Reflections from Sardinia: A Creative Return to Self

I traveled to Italy earlier this year from April - May 2025 and spent a month at a residency - Nocefresca - in Sardinia, Italy, was a beautiful reset—both personally and professionally. Each time I step away from Atlanta’s intensity, I find a different kind of clarity. Here, without the noise, I could hear myself again. I remembered who I am at my core: an artist, a connector, a healer. And as I approach my 35th lap around the sun, I feel wide open to where this compass of purpose might guide me next.

Make it stand out

Creatively, this residency invited me to shed the pressure of fitting into the mold of the “most sought-after creative.” Instead, I found myself re-rooted in the mission that has always called to me: to tell the stories of those often left out of the frame, and to photograph identity so powerfully that it reminds us all of the hero within.

Sardinia is full of quiet brilliance. In the small village of Milis, I found artists living humbly and passionately, building community from scratch. I met elders who shared stories of resilience—of citrus groves passed down through generations, of olive oil made with care, and of cobblestone streets lined with prestigious Queen Anne’s Lace that blooms wild and free. Here, I found peace. I found a refined sense of community and civic devotion.

As a Black woman from the American South, bringing my creative lens to this village sparked deeply thoughtful conversations around image-making, representation, and intention. It was an honor to teach a marketing workshop to local growers, makers, and curious historians. I had no idea how needed this offering would be until I saw the courtyard filled with eager minds—even those who couldn’t find a seat stood outside, listening closely as I spoke on authenticity, origin stories, and the power of visual storytelling. Today, I still see the ripple effects in their feeds, in their messages of gratitude, and in the generous offerings they’ve given me—fruit from their land, treasures from their artisan shops.

I closed my time in Sardinia by opening my door and sharing my work in progress portrait series, Afronauts, a project born in 2019 that explores identity, expansion, and cultural belonging. I also focused my camera on the people of Milis and the true works of art that I felt them to be as I create garden portraits of them—faces full of joy, pride, and wonder.

This journey reminded me of the singular fingerprint I carry. As I return to Atlanta, I carry with me the tranquility of this place, the harmony of shared purpose, and a renewed alignment with the work that calls me forward. I’m not just creating for myself—I’m creating for those who need to feel seen, heard, and remembered.