Drawing inspiration from African textile design, contemporary fashions, and urban culture, Jowarnise developed a late interest in portraiture, mainly in the mediums of painting and drawing, after earning her Bachelor of Fine Art from Virginia State University. She blends classical painting with her years of graphic design experience. Most of her works combine a wide range of references from classical painting, pop culture, and her personal experience.
Jowarnise, visual artist and designer, explores the human condition with them related to race, social class, and culture through her art. Best known for her naturalistic portraits of women in eloquent poses, she often focuses on the female African American experience.
Jowarnise’s work has been exhibited at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, the Meredith Gallery at Virginia State University, and at the medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. She was awarded in 2012 by the National Arts Program and in 2019 by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. She is based in Richmond, VA.