Follow the Signs and Don’t Ignore the Call.
Since I was a kid, I have always loved writing and art. I'm no newbie to writing in diaries, blogging, and expressing myself through the written word. Then when words fail me, art has always been able to pick up where my voice left off.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida surrounded by tropical culture and accents from the Islands. I'm a first-generation Caribbean American (Jamaica and Antigua). My maternal Grandfather planted churches throughout the West Indies, and the church I grew up in.
I have a Master Degree in Mental Health Counseling. My original plan was to get my Bachelor in Psychology and then go back to school for Fashion Design when I could afford to go without school loans.
I'm a survivor of prolonged Post Partum Depression (PPD) and Postpartum Anxiety (PPA). After two kids and 7 years (3 of those spent in Therapy), I finally feel free and healed from it!
In January 2018, I became a full-time Abstract Artist, yet have been making art and designs under the name of DeKelis since about 2010.
For five years, I built a Mom lifestyle blog, podcast, and brand called Sincerely, Mrs. Mommy. I resigned from that name at the beginning of 2021 because I felt the pull that God had something more planned for me. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I knew I had to make a shift. Now I do everything under my name Desirae Ofori.
In April 2020, I self-published my first book, Her Bold Faith Guided Journal, on Amazon. Again, I didn't know why I needed to write that book, I just knew I had to.
At the end of 2020, I launched my first apparel, the Bold Faith line, with hoodies and shirts. This shift was a nod to my desire to be in the fashion industry and also a way to encourage women to embrace a lifestyle of confidence and bold faith.
I wrote ALL OF THAT to say this. Everything that I've loved as a child up to now, my upbringing, my career, my experience with mental health, and the brands I have built have led me to this point. This is a point that I've been trying to ignore for the past year or so. A point that I've over-analyzed and was fearful of. A point that has become more and more obvious as the past few months have rolled by.
The point is: the core of who I am and what I'm supposed to do with my gifts can no longer be ignored. I have to answer the call, entirely.
In my last blog post, I spoke about a shift that you may have noticed on my social media. It is something I am now committed to. Instead of trying to compartmentalize and keep each of my loves of writing, art, fashion, and most importantly faith-filled inspiration separate, I'll be exploring new ways to merge them. Ignoring all of who I am has kept me from showing up authentically, and I realized that has inhibited my growth and success. All I know is, I've given God my yes, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens with each step I take.
As for now, you'll be seeing more artwork and products that are made and titled intentionally to inspire, encourage and uplift your soul.
I strongly believe that colors have a therapeutic language of their own. That’s why abstract art can evoke so much emotion and meaning to the viewer without a literal figure to describe it.
I also strongly believe in the power of the words we surround and speak over ourselves. I have a dedicated encouragement wall in my home studio office filled with words, quotes, scriptures, notes, and affirmations. I also have encouragement sprinkled on the other walls and throughout my home.
When I'm feeling down I stand in front of them and read to be encouraged. They are in my peripheral vision at all times, so they are embedded in my subconscious and soul. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why inspiring others and encouragement comes so easily to me - because it surrounds me.
So I want to officially welcome you to the new era of DeKelis Art Studio! As I said I'll still have original artwork and will be expanding my work to include more wall art with words, stationery, apparel, home goods, and more to spread the message of inspiration, confidence, and bold faith.
Thanks for being here, and thanks for reading to the end. I said I wasn’t going to make an official announcement but, well here we are 😅😁🥰 I appreciate your support and prayers as we see what God has in store for all of us through DeKelis Art Studio and beyond!
Stay safe and well,
Desiraé Ofori
