh! Watercolor Exhibition, Westminster, CA
2025
Orange County Fair presents Find Your Happy Visual Exhibition, Costa Mesa, CA
2013 – 2025
Heather Pilapil’s Gallery: Featured Artist, Temecula, CA
2024
OC Vibe: Exhibiting Artist, Anaheim, CA
2024
Hilton Anaheim, Group Show, Anaheim, CA
2024
Orange County Center for Contemporary Art presents 2%: A Celebration of Black Artistry, Santa Ana, CA
2024
Ryman Arts presents Celebration of the Arts Fundraiser at the Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale, CA
2024
MSJC Art Gallery Presents: MSJC Faculty Exhibition 2024, San Jacinto, CA
2017 – 2023
Orange County Fair, Costa Mesa, CA
2020
SoLa Contemporary presents Women by Women 2020, Depictions and Interpretations by Greater Los Angeles Women, Los Angeles, CA
2017
MSJC Art Gallery presents A Group of One, Kaleeka Bond Solo Show, San Jacinto, CA
2017
Saddleback College presents Past and Present, Faculty Art and Photo Exhibition, Mission Viejo, CA
2016
MSJC Art Gallery presents MSJC Faculty Show, San Jacinto, CA
2016
Cypress College Art Gallery presents Fine Arts Faculty Exhibition, San Jacinto, CA
2016
Studio C Gallery presents Bareback: Symmetry in Motion, Los Angeles, CA
2016
Studio C Gallery presents Let Us Eat Cake: Tier Delight, Los Angeles, CA
2015 – 2016
Angel’s Gate Cultural Center presents Getting’ Off the Ground, San Pedro, CA
2015
Catalyst presents Scholar Unsighted: Kaleeka Bond Solo Show, Westminster, CA
2015
Studio C Gallery presents Water-Line Inspiration for Change, Los Angeles, CA
2015
Cerritos College presents FAE 2015: Cerritos College Faculty Art Exhibition, Cerritos, CA
2014
Studio C Gallery presents The Des Femmes Pop-up Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA
2014
The Lore Degenstein Gallery presents the Sixth Annual Juried Figurative Drawing and Painting Exhibition, Selinsgrove, PA
2014
Surrogate Gallery presents THEM, Pasadena, CA
2012 – 2014
Ryman Arts presents An Affair of the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
2014
M.D. Art Gallery presents In the Image of…, Los Angeles, CA
2014
Studio C Gallery presents Oneira: I Dream the Self: 2nd Annual All Women Artists Group Exhibition, Los Angeles CA
2014
Altadena Library Community Room presents Kaleeka Bond, “Scholar Unsighted”, Altadena, CA
2014
Saddleback College Faculty Art Exhibition, Mission Viejo, CA
2013
Studio C Gallery presents The Disciplines: An Interpretation of the Figure, Los Angeles, CA
2013
Borrego Art Institute presents Summer Show and Sale, Borrego Springs, CA
2013
Borrego Art Institute presents Point of View, Borrego Springs, CA
2013
Borrego Art Institute presents BIG. BOLD. BEAUTIFUL., Borrego Springs, CA
2012
Cruz Gallery: The Cruzade Group Show, Santa Ana, CA
2011
Lark Gallery Online presents Sound Art, San Pedro, CA
2010
Lark Gallery Online Winner and Exhibition Presenter, Long Beach & Yorba Linda, CA
2010
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD’s Alumni Art Exhibition AD 2010, Santa Ana, CA
2010
RAW: Natural Born Artists presents RAWk The Boat, Long Beach, CA
2010
RAW: Natural Born Artists presents Turn-ons, Hollywood, CA
2010
The Brewery Spring Artwalk, Los Angeles CA
2010
LarkGallery Online presents Reaching Inside, Honorary Mention, Long Beach, CA
2010
RAW: Natural Born Artists presents Flavor of Love, Fullerton, CA
2009
Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts presents By the Running Foot, Santa Ana, CA
2009
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD’s Alumni Art Exhibition, A.D. 2009, Santa Ana, CA
2009
The 10 Best of Hidden Treasures and Represented Artists of LarkGallery Online, Second Place, Long Beach, CA
2009
The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery: Open Call LA 2009, Los Angeles, CA
2009
The Brewery Drawing Group presents “The Exhibition of Drawings & Paintings: From the Live Model”, Los Angeles, CA
2008
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD’s Sotto Voce, Santa Ana, CA
2008
Demossa Gallery: LCAD MFA Alumni Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA
2008
Art of Life Coaching presents “How Color Affects Mood” Group Show, Irvine, CA
2008
Koplin Del Rio Gallery: LCAD’s MFA Group Show, Culver City, CA
2008
Gallery 793: Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA
2008
I-5 Gallery: Graduate Solo Show, Los Angeles, CA
2007
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD’s Capturing the Force of Stillness, Best in Show, Santa Ana, CA
2007
The Brewery Spring and Fall Artwalk, Los Angeles, CA
2007
Gallery 793: Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA
2006
Fairhaven Memorial Park and LCAD’s Filling in the Pauses: Moments of Timelessness, Santa Ana, CA
2006
LCAD’s Annual Juried Exhibition, Best of Drawing and Painting, Laguna Beach, CA
2006
Seven-Degrees Gallery: Bachelor of Fine Art Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
2005
Contemporary Chinese Fine Art Gallery: Mentor Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA
2005
LCAD’s Summer Juried Show, Laguna Beach, CA
2005
Gallery 821: Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA
2004 – 2007
Copperwood Artware Gallery, Orange, CA
2001 – 2004
Del Mar Fair Art Exhibition, First Place & Fourth Place, Del Mar, CA
Behind The Scenes
