Museum-exhibited visual artist, painter, crypto artist, diamond and multi-platinum music executive, producer, and songwriter Otha “Vakseen” Davis III, was born to a military family in Athens, Georgia, spending most of his formative years in Jacksonville, Florida. Best known for his vibrant acrylic portraits, Vakseen grew up artistically inclined; drawing, painting and playing several instruments including the violin. 

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 complain about the things in life, or we can be the cure and make the change!” And, his art serves as his own antidote to maintaining sanity in the fast-paced entertainment industry, where he also works as a music executive specializing in A&R Management, Production, Songwriting, and Artist Development. 

While working on hit records played a driving force in his almost 20-year long career, Vakseen has been an active contemporary realist painter since moving to Los Angeles in 2011. The self-taught creator is known for two distinct bodies of work: “Vanity Pop” and his “Legends Only” series.

“Vanity Pop” celebrates diversity and the acute imperfections and endless perfections that exist within every woman. Although most observers mistake his work as a collage or mixed media art, each creation is in fact meticulously hand painted to blur the boundaries between perception and reality. Through his juxtaposition of vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and expressive brushwork, Vakseen’s creations become a vessel for personal enlightenment, sparking conversations about identity, empowerment, and the beauty that resides within all of us.

“Legends Only” is a series that celebrates Black excellence and Vakseen’s favorite cultural icons. These vibrant portraits are created to celebrate his love for pop culture and to keep their legacies alive, while connecting people worldwide through shared admiration. “Everything about our culture is preserved through art and the youth, so I just wanted to create something vibrant and inspiring that could be shared with my son or my grandmother and still have the same impact. Pop culture is so powerful, and I love how it connects us ALL.”

Currently based in Los Angeles, Vakseen’s art has been featured by the History Channel, Nike, Forbes, the African American Museum of Dallas, Ontario Museum of History & Art, MOCA Cleveland, Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Adidas, UCLA, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, Architectural Digest, American Art Collector, Complex, Coindesk, Black Enterprise, Refinery 29, LA Weekly, Julien’s Auctions, Thinkspace Projects, Milan Fashion Week, Soho House London, W Beverly Hills, HBO’s Insecure, FX’s Snowfall, Peacock’s Bel-Air, HBO’s Rap Sh!t, and Hulu’s Reasonable Doubt. He has also been a featured guest on CBS News, BBC World News, Science Friday, and at the NAACP National Convention.

With celebrity collectors, television features in hit shows, and worldwide art exhibitions, Vakseen’s rise has been seismic. His aim is to produce art that consistently ignites discussion, captivates the senses, and connects people with his culture. Whether you catch a glimpse of Vakseen’s work in a television scene, on a billboard, magazine page or in-person at a gallery, one thing is for certain, his work will take you on an unexpected journey, laying witness to the thoughtful execution of composition and the tangible emotions the pieces invoke. A viewer is guaranteed to feel differently after catching a glimpse of Vakseen’s treasured artistry.

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Vanity Pop Artist Statement

“The Peace in Perfection” (2019)

My paintings celebrate diversity, the beauty of melanin, and the acute imperfections and endless perfections every woman possesses. By focusing predominantly on women of color, I aim to celebrate their diverse narratives and challenge the boundaries of representation. Through my art, I endeavor to provide a platform for marginalized voices, creating a visual dialogue that resonates with viewers from all walks of life.

Using a painting technique that mimics the appearance of collage or mixed media, I invite viewers to step into a world where perception and reality seamlessly merge. I strive to create a visual experience that challenges our understanding of beauty and identity. By blurring the lines between different artistic mediums, 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 expressive brushwork, my art challenges the viewer to delve beyond the surface, beyond the tangible, and into the complex journey of self-discovery. My creations become a vessel for personal enlightenment, sparking conversations about identity, empowerment, and the beauty that resides within all of us.

Pop culture & entertainment have played a major role in my life since childhood. I can still hear my parents listening to the classics; MJ, Prince, Miles, and many others. We’d watch Martin, Fresh Prince, ESPN & so many other classics. I always felt my parents had amazing taste. Growing up in the 90’s and their natural influence helped shape my tastes, and  also gave me a foundation to pursue, create, and make a living in entertainment.

“Legends Only” is a colorful portrait series inspired by Black excellence. These vibrant paintings are created to celebrate my favorite moments & pop icons. These are people I consider legends and moments I consider legendary. Everything about our culture is preserved through art and the youth. With this series I wanted to create something that could be shared with people from different walks of life and still have the same impact. Art is such a powerful vessel. I love the way it empowers and connect us ALL.