Lakenya Dent -Visual Artist

Spice of Art
(Special Note: the beaded works: 100% woven beads through and through. No wiring, skeleton, or base to build on. No glue or any other adhesive were used in the making of them.) How to start....You already know I'm a visual artist. You've already seen some works. Hmmm I guess I'm best described through my heritage and values. WHAT'S YOUR NATIONALITY?

Like Most African Americans, I'm mostly African. And like most African Americans, I have a strong Native American Background on both sides of my families. And then I have some European blood way back there, but I don't know exactly what race. ( In other words I'm still looking through my ancestry.)

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM and WHAT IS YOUR RELIGION?

Okay this question is a spiritual one. I remember seeing heaven and my life before I lived it, and for a long time (years) I never talked to anyone about it because I didn't want to seem insane. Then one day this year I decided to look it up. I found out that only a hand-full of people on Earth have experienced this: Pre-Birth (no not a stage during pregnancy or whatever). It's when souls that are bound for Earth get to see their families and homes before they are born. Some are given missions, and some can contact their parents through dreams or in the spirit while the mother is pregnant. And souls who have gone through it have spirit guides and may or may not have lived on Earth before -even hundreds of years ago and might have had a different name in the spirit realm.
Once again I'm still soul searching on that.

But it's even more reason for me to believe in God, angels and in Heaven. When I was 6, I suddenly turned my life over to him though I was without sin. Ever since then, I've never looked back or doubted him and he's shown himself too many times for me to doubt him. He's always been there for me.

However, going through what I've gone through spiritually has kept me from being able to step into a church without falling ill (upset stomach, things like that). I feel that today's churches are corrupt, and the Preachers are not qualified and are usually more of a sinner than the congregation.
So I resort back to reading what is left of the Bible (trying to follow all the rules) and I try to link myself to every movement of the Earth and the animals. From the clap of thunder to the footsteps of ants: I try to match my heartbeat to it all.

WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES?

Well I have gotten to the point that if it has nothing to do with me, I do not judge. I've been so busy analyzing my inner being that I really haven't paid much attention to others that way. But I still believe in reading others when it's needed.

I don't wear makeup. Don't believe in it really. I could never see myself with a smile on a daily built mask. What's the point? If I feel I'm not beautiful then I'd wear the stuff. It's supposed to cover up flaws right? But God made me- so I'm fine the way I am....Same goes for the hair. I don't believe in weaves. I know I have a perm, but trust me if you saw all that hair without it you couldn't wrap your head around the daily care. I believe in the old fashioned figure- not that stick figure stuff. Trust me what you see is what you get.

I do believe in keeping my virginity until marriage. I don't believe in chasing after the guy. I do believe in leaving more to the imagination. I don't believe in having that many guys in my life. But I do know what I want out of it all. Unfortunately lol, my values have kept me from the many chances of a relationship because not all the guys where I live are Southern gentlemen and they don't want a uh "unproductive" relationship. So I've been single all my life. Never had a first kiss even- never gave the guy a chance to even ask for a date. Like I said though I know what priority is most important and I know what I want.
WHAT ELSE?
I'm a Capricorn. I'm 21 years old. I'm 5'1" . I'm still a homebody.

I've been drawing since I was 5 (not 9 like the gallery tries to say). My first time seeing reaction for my art was in kindergarten when I drew Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. later in elementary school years I've experimented with different mediums and I just believed in myself to make whatever I wanted with anything I touched. Also I like to practice on my lap harp, keyboard, and acoustic guitar. I like to write novels and poems etc. I also like to debate- (I don't do it much anymore because I'm tried of the stress that goes with it) I also like to sing and design clothes.

My fav color: purple and black, purple and white, or purple and yellow.
My fav food: soul food, seafood, fruit, and fruit-flavored candy.....and krispy kreme
My fav comic book characters: The Joker and Storm (from X-Men)
Friends: I usually choose not to hang around that many people- I guess because I'm shy but I don't usually let too many people know that much about me and be that close. To me that's dangerous. Plus I get tired of old friends wanting to know what I'm up to and then spreading it. (you know?- we're still young.)
T.V.: 106&Park on BET, CNN, MSNBC, E! News,

My biggest goal: You know ? all I want in life is that one person who's just like me but with something different. Someone who respects my speed. And I want kids too. I also want to know where my seat is in God's plan. Did I have a mission? What type a soul or title did I have?

I know everything else with be there for me like a career because God will make that possible if he sees fit.

But that's basically all I want.