Tim Okamura is a critically acclaimed veteran painter who hails from Edmonton, Canada, who specializes in painting African-Americans and other minorities. His painting technique mashes traditional methods rooted in realism, with hip-hop influenced graffiti for a style few can imitate. While not of African-American descent himself, the biracial (half-Japanese, half-British) Okamura wants his work to tell the stories of the misrepresented.

During his first art exhibit in New York City in more than first years, Okamura sat down with theGrio at the Lyons Wier Gallery in Chelsea to discuss his new project — called Bronx. Brooklyn.Queens — the parallels between hip hop and the art world and the silent strength of black women.