. >> you saw the works of gainsboro, reynolds, constable. what effect did they have on you? >> my mother sent me to a school that allowed me to see some of the best art institutions in los angeles. among them were examples of some of the great french and british portraits. gilded frames, powdered wigs, jewels and lap dogs, all of the sort of strange code for class. and in a strange way, what i did most underserved communities in california into one of the most i was here able to picture things that i wanted to see. i was able to imagine what i would. and the only limitations within that field were my imagination. >> reporter: despite having painted people of color almost exclusively for over a decade, his training began like so many other artists in art classes painting nude mostly white women. >> i was wondering if the challenges of moving what i would assume is mostly painting white women in the art studio, nudes, and transitioning almost 180 to clothed black men. >> it's arguable i know how to paint white women better than i do black men because so much of my educational

. >> you saw the works of gainsboro, reynolds, constable. what effect did they have on you?> my mother sent me to a school that allowed me to see some of the best art institutions in los angeles. among them were examples of some of the great french and british portraits. gilded frames, powdered wigs, jewels and lap dogs, all of the sort of strange code for class. and in a strange way, what i did was i walked from one of the most underserved communities in california into one of the most resplendent rooms florida los angeles. i was here able to picture things that i wanted to see. i was able to imagine what i would. and the only limitations within that field were my imagination. >> reporter: despite having pained people of color almost exclusively for over a decade, his training began like so many other artists in art classes painting nude mostly white women. >> i was wondering if the challenges of moving what i would assume is mostly painting white women in theard studio, nudes and transitioning almost 180 to clothed black men. >> it's arguable i know how to paint white wome