Nafeesah Shabazz has loved art, and the art of creating since the tender age of seven.  She pursued art through many of her grade school years under the tutelage of Mrs. Joyce Ivory at Young Artists & Co., Incorporated, located in Detroit, Michigan.  After receiving her Bachelor of Fine Art Degree with teaching certification K-12 from Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Nafeesah relocated to the Washington, DC metropolitan area.  She began her teaching career in Maryland's Prince George's County Public Schools where she was a Fine Art instructor at Bladensburg High School for 5 years. Still residing in Maryland, but no longer teaching,  she has bravely stepped out on faith to embark on sharing her gift and working as an independent artist. aRt.4LIFE I recently heard someone say that when you have a gift, it doesn't belong to you as the artist, rather it belongs to the world.  It then becomes your responsibility to share your gift that was blessed upon you...it is no longer yours to hold on to. Today I'm letting go.... For as long as I can remember aRt.4LIFE has been my mantra.  It stands alone as a statement that represents my gift, my love, my life....my art. It is how I describe this ever changing, unpredictable quest of self-discovery through visual representation. My gift has always been one of my best kept secrets and recently I decided to share it with the world.  In an unexpected move to end my tenure as an Art Instructor I have embarked on pursuing my dream as an independent artist.  I adore the art of creating and really hope you enjoyed your tour and experience through my site and my work.