Dominican artist Reisha Felix-Harry is continuing to build momentum in the international art scene with her latest portrait series celebrating contemporary Dominican culture. Following her first major public art showcase in Canada, where her artwork was featured on Durham Region Transit buses for a Black History Month campaign, Felix-Harry has garnered widespread attention for her paintings of prominent Dominican musicians Trilla-G and Shelley.
The self-taught artist, who operates under the brand ReiCreations Art, explained in a recent interview with DNO that her work has always focused on showcasing and appreciating her heritage. After relocating from Dominica to Canada, celebrating her culture serves as a meaningful way to remain connected to home.
““I remember thinking, you know, celebrating our culture and doing this kind of representation could take it to another level, thinking of Dominica,” Felix-Harry said, referencing the young people who are actively elevating Dominican culture globally. “And when I think of that… I think of Shelly and Trilla and how they’ve been able to do that. And so it was just… putting together this series in my mind of the people that I could celebrate on canvas.”
Felix-Harry began working on the portraits in mid-September, working on them daily or every other day using online photographs as a starting reference. She emphasized that capturing the true essence and personality of her subjects is the most critical and challenging aspect of portraiture.
The project was executed entirely as a surprise, without prior consultation with the musicians. However, after the final pieces were shared online, both Trilla-G and Shelly interacted with the posts publicly. According to Felix-Harry, both artists expressed an interest in acquiring the original paintings for themselves.
“Shelly commented and he said… he appreciates—not just to be painted, but to be painted so well,” Felix-Harry shared. “And that to me as an artist is one of the highest forms of appreciation.”
The positive public reception aligns with Felix-Harry’s growing footprint within the Canadian art space. Her piece titled “Free to Just Be,” which highlights the history and versatility of Black hair, was recently selected by the Region of Durham for a public transit campaign. That particular work integrates traditional textile patterns reflecting African roots alongside elements of Dominican culture, such as madras and hibiscus. Her signature style employs an intricate technique using acrylic paints and hot glue to generate a distinct, textured effect in her portraits.
While Felix-Harry maintains a full-time career outside of the arts, she continues to balance her professional duties with her creative passion. Her work has been shown in exhibitions across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and is held in private collections spanning the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. Looking forward, she hopes the momentum from her portrait series will inspire further appreciation for contemporary local artists and creators.
