D. Hughes the Creative is a visual and mixed media artist whose work captures texture, story, and emotion in layered, expressive forms. Rooted in a lifelong relationship with art, Hughes draws inspiration from early memories of watching their mother, a gifted seamstress, transform fabric into wedding gowns, curtains, and quilts. That foundation ignited an enduring passion for design, detail, and creative transformation.
Choreography was Hughes’s first form of artistic expression. The fluidity of movement continues to influence the brushwork and composition within their paintings. Whether working with paper, canvas, or found objects, Hughes weaves rhythm and motion into visual form, building texture, reimagining space, and allowing each piece to unfold with both freedom and structure.
Their mixed media works are representational with a twist, bold colors, layered techniques, and dreamlike elements invite the viewer into scenes that feel both familiar and otherworldly. Hughes creates to share the awe and tranquility they experience while making, and to convey a sense of wonder through careful attention to overlooked details. The feedback that resonates most deeply is when viewers say: “That’s how that feels to me,” or “I don’t know where that is, but I want to be there.” These moments affirm the emotional resonance Hughes strives for in each piece.
At the heart of their practice is a commitment to storytelling, specifically, the preservation and honoring of stories from foundational Black Americans. Hughes believes our stories should be told by us, through us, and passed down from our own lineages, not through filters or revisions, but through the richness of our lived experiences. This purpose shapes every canvas, every composition, and every collection of work.
Beyond the studio, Hughes believes deeply in the role of art in education. They write:
“I believe that the ability to see through the teacher’s eyes expands experience, knowledge, and cognition of the student. The outcomes of art education are far wider than creating art or merely observing. The study of art and all its facets provides frames of reference for viewing the world with heightened appreciation and deeper meaning. Art changes the stereotypical learning environment into one of discovery. It challenges students on all levels and teaches them to become more sustained, self-directed learners. Engagement in the fine arts helps students reach beyond the boundaries of the printed text or the rules of what is provable.”
Through each painting, Hughes offers an invitation, to feel, to imagine, to remember, and to reclaim. Their work is deeply personal, yet universally connective, rooted in visual storytelling, cultural memory, and a commitment to preserving truth through art.