How It Feels to Be Free (2021) is a striking and deeply personal work that explores the concept of freedom, both as an internal and external experience. Through this piece, Ballon delves into the emotional complexity of breaking free from societal, historical, and personal constraints.

In his own words, he states, “How It Feels to Be Free is a piece I created with the inspiration of young Black girls feeling free and confident in their natural hair. In the painting, the girls have Afros that are unrestrained by any type

of enhancements. I also wanted to connect their sense of freedom with Nina Simone’s iconic song I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free.

Rendered in rich oils, Ballon’s figures convey not just physical liberation but also the psychological journey toward self-empowerment. The intimate portrayal of its subjects speaks to the universal human desire for autonomy while grounding the narrative in the specific struggles faced by the Black community.