Ball-point Pen Drawing to Painting

"Je nwi temi" Ballpoint Pen on paper, 2019.

"Je nwi temi" Acrylic on canvas, 2020

 Sometimes the creative journey takes a definite direction from a particular viewpoint with the end view clearly mapped out. However, unplanned diversions in time and space take the journey into limitless boundaries that could either make or mar the exploration exercise on the long run.

The drawing above was a product of colourful experiments with Ballpoint Pen on paper. Previous drawings had been rendered in lone colour.

Sometimes in 1996 when I was seriously engrossed in the drawing escapade at Zaria School of Art, Sculptor Kehinde Adewuyi (MFA student), my host then at 200 level, suggested that I should look into having multiple coloured drawings. Very caring suggestion, but I didn't bother to try it because I was still enjoying  the output and quite satisfied with the lone colour.

Years later, early 1999, I started series of colourful Pen drawings that has taken different dimensions of exploration till date. Most of them are in my private collections with the intention to create supporting acrylic or oil paintings like the one I have here as time and space permits.

This genre theme is a narrative relating to life of growing female adults in the rural settings where the local river or stream is the only source of water supply. Late afternoon finds them in group visitation to the stream. Opportune time to iron out strife or settle old grievance, behind the hut, along the path or by the running stream.

The drawing was executed on full imperial Strathmore paper in 1999, while the acrylic painting was created the following year on canvas measuring 74cm x 98cm.

The two artworks are available for collection together.

NB: Comments and criticism are welcome in food faith. Thanks for perusing this piece of write-up. 

Best regards.

Ballpoint Pen Drawing (Growing Hair)

"Growing Hair", Ballpoint Pen on Paper, 2020

 My immediate family has always been a source of inspiration for some of my genre themes. This particular drawing inspired the Hairdresser acrylic painting series I've been exploring for awhile now.

Titled " Growing Hair ", this study expresses the mother's believe in assisting the girl child to hasten the hair's growth through regular loosing and plaiting.

It was rendered with Bic ball-point pen, red, blue and black on Strathmore drawing paper 114 g/m2. Size is 59,4 x 41,9 cm. 2020.

NB. Available for collection

Illusion of less rain, extremely cold days ahead of winter

Sometimes we do not know why certain things are the way they were, and all we could do as artist is to rationalize it in our explorative platforms.

This narrative started some months later in the year 2023 in anticipation of times of abundant rain, only to find ourselves in the year 2024 enshrouded in an atmosphere that is almost related to the Antarctica space.

the painting is still in its foundation stages, open for extended explorations.

I hope to keep this conversation going until the work is finally completed.Warm and cold colour contrast expresses the desire of the mind, spirit, soul, and body at extreme encounter with otherwise harsh season.

"Sheltered" 66.5 cm x 122.5 cm. Acrylic on Canvas

Synchronization of line, colour, and form.

 Painting explorations with motifs from music is enshrouded in boundless possibilities. My recent encounter around this space opened up the exploration of the foregoing with narratives that relegated the object to the background where the chosen elements are brought forth for emphasis.

The two paintings presented here are the beginning of a project programmed to be unveiled before the year 2024 runs out.

NB. Concrete criticism is welcome in the comments. The paintings are still on the easel for further attention. 

"Konga" 120.5 cm x 82.5cm Acrylic on canvas

"Sound & Mind" 66.5 cm x 122.5 cm. Acrylic on canvas

Portrait of the Gbagyi Woman

"Portrait of the Gbagyi Woman"

The painting is the artist's synoptic portrait of a Gbagyi woman. 48" x 48" in size, Oil on Canvas signed and dated bottom right.

Gbagyi or Gwari are peaceful, and creative people living in North-Central geo-political zone of Nigeria. Gbagyi is the most populated, indigenous ethnic Group in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, where their major occupation is farming.

The Gbagyi people initially used to live on mountain tops because they believed they were safer on the mountain than at the plain before western civilization influenced relocation of most to the plain.

Very unique portrait of the Gbagyi woman is the placement of goods, however heavy, on their shoulder. She believes the head represents the ruler of the entire body, hence, it should not be burdened. To her, the load feel lighter on the shoulders than on the head.

Traditionally, when a man announces his interest in a Gbagyi woman, he would have to serve seven years in the would be father-in-law's farm, labouring and supplying grains and other farm produce to the bride’s house for her wellbeing. Nowadays, the groom simply pay the bride’s price instead of serving the traditional seven years.

The Gbagyi people are mostly farmers, and also well known for their visual art most especially pottery. Other arts practise include sculpture, iron smelting, and domestic craft.

Stylization of Forms 3

Fig. 1. "Against All Odds" 48"x78" Acrylic on Canvas.

Fig. 2. Painting sketch 21"x31" Acrylic on Canvas.

Graphite Sketch on Paper

Sometimes, the dictates of the creative in painting exploration requires outright sketches that inform the execution to the letter, of the project at hand. Nevertheless, when the mysterious takes over, the other option is to jump straight on to the ground for exploration and allow the creative juice flows reflectively, unhindered.

Stylization of Forms 3 explores the harsh condition of governance where the leader is compelled by the demands of the office to spearhead onslaught against the strange forces assigned to create chaos that distrupts peace in the community. Consultative dialogue and collaboration is the key that opens the door for peaceful coexistence.

This abstract expressionism painting is a triptych titled: "Against all Odds", Acrylic on canvas, 48" x 78" in size (Fig. 1). Each panel is planned to either exist individually or cohabit with the other two panels. The exploration started with a pencil sketch (Fig. 3), followed by a painting sketch (Fig. 2) that eventually translated into three panels.

The painting is simply the artist's subjective interpretation of daily life of the leader and the led in a prosperous nation under attack of insurgency sponsored by foreign influence. Some sleep with the two eyes closed, others with one eye closed not too certain what tomorrow would birth. One nation, different destinies!

Stylization of forms 2

 

"Fruit of the Womb" 45" x 45". Acrylic on Canvas.

It is the beginning of a great creative year 2023.
This piece is a genre abstract Expressionism dialogue that celebrates arrival of a new baby in the traditional Yoruba context.
Yoruba is a tribe in the South western part of Nigeria. The birth of a new baby brings together the entire family of the couple, friends and neighbours. From the first day, people throng to the house daily to rejoice with them. It used to be a time to catch up with latest gossip in town for those who has time to stay back for awhile.