About Akaimi

Akaimi Davis is a multidisciplinary visual artist, with creative endeavors that have spanned multiple industries as a licensed Hairstylist and Makeup Artist, Award-winning Graphic Designer, Corporate Art Director and now, Certified Art Therapy Practitioner.

 

Shortly after relocating to San Antonio from her hometown of Austin, TX in 2012, Davis was diagnosed with an exceptionally rare form of incurable blood cancer- Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia. She began a weekly chemotherapy regimen that continued for two years. She has remained a patient at The University of Texas at MD Anderson, where she continues to receive monthly maintenance therapy. Shortly after her diagnosis, Davis returned to her childhood days, where she utilized found objects in her artwork. She discovered the process to be an integral part of maintaining a creative routine, giving her mind a break from focusing on nausea and pain associated with treatment. Eventually it became a disciplined, daily, spiritual and meditative ritual.

 

Davis’ influences come from a wide array of both classical and folk artists, as she is called to depict images that portray Black, African, Latino and Indigenous cultures. Despite gaining popularity as a painter, her most recent works showcase her ability to embrace the totality of her being as a creator. She is committed to honoring the past, making strides towards the future, and living another day to share a new vision of life after leukemia.

 

Amongst many accolades, Akaimi has been named the 2020 “Creative Artist of the Year” by the Buy from a Black Woman foundation, and recognized in 2021 by the Houston Chronicle as one of “6 Black Artists You Need to Know”. She also had the distinct privilege of being selected in 2021 as one of 25 retailers launching  BlckMarket Retail’s flagship storefront located in Pearland, TX, in addition to licensing the majority of her catalog. 

 

Akaimi Davis is a graduate of Texas State University- San Marcos, holding a BFA in Communication Design, and has completed certification to become an Art Therapy Practitioner. Her vision is to provide transformative, therapeutic, creative experiences to people from all walks of life.