Miniature Painting Series ("Omele")

 "Omele". 16"x16", Acrylic on canvas. 2025.

This painting titled "Omele" is an abstract painting that further explored the synchronisation of lines, colours and forms. Omele is a descriptive name for a distinctive Yoruba drum. Juxtaposition of design elements pushes the narrative towards subjective interpretation.

The Omele drum plays a vital role in the group of Yoruba drums. In Yoruba culture, drums like Omele are not just musical instruments but vessels for communication, storytelling, and spiritual connection.

Significantly, Omele drums are a set of small drums beaten with a distinctive curved stick, typically used in ensembles to create complex rhythms and polyrhythms. There are different types of Omele drums, including Omele Ako and Omele Abo, each with its unique role in the ensemble. Omele Ako is often a group of three small differently pitched drums tied together and played by a single player, while Omele Abo is a double-headed drum that produces a unique tone.

Omele drums work together with other drums like the Iya Ilu to create a rich and dynamic sound. The Iya Ilu sets the pace and rhythmic style, while the Omele drums add flavor and texture with their fixed pitches and varied tones. This interplay between drums creates a captivating musical experience. Omele drums are used in various cultural contexts, including, Wedding ceremonies, . Traditional coronations, and Festivals. Omele drums are an integral part of Yoruba festivals, adding to the vibrant atmosphere and cultural celebration.

Conclusively, the Omele drum is a vital component of Yoruba music and culture, serving as a symbol of tradition, community, and artistic expression. Its unique sound and role in Yoruba ensembles make it an essential part of Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.

Miniature Series ("Iyun-Ade" (Crown Jewel).

"Iyun-Ade". 16"x16", Acrylic on canvas.

 Miniature Acrylic Painting. Metaphorically symbolic of the place of a virtuous woman in man's life:

"Iyun-Ade" (Crown Jewel). 16"x16", Acrylic on canvas. 2025.

The Crown: A Timeless Symbol of Power and Elegance

The crown is a majestic and iconic form of jewellery that has adorned the heads of royalty, nobility, and even deities for centuries. This regal headpiece is not only a stunning work of art but also a potent symbol of power, wealth, and prestige. From ancient civilizations to modern times, the crown has evolved in design, materials, and significance, yet its allure and majesty remain unchanged.

The crown holds significant cultural and historical importance in the context of the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria. In Yoruba culture, crowns are not just decorative pieces but symbols of authority, power, and spiritual connection.

Crowns are worn by kings (Obas) and chiefs in Yoruba society, signifying their authority and power. The crown is a visual representation of the wearer's status and role in the community.

Crowns are believed to possess spiritual powers, connecting the wearer to the divine. In Yoruba mythology, the crown is associated with the gods and ancestors, and is thought to hold mystical powers.

Crowns are an integral part of Yoruba cultural heritage, reflecting the tribe's rich history and artistic traditions. Yoruba crowns are renowned for their intricate designs, featuring beads, metals, and other materials. Crowns showcase the artistic skills of Yoruba craftsmen, who intricately design and adorn the crowns with symbolic motifs and patterns.

The crown, in the context of Yoruba culture and beyond, can be metaphorically related to the place of a woman in a man's life in several ways such as:

1. Adornments and Beauty: Just as a crown adorns the head, a woman can be seen as a precious gem that adds beauty and value to a man's life.

2. Support and Strength: A crown provides structural support and strength to the head, much like how a supportive woman can provide emotional strength and stability to a man's life.

3. Symbol of Honor: In many cultures, a crown is a symbol of honor and respect. Similarly, a woman can be a source of pride and honor for a man, bringing joy and fulfillment to his life.

4. Partnership and Unity: Just as a crown is placed upon the head, a woman can be seen as a partner who complements and completes a man, forming a unified whole.

This metaphorical connection highlights the importance and value of women in men's lives, emphasizing their roles as sources of beauty, strength, support, and partnership.

#woman #loved #delicious #light #crown #sweet #illusion

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 good 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.

Stylization of Forms

"Kaakaki" Acrylic on canvas, 48" x 78"

Right panel, 48" x 26"

Center panel, 48" x 26"

Left panel, 48" x 26"

The painting is a triptych rendition of the sketch below.

