“The first painting I remember selling was 'Panthera.' I made it while I was in r…” — Mickalene Thomas

I look to a lot of artists who don't focus on one medium, who you can't pigeonhole.

I grew up with a lot of brothers, and I don't have any sisters, so for me it's really important to develop my sisterhood. It's something I've always coveted.

My artistic decision to cast my mother's objects into bronze moves beyond the notions of memorializing her. I've been fascinated for some time with the idea of monumentality and what it means to memorialize. Both of these notions are relevant historically, artistically, and culturally.

I would have loved to paint Eartha Kitt, but she's no longer here. I'm so glad I had the chance to meet her.