Last one from 2010...on the drawing board

Nothing to be wasted. 12" x 17" Pen & Ink 2010

This is from an old reference picture. I'll post the picture as soon as am able to locate it.

Thanks for being there. God bless You.

After a long break

' Cane Basketry ' Pen & Ink. 21" x 34" 2013

' Cane Basketry ' Pen & Ink. 21" x 34" 2010

' Cane Basketry ' Pen & Ink. details 2010

This drawing is all about appreciating the deftness of the Nigerian woman at weaving. Be it Hair adornment, mat, or cane, it's really delighting to watch them at work. Here she is working on a basket for packaging Christmas gift.
Are you wondering why it took me so long to complete a drawing?

We shall not go blind in Jesus' name. I was actually doing good on my drawing when I suddenly discovered that if I did not squint my eyes I won't be able to see details of anything on paper. It was then I discovered that long hours at the computer-monitor is actually bad for sight. It was a serious battle because I don't really want to use reading glasses. I have my glasses now and I'm enjoying good art....ing. It's great to be back anyway. Four great drawing projects were abandoned then, three is completed now and the last one is on it's way.
Thank you for being there and here. God bless you. You can contact me if you are interested in this piece or any other one through: oluseyi.ajayi@gmail.com.

In case you want more information about the use of cane, you can check here: http://www.wickerwoman.com/articles/cane-and-reed

From The Depth (A drawing experience)

'From The Depth'  Pen & Ink, 17" x 24" 2013

'From The Depth'  Pen & Ink, Detail-1

'From The Depth'  Pen & Ink, Detail-2

This drawing was inspired by a recent encounter with some children at a deep well some kilometers from the city. It reminds me of some childhood escapades when we were asked to go in search of water for the family. Children of ages 8-12 would go out in groups, and might not come back in time because of the scarcity of water. Thank God that has changed now.

I actually started this and about three other drawings ( One posted http://ajayi-oluseyi.blogspot.com/2013/10/precision.html and two to be posted soon ) in 2010 and had to leave it until recently due to vision challenges.

After the initial graphite (pencil) drawing, it took me about six different sessions of about 5-7 hrs each before it was completed. Below are the recorded sessions

From The Depth_ 2nd Session

From The Depth_ 3rd Session

From The Depth_ 4th Session

From The Depth_ 5th Session

From The Depth_ 6th Session

 To actualize this, my children would sometimes pose for me in the middle of the exercise as soon as they return from school. And when they become restless or tired, I would photograph them for continuity.

Here you meet them:

From left: Peace (5yrs), Okiki-Jesu (11yrs) & Ope-Oluwa (8yrs)

Very lovely, encouraging children. They so much enjoy the creative process... seeing great artworks emerge from plain support (paper or canvas), always asking what is coming next or 'When are you going to paint now, daddy?' 

A video recording of part of the final session was created, it's a 55 mins compressed to 3 mins. I hope to upload it soon.

Recording the exercise

Thank you for creating time to check on my blog. Comments are welcome.

You can also contact me via e-mail:

oluseyi.ajayi@gmail.com. God bless you.

 

Precision

" Precision " Pen and ink. 21" x 34" 2013

Any slight error in the measurement of the clothin before cutting could be very costly, so she has to be very careful. The drawing was executed between 18 to 24 hours. Thanks for taking time to view this blog. Comment is welcome. You can also contact me through my e-mail address: oluseyi.ajayi@gmail.com.