TEACH US EARLY by Christen Austin

Christen Austin is a freelance artist based in Southern California. Her passion for art started when she was very young and followed her throughout her young adult life until she reached college where she pursued an educational career in science. Nevertheless, she continued to practice art and used it to build her own business as a professional figurative and portrait painter. Christen specializes in traditional acrylic painting and digital painting which has enabled her to expand her creativity and create works with a broad range of color and complexity. Along with receiving several commission opportunities and awards, Christen has exhibited in numerous art shows, galleries, and museums across Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County. She has also collaborated with organizations such as the LA Metro, The Lakers, Nike, and NAACP Museum just to name a few. Christen continues to work on expanding her portfolio and creating visual narratives that explore the social culture of black people living in America, highlighting its beauty and universal qualities. By combining representational imagery with a surrealistic style, Christen strives to communicate that black people can occupy any and every space, real and imaginary.

Most of us can remember sitting in a classroom learning the things we were told would matter someday. And some of it did. But as life unfolded, many of us realized that some of the most important lessons were never part of the curriculum—how money works, how to recover from failure, how to believe in our ideas, and how to build something that can shape our future. "Teach Us Early" imagines a generation of young voices asking for those lessons sooner rather than later.

The children in this artwork come from different cultures and backgrounds, standing side by side and holding truths many adults only discovered through experience. Their messages speak to financial literacy, entrepreneurship, resilience, unity, and legacy—reminding us that wisdom is one of the most powerful gifts we can pass down. Because when we pass down wisdom instead of struggle, the next generation can spend less time surviving—and more time building.

All artwork on this site is the exclusive copyrighted works of the artists and Pieces Of Us By Us. Any unlawful redistribution or reproduction of artwork featured on this site without the copyright owner's prior written authorization is strictly prohibited.

All artwork on this site is the exclusive copyrighted works of the artists and Pieces Of Us By Us. Any unlawful redistribution or reproduction of artwork featured on this site without the copyright owner's prior written authorization is strictly prohibited.