Violet was born September 1, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York.  Her
parents immigrated from Barbados, West Indies. Violet and her siblings won many art awards,
medals and scholarships during their school career and after.  Violet’s father, although a master
tailor by trade, was an accomplished landscape and seascape artist. Violet received her first award
at age nine when she won first prize in a city wide John Wanamaker Art competition. The New
York Times published an article on her and the drawing she submitted. 
Violet graduated from Girls Commercial High School (now renamed Prospect Heights)
which at the time had a very extensive art program that she took along with a full academic
curriculum.  She was a member of ARISTA honor society and ALTIORA, an art honor
society. While in High School, Violet and her two brothers illustrated Winds and Lights, a book
of African folk tales authored by African Prince Akiki K. Nyabongo.   
After graduating High School, Violet attended Cooper Union and Pratt Institute majoring
in commercial art. Although Violet started her professional career in fashion illustration, she later
returned to painting. Violet, mother of seven children and seven grandchildren
has used her grandchildren’s  
likenesses in many of her paintings. Violet has been involved in art exhibits and shows for many
years.  Her work has been featured and celebrated throughout New York City and the East Coast.
Notably, Violet received recognition at the Schomburg Center’s Special Collection Series, “100
Black Artists of the 20 th  Century”.  One of her paintings remains on permanent display at
the Schomburg.    
Violet participated in the “Black Women Artists of Brooklyn and Environs” Her work
has also been exhibited in the Brooklyn and New York Borough Halls, the AT & T Building,
Jacob Javits Center, Dorsey’s Annual “Sale and Auction”, Dedicators Inc. Annual Luncheon,
Magnolia Tree Center, Black Artists Fine Art Show. Violet is also a member of “Artist of
Brooklyn”. Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT) broadcasted a special that focused
on Violet and her artwork.  In 2004 Violet received the Ernest Crichlow and Jacob Lawrence
Achievement in the Arts Award which was presented at the Fulton Art Fair.  Her family and
friends were in the first Fulton Art Fair in 1958.