I am Patience Epps, a 17-year-old multidisciplinary artist who first turned to painting when words felt too small for the feelings I carried. The moment I picked up a brush, emotion blossomed into color, and a lifelong creative journey began. Today, I explored a range of mediums—from canvas and digital illustration to photography, graphic design, and mixed-media experiments—chasing the thrill of discovering unexpected textures, palettes, and forms.

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My practice is rooted in the belief that art is more than colors and lines; it is emotion, language, and healing. Each piece I create translates complex inner landscapes into visual stories that invite viewers to pause, feel, and reflect. I want people to leave my work believing that art can be a pathway to self-expression and resilience—and that their own voices deserve a place on the canvas too.

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My signature, PHATZ, carries deep meaning. It comes from my auntie, who lovingly called me Phat Phat when I was a baby because I was cute and chubby. She meant so much to me, and though she’s no longer here, she continues to live through me and my art. Keeping that name alive is my way of honoring her love and presence in everything I create—it’s a reminder that my art is not just mine, but part of a legacy built on love, strength, and remembrance.

I currently attend Fair Senior High School (Class of 2026) and continue to grow through professional creative experiences. In 2024, I joined the Creative Pioneer Fellowship with Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) and The Bureau, gaining hands-on experience in creative direction, photography, design, and project management. As a graphic design and contemporary art apprentice at Juxtaposition Arts, I’ve worked alongside other young artists dedicated to building community through creativity.

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My work has been exhibited across Minneapolis, including a solo exhibition with the Carlson Family Foundation (2025) and group exhibitions such as the MIA Teen Perspectives Art Exhibition (2025), Juxtaposition Arts Open House (2025), and Renaissance Live (2023). I’ve also participated in events like With A King’s Ransom II, LASAA 2025, Walk With A Purpose, and Hi Cotton (Norf Star)—each one an opportunity to connect people through color, storytelling, and emotion.

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My art and story have been featured in MSP Magazine, Good Morning America, and the Studio 42 Blog, allowing me to share my creative voice with wider audiences and inspire other young artists to believe in the power of their own stories.

Ultimately, my goal is to build a career that weaves together graphic design, interior design, and fine art, while using creativity to empower others to find healing through self-expression. Every piece I make is an act of translation—a way to turn silence into color, pain into beauty, and hope into something that can be seen and felt. I paint so that others may find the courage to paint their own lives.