On the Easel - Mother and Child (Fashionable)

Fashionably Ancient & Modern,
Acrylic on Canvas 39" x 29"

Took time to really conclude on this piece.

I was attracted to the strong contrasting light on the mother compared to the shade around the daughter. And found myself undecided on whether to treat the full figures of the models or taper it down to the bare necessities the work requires from expressionistic approach.

Looking forward to a fulfilling painting escapade. Thank you for being there always.

Legendary Blind Minstrel

'Kokoro’ the Blind Minstrel
Acrylic on canvas, 75 x 100cm

                                            

'Kokoro, the Blind Minstrel'
Acrylic on Canvas. 39" x 29"

Red ball-point pen Drawing Series 1

                                            

Quite challenging motif dedicated to late Benjamin Aderounmu popularly known as 'Kokoro'.

Below is a brief biography of the legendary one-man band musician:

Benjamin ‘Kokoro’ Aderounmu (25 February 1925 – 25 January 2009) was a widely known blind minstrel from Lagos, Nigeria. He was born into a royal family in Owo, Ondo State, and became blind when he was aged ten. He developed a unique style of singing accompanied first by a drum, later by a tambourine. He moved to Lagos in 1947, where he became exposed to major local musicians such as Ayinde Bakare, Bobby Benson and Victor Olaiya.

In the 1960s and 1970s he featured regularly on Federal and local radio stations, and was widely respected for the depth and wisdom of his lyrics. An early pioneer of Jùjú music, he sang in Yoruba about love, money, conflicts and urban decadence. He had wide influence on other musicians.

The author Cyprian Ekwensi wrote a fictionalized version of his life in his novel for adolescents, The Drummer Boy. He performed in many cities in Nigeria and overseas. Kokoro died shortly before the planned release of his album titled Igi Araba.

                                                    Thanks for being there always.

Watch Over Me (Ball-point Pen Drawing)

Title:        Soul Tie.
Medium: Ball-point pen on paper.
Size:         41.9 x 59.4 cm.
Year:        2020.

Bond between growing siblings could be so deep. Especially when the parents are delayed one way or the other in their engagement and keep out so long and the wards are becoming apprehensive of their absence.

Childhood memoir (Triptych Miniature)

"Village Stream" Acrylic on Canvas, 25 x 129 cm

" Stream Chores "(Left Panel, 25 x 43 cm)

" Fish Net " (Center Panel, 25 x 43 cm)

" Setting Out " (Right Panel, 25 x 43 cm)

Yuletide holidays in the village was usually a time of exploration of life outside the city. one of the most cherished times is visitation to the village stream at sunrise. Then you have the privillege of the day's morning bath as you swim until the eyes turn red. Wonderful encounters indeed