Born in Athens, GA (1979) and raised in Jacksonville, FL, Otha Davis III (also known as Vakseen) is a self-taught, museum-exhibited painter and visual artist. He’s also a diamond and multi-platinum former music executive, producer and a songwriter. 

Not often is art characterized as a “panacea,” but Vakseen is a multi-hyphenate whose art has been described by one of his collectors as having “the ability to set the stage for a much-needed therapy session that challenges one to get to the root of any issues hindering progress or living one’s best life.” His pseudonym “Vakseen” (which he also uses as a producer and songwriter) represents being the cure in life. He believes “you can either complain about things or we can be the cure and make the change. Art is my vehicle for change.”

While working on hit records played a driving force in his almost 20-year long career, Vakseen has been an active new contemporary painter since moving to Los Angeles in 2011. His distinct creations celebrate beauty, excellence, pop culture, and diversity, but at the core, they’re all inspired by and celebrate the Black experience.

Known for his Vanity Pop collage paintings, as well as his Legends Only celebrity portrait series, his artwork has been featured by the History Channel, the African American Museum of Dallas, Ontario Museum of History & Art, MOCA Cleveland, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Nike, Adidas, UCLA, U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Architectural Digest, American Art Collector, Forbes, Coindesk, Black Enterprise, Refinery 29, LA Weekly, Julien’s Auctions, the Hollywood Bowl, Thinkspace Projects, Milan Fashion Week, Soho House London, HBO’s Insecure, FX’s Snowfall, CBS’s Poppa’s House, Peacock’s Bel-Air, HBO’s Rap Sh!t, and Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt. He has also been featured on CBS News, BBC World News, Fox News, and spoken at the NAACP National Convention.

Vanity Pop Artist Statement

“What is Love?” (2022)

The pursuit of perfection is a familiar burden for many of us, especially when you’re Black. Growing up, I was taught you have to be “perfect” in order to excel. Excellence wasn’t only expected but required for survival. From our home life to the classroom to the workplace, we’re often held to an unattainable standard and work twice as hard just to prove our worth. No matter what I did, it never felt like I was enough. It’s a weight that can make us or break us.

What if we could redefine perfection on our own terms? What if we could embrace our imperfections and celebrate our unique strengths and talents? 

My art serves as an exploration of identity and is an ode to women (God’s greatest creation), resilience and the inherent beauty found in embracing one’s true self. By using a photorealistic painting technique that blurs the lines between different artistic med I aim to dismantle preconceived notions and encourage a deeper exploration of the subjects I portray. 

Through the juxtaposition of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and nuanced features, I invite viewers to delve beyond the surface of perfection, highlighting how each piece contributes to the broader conversation about what defines us. Drawing inspiration from personal history and cultural heritage, my paintings become a vessel for personal enlightenment, sparking dialogue about identity, empowerment, and the beauty that resides within each of us.

Black icons have always served as symbols of representation & inspiration for me. As far back as I can remember, I always had their posters covering my walls. It gave me a sense of pride and reminded me that if they could be a success, I could too.

My Legends Only collection honors the legends who have shaped my journey. Their stories, struggles, and triumphs remind us of our shared humanity, touching hearts worldwide. Art is such a powerful vessel, and I love how it inspires, empowers, and connects us all.