The exploration of forms proceeded with the intention to combine stylization of forms and abstract impressionism. But at this point I decided to sign-off. I really enjoyed this piece or should I say pieces. The beauty of this is that the three canvases could go together or stand individually.

From the Easel- 2017 sketch revisit

Graphite study for "Durbar"

While waiting for my MFA, PGD research defence at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2017. I was privileged to create sketches on abstract forms of  Northern genre. The sketch's theme revolves around one of the events that marks sallah celebrations in the northern part of Nigeria, Durbar. The event is usually marked with colourfully cladded participants which includes horse race.

Below is the beginning of a triptych acrylic painting rendition based on the sketch. Each panel is 122cm x 66cm. I intend to combine my two painting styles in the exploration.

The three pieces together, marks the beginning of an exercise that could take any direction at any point in time. Each could stand on it's own and when put together would still go as one piece. It is all about colour and forms creation.

 

Reflective ballpoint Pen Series

 

"Take your Choice"

"Enchanting"

"Behind the Veil" 

This series revolves around Portraiture study of silent or veiled emotion. Objects of study are brought together with the notion of portraying the heart of the subject matter.

Each theme is subjected to subjective interpretation guided by personal experience or intimacy with the objects presented.

However, title of each work is circumspectly chosen to indirectly guide the thought of the viewer towards the revelation of embedded truth in the core of the theme.

Artworks were created on Strathmore Paper with Bic brand of ball-point pen, black, blue and red.

Hairdresser 2

 

Daughters of Eve Series 2

 "Forbidden Fruit" Acrylic on Canvas.

152.5 x 68.5 cm. 2021.

" And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and eat..." - Genesis 3:6 (Amp.)

The eyes that see are not common. One wonders how long Eve had been in the garden of Eden and never considered the virtues enshrouded in the fruit of that particular tree in the middle of the garden until the serpent drew her attention to it.

How many hidden virtues the individual carries that could turn the life around victoriously wealthy, and also affect life uncompromisingly when they are prematurely exposed.

"Forbidden fruit" is an insight into the mood of the daughters of Eve that erred, in deep thought about possible retribution of a failed trust. It is representative of an average individual's exposure to error of judgement when off-guard.

The painting is the second of the Daughters of Eve series. An impressionistic, stylization of the nude and head silhouette.

Comments and criticism allowed. Thanks for viewing. 

Legend of Oldies 2

"Afro Beats Legend"

120 x 82 cm. Acrylic on Canvas.

This second piece on Legend of the Oldies, reflection on the image of past heroes of Nigeria music industry is a visual composition of the late Afro beat legend 'Abami Eda (Strange Creature)', Fela Anikulapo Ransome Kuti.

A life lived in spiritual, emotional and physical struggle that culminated in a sudden struggled departure from mother-earth.

The music legacy he left in this part of the universe is still relevant today as the struggle for peace continues...

 

Reflection from the hearts - Apple of my Eyes

Title: Apple of my eyes (Virtuosity)

Medium: Ballpoint Pen on paper

Size: 30.5 x 42cm.

Woman of virtue!

Give her the opportunity of fruitfulness... see her at that state of unflinching truthfulness.

Fashionably Ancient and Modern Studio Extension

 The weather was calm and cool and I couldn't resist extending my studio to the back of the living quarters. You can't compare the natural light outside with the subdued one inside the studio created with artificial light. I do hope these excite some curiosity or memory of some sort. Enjoy the ride.

Fashionably Ancient and Modern,

Acrylic on Canvas 39" x 29". 2020

Ball-point Pen Drawings - In the beginning

The journey of a lifetime always starts from somewhere. Its like the day a new life is born physically or spiritually and most importantly a creative endeavor, more like the beginning of my ball-point pen drawings.

It all started in 8th of July 1993 precisely. I needed to create sketches for a flute player and just picked up the available pen with me then. The result was astounding... prompted more research and practice that has never stopped challenging the unending possibility of a masterpiece. I kept on exploring the fluidity of the different types of brand of ball-point pen and papers available. The search continues. ho[e to post some of the early drawings in the nearest future. below are the drawings from a 1993 sketch pad

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.