Reintroduction

Hey beautiful people. It's me, Gerda Boateng! To all those who have been following my journey for the past 5 years, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. And to those who have just discovered me, a warm welcome to you. I would like to take a moment to reintroduce myself, as I embark on the next chapter of this incredible journey.

I am Gerda Boateng, and Gerda Creates is my baby—a platform through which I convey my important message to the world. Let's get personal because I want you all to truly connect with me. When I was just 6 years old, I arrived in Canada, and throughout my upbringing, there were moments when I was made to feel inadequate. I was told I was ugly, that my lips were too big. I vividly remember how two boys in my class would pull my hair and mock its texture, comparing it to cotton. However, I was a tough cookie and I’d let those boys have it!

Still, I struggled to find lunch boxes with my name on them and books with characters that resembled me. It became a constant battle to build my own self-confidence because the world made me feel unworthy. It seemed that the world only noticed me when it had something negative to say.

With Gerda Creates, all those negatives transform into positives. Here, the concept of "too dark" simply doesn't exist. Everything we were bullied for or ridiculed about is celebrated as beautiful. In this space, people who look like me, who have had similar experiences, ARE the MAIN CHARACTERS. Every design I create comes straight from the heart. I often ponder how my life would have been different if Gerda Creates had been available when I was being told I was too dark. I would have proudly turned to Jacob (one of the kids who made fun of me) while wearing my black girl shirt and said, "No, I'm not Jacob. I look just like her, and her skin is beautiful."

I share all this with you to help you understand why I not only paint images of people of color but also design practical art that allows us to see more representation in our daily lives. I believe that life is incredibly beautiful, and it becomes even more enriching when everyone feels seen and represented on a regular basis. If you actually read this to the end thank you! It means a lot.