Ohso is a self-taught, mixed media artist, graphic designer, and educator born & raised in New Orleans, LA. She grew up in Gert Town, a mid-city neighborhood that is also home to Xavier University and Blue Plate Artists Lofts ( Formerly Blue Plate Mayonnaise Factory ). She began creating detailed drawings by the age of three & primarily paints imaginative, 3-D composition portraits of Women of Color with "Living Waters" as a prominent, recurring biblical metaphor. Water in her work can represent purification, spiritual need, and eternal life. Many pieces feature women with "Flowing Tresses" because she views the hair as the crown and glory of a woman; hair is extremely versatile. It can be rough and jagged like mountains or flow and resemble waves of the ocean. Other recurring images in her work are swirls, birds & butterflies that may represent death, persecution, salvation, or signify solitude & peace. Her mediums of choice are acrylic & celluclay which is a recycled paper medium but she often incorporates airbrush, pastels, ink & watercolors. Ohso attended NOCCA - New Orleans Center for Creative Arts alongside her academic studies at John F. Kennedy Sr. High School. Although Ohso maintained a love and appreciation of fine arts she considered it a hobby so after graduation, she spent seven years in the Retail Sales & Management industry. She then went on to study psychology & fine art at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, LA. In 1996 she entered her first Amateur “Juried” Art Competition in Rivertown and won 1st place. Later that same year she decided to become a professional artist and exhibited her paintings through The Neighborhood Gallery where she also volunteered as a Curatorial Intern for two years. In 1999 she received her degree in Computer Graphic Design from Southeast College of Technology in Metairie, LA and was inducted into the Alpha Beta Kappa, National Honor Society. Ohso is also 1st Degree Black Belt in Isshogai Ryu Karate-Do and Co-Owns Peace Keeper Martial Arts Academy with her husband. In the summer of 2005, she founded ArtistiKIDS! a visual arts program for Young & Talented children. At the close of 2005, her family relocated to Texas after hurricanes Katrina & Rita destroyed their home. "Although my earlier works are sensual in nature, today my talents are used as a vehicle to fulfill the “Great Commission”. Through my paintings, I introduce visual testimonies reflecting the beauty of creation.” Peace & Blessings!