Art is evolving, and today’s creators are painting the canvas and beyond. VI FamilyLink celebrates some of the artists, illustrators, and digital visionaries redefining what creativity means in a connected world. From traditional brushwork to digital renderings and immersive 3D design, these innovators blend technology with imagination to craft new forms of expression. Their work challenges boundaries, transforms perspectives, and reminds us that true artistry has no medium — only vision.
VI FamilyLink shines the spotlight on four creatives of the BVI whose Bold Strokes are leaving a mark.
J’LIYA NIBBS
At just 18, J’Liya Nibbs is making her mark on the Virgin Islands’ creative scene. A Graphic Design student at H.L. Stoutt Community College, she’s been surrounded by art since childhood, inspired by her mother’s old pastels, brushes, and paints.
Her passion for design began in high school, where joining the media team sparked an interest that soon became a calling. For J’Liya, design is storytelling—an art of communicating emotion and culture visually.
Before design came drawing. Known as “the art kid” in primary school, J’Liya loved charcoal sketching and teaching classmates to draw. Her style now blends semi-realism with animation influences, merging observation and imagination.
Her breakthrough came with a high school project reimagining Road Town’s Roundabout. The futuristic design earned her a spot in the Creative Waves Exhibition for Women, where she was showcased alongside other women artists.
J’Liya hopes to inspire others to create fearlessly. “You don’t have to be perfect when you start,” she advised. “Creativity grows with courage.” With plans to graduate in 2026, she continues to refine her craft—reflecting the vibrant, evolving spirit of Virgin Islands art.
CHENICA SOMMERSEL
At just 23, Chenica Sommersel has already carved out her own vibrant corner in the world of art. Known online as Kheni Cloud, Chenica brings a whimsical, semi-realistic touch to her designs — from dreamy illustrations to custom bags, stickers, and commissions.
Chenica’s art — often colourful, bright, and full of life — mirrors her outlook. “People always tell me, my head is in the clouds,” she laughed. “So, I thought, why not make that part of my brand?”
“I’ve loved art since I was a kid,” she said. “I always knew I wanted to do something creative, something that made people feel.” That spark of imagination eventually grew into her creative brand, Kheni Cloud, and later into a project close to her heart — Toka Tola.
Toka Tola follows five teenagers in the BVI as they search for identity and purpose. 
“It’s something for young people who feel stuck between growing up and still being a kid,” she explained. “When I was in high school, I didn’t really have an outlet like that, so I wanted to create one.” With its Caribbean backdrop and anime-inspired storytelling, Toka Tola aims to give local teens characters they can truly relate to.
Commissions are open for anyone in need of an original piece of artwork. Whether it’s a portrait, a character concept, or a custom design, Chenica brings her unique touch to every piece.
Bright, bold, and beautifully imaginative — that’s Chenica Sommersel and her brand, Kheni Cloud.
SILKÉ TITTLE
At Elmore Stoutt High School, Silké Tittle teaches almost the entire student body, grades eight through twelve, but her classroom is far from ordinary. With six years of experience and a passion for creativity, she blends art and education to inspire her students to see the world differently.
Silké learned art from her mom. “A lot of who I am as an artist comes from her.” Her own work explores contrast — soft and edgy, bright and dark — a reflection, she says, of her mental state and hopes for the future.
For her, art is more than a subject — it’s culture. “Art is all around us,” she said. “Life would be dull without it. For too long, we’ve had incredible local artists working quietly in the background. It’s time we celebrate that creativity as part of who we are.”
According to her, digital art has become a big part of the creative shift. “From the designs on your clothes to the logos on your favourite brands, that’s all digital art,” she explained.
Whether in the classroom or her studio, Silké continues to encourage self-expression through art. “Use whatever you have,” she advised. “A notepad, your phone, your imagination — just create. That’s where it all begins.”
ANTHONY JR GLASGOW
Meet Anthony Jr Glasgow, a young artist whose work dances between nostalgia and imagination. Anthony’s been drawing since he was just eight years old — back when pencils, paper, and pure curiosity were all he needed. It’s now 2025, and he has leapt into digital art, blending his traditional roots with modern tools.
Anthony’s style leans into cartoons and animation, and for him, it’s all about connecting with that universal spark, the inner child we all carry. “Cartoons appeal to everyone,” he shared. “They make people stop and go, ‘Oh wow, this is cool!’ That reaction — that moment of connection — that’s what keeps me going.”
His creative process is as spontaneous as it is passionate. “Sometimes I’ll be at work,” he laughed, “and I’ll just doodle something on the side — maybe a stick figure or a small animal. Then I’ll take a picture, scan it to my iPad, and build from there. That’s how my characters come to life.”
Anthony’s enthusiasm for Creative Waves — a platform that uplifts artists — is just as vibrant as his art. “I’m so inspired and ecstatic about it,” he emphasised. “Artists need spaces like this, especially from small islands. It’s not just about showcasing art — it’s about connection, networking, and being seen.”
In every sketch, stroke, and digital brush, Anthony brings out the joy of storytelling and self-expression. His mission is simple yet powerful: to make people smile, pause, and remember the magic of imagination.
