I picked up a camera because it was my choice of weapons against what I hated most about the universe: racism, intolerance, poverty. I could have just as easily picked up a knife or a gun, like many of my childhood friends did... most of whom were murdered or put in prison... but I chose not to go that way. I felt that I could somehow subdue these evils by doing something beautiful that people recognize me by, and thus make a whole different life for myself, which has proved to be so. Gordon Parks 1912-2006 Mr. Gordon Parks used a camera to fight what he hated the most and I use my sewing machine and fabric. These are the times when I can feel almost hopeless but then I look at what those who came before me did to make positive changes in this world. I look at the barriers that stood in their way and I read about how they defeated them. If they tried there is no way I can say this is too hard. I am so thrilled to announce that my first artwork using the incredible photographs of Gordon Parks as a source will debut with the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery @jeffreydeitchgallery this June at Art Basel @artbasel Switzerland! This quilted Art work titled Mobile Madonna is just the first in my new series. The entire collection will debut at the Gordon Parks Foundation @gordonparksfoundation and the Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in NYC ,tba. *There is zero paint on this artwork Mobile Madonna (inspired by Mobile, Alabama 1956 by Gordon Parks) 2022 Cotton, silk, wool, velvet and lace Quilted and appliquéd 97” x 45” Photo by @johnnyjbutler_ *fabrics by @vlisco @freespiritfabrics , thread by @superiorthreads #bisabutler #gordonparks #jeffreydeitch #blackmoms #artbaselswitzerland #achoiceofweapons #quilt #dutchwax #vlisco #howarduniversity #moorlandsprignarncenter #fightracism #enddiscrimination #blackmaternalhealth