Judy XOLILE NONHLANHLA

A little about me

The first thing I can ever recall being proud of was drawing a star. I was about four and I remember feeling as though I was failing at life because I couldn't spell my last name (two "s"s and two "n"s is a lot to ask of a four year-old). Something about being able to create a drawing on a piece of paper made me feel special and important, like I had a contribution to put forward - one that didn't require memorizing how many letters needed to go where.

I grew up and spent the first 20 years of my life in Swaziland, the last monarchy in Africa. Today I live in this endless city: New York. Between growing up in a kingdom and spending my adult years in a magical city, I count myself as fortunate. I love to draw my friends and family. I hope they see it as an extension of my affection for them. I think of my drawings as true representations of the people in them - every line out of place and gone astray is just as it should be. 

Drawing reminds me that we are so much better than perfection. We are excitingly unpredictable. Our flaws are what give us compassion, patience and the space to be ourselves.