Just musical

Title: 'Bata'_Medium: Pastel on paper_24"x34"

The drum is called Bata, one of the beautiful drums of the Yoruba tribe in the western part of Nigeria. It has a very unique dancing steps. The two ends of the drum are played simultaneously. When played with another one called 'Omele" the accompanied sound is beautiful.

This peace is also one of my exploits with pastel on stylization of the human form.

For more information about this work, my e-mail address is oluseyi.ajayi@gmail.com.

Blast from the past

 'Twins Performance'  Pastel on paper.  24" x 34"

In some cities of Western Nigeria, among the Yoruba tribe. It is common to see a young mother of a set of twins going round the city streets to beg for alms. Sometimes she would employ the services of a drummer to play for her while she sings along. It is believed that some twins' destiny requires that they are taken round begging for alms to be established in life.
In this pastel sketch the father has to join the performance. Traditional motifs is added for esthetics enhancement.

Oldies

Title: Rhythm-1, Chalk Pastel on Paper  8" x 10"

Once in a while I'll be revealing some of the old works that are still in my custody. This is the beginning of such experience. I was actually trying out my first Chalk pastel drawings and this is the outcome.

It's about two sweet-sound producers...the drummer and the flutist.

NB: You can contact me via e-mail: oluseyi.ajayi@gmail.com if you are interested in the original piece. Thanks for viewing

Women and Dignity Revisit

' Gwari Women-2 '  19" x 23" Acrylic on canvas

This is a follow up to the previous post on Gwari Women-1 http://ajayi-oluseyi.blogspot.com/2011/09/women-and-dignity.html bearing heavy loads on their neck area. They are usually agile, trekking long distances without showing any stress whatsoever.

The brush-work is a little bit heavier here...took up to three weeks to hands off. Quite an enjoyable painting experience.

Portraits Painting

Self Portrait, 10" x 14". Acrylic on canvas board

This is the beginning of my family portraits. My children enjoy watching the image emerges from the line drawings to finished painting. This is still on the easel and should be finished in the next three days with other paintings too. Am expected to do six individual ones and a group that consists of the six members of my family.

Working with acrylic makes painting this piece enjoyable because of the natural drying time. Oh! it's so wonderful.

Royalty 1

'Royal visit'  7.5” x 10.5” Acrylic on paper

When the emir come visiting, it’s usually with pomp and pageantry.  

Northern Nigeria

Women and dignity

Gwari Women 1 _12” x 14” Acrylic on canvas 

In Nigeria, Gwari women carry heavy loads on their neck, usually in a Basket or decorated Calabash.You need to see them carrying their load without any stress whatsoever. It's like they carry the burden of the family more than the men. What a culture or should I say tradition! 

This painting is the first that came out of the sketch previously posted. The second painting will soon be posted. NB. Gwari is a tribe in the North-western part of Nigeria.

Advice for Selling More Art Online - Lori McNee Artist

Advice for Selling More Art Online - Lori McNee Artist:

'via Blog this'

The Entertainers

Omele Duo 1 _12” x 14” Acrylic on canvas


Omele is the traditional name for the small set of drums (usually 2 or 3) that are played together to support the long drum called ‘bata’.  Two strips of dried leather serves as stick to play them. This painting is the first of three different paintings that came out of the drawings previously posted.

These are traditional music instruments that belong to the Yorubas, a tribe in Western part of Nigeria.

I hope to post the accompanying dance steps very soon.

Down memory lane 2

I started this painting, 'Alagbafo' together with 'Approaching the City' (yesterday's post), so the post is titled, Down memory lane 2. They are beautiful reminders of the growing years...quite captivating!

Alagbafo_11” x 14” Acrylic on canvas

 Alagbafo: A local laundry woman with two of her children at the stream.

During teen-age the family travels to the village during holidays, and one of the most thrilling part of the trip is the visit to the local stream. This painting is an imaginative one that dates back to yester-years encounters.

Down memory lane

Title: Approaching the city.  8.5” x 26” Acrylic on canvas 

Approaching the city:  The shepherd boy returns with the herd at dusk.The painting was rendered on three different panels arranged together.

While travelling towards the northern part of Nigeria during college days, scenes like this are very common and quite pleasing to behold. Did I hear you say, ‘ Down memory lane’ ? I sure enjoy working on the three pieces together. Below are the individual panels.

Approaching the city _Panel 1_8.5” x 9”

Approaching the city _Panel 2_8.5” x 8”

Approaching the city _Panel 3_8.5” x 9”