This hand-drawn portrait of a Black woman captures a powerful moment of self-embrace and unfiltered joy. With her head tilted back in laughter and arms wrapped protectively around herself, she radiates strength, freedom, and deep self-love. The bold, contrasting colors - burning orange and electric turquoise - amplify her energy, making her presence impossible to ignore.
Rendered entirely by hand, without the use of AI, this piece centers the beauty, dignity, and emotional truth of the Black female experience. It is a celebration of identity, resilience, and the radical act of claiming joy. A soulful, expressive artwork that brings both power and warmth to any space.
This artwork was inspired by the emotional power of radical self-acceptance and the need to see joyful representations of Black women in art. The atmosphere is meant to feel both liberating and electric - like a moment of breakthrough. It adds not just color to a room, but confidence, emotion, and a voice.
Maryna is an artist based in Ukraine whose work explores themes of feminism, identity, and humanity through hand-drawn illustration. She creates each piece entirely by hand - without the use of AI - believing deeply in the irreplaceable value of the human touch. Her lines carry intention, .. Read more…