EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) -- He was just 5 years old when he came to the U.S. with his parents from Haiti. Now, Guy Stanley Philoche's paintings sell for up to $150,000.

"I was this weird, awkward kid, but I found my place in the world through art," Philoche said.

Eyewitness News caught up with the highly acclaimed artist in his studio in East Harlem, where he creates his masterpieces.

"This is one of my favorite pieces, James Baldwin," Philoche said. "I love it."

It's part of his latest series, Higher Learning , celebrating brown and Black children attending a wide range of schools.

"Right now, I see a lot of these schools being defunded, with administrations trying to erase our history. Our best weapon of choice right now is education," Philoche said.

Right now, Philoche is

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