It was 2024, and I was seeing Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ (OTSL“Barber of Seville”. I remember seeing the cover art on the playbill and thinking, “I WILL have my art on the cover. Fast forward to the end of the year, and I received an email asking me to create the cover for their 50th Anniversary season. I didn’t even have to think twice about it. I was easily inspired by Queen Titania of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Ostara, the Nordic goddess of Spring. I also wanted to create a portrait that highlighted the beauty that black women possess and honor them with this creation. Ladies and gentlemen, Theys and thems. I give you “Joya of Spring”. The painting created is now display within OTSL’s building.