Newark/Homeboy (Growing Up Working Class series) 2021

mixed media on canvas 16 in.  x 12 in.artist's private collection

back story: My family rented an apartment on South 13th Street in the Central Ward, Newark. We lived next to a chicken slaugther house. We had too little heat in the winters. My father was home for a long period when we lived here due to an accident he had while working as a steeplejack, he fell several stories inside an industrial smokestack. He was in a body cast for months. Money was short at this time. My mother played bingo, always hoping to win the jackpot. She would bring home her small winnings to help.

(artist's private collection)