White Handkerchief

"Betrothed" 68.5 x 152.5 cm Acrylic on Canvas. 2020

The painting is first of Daughters of Eve Series. Impressionistic stylization of the female figure with head silhouette in colours. 

Virginity of a maiden yet to be married is a unique aspect of the marriage institution among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. It used to be a respected intimate part of conjugal union between a bride and groom.
Until recent times, when the groom returns to the bride's parents a day after the  wedding with a white handkerchief stained with the outcome of the couple’s first night together after their marriage, as a sign of appreciation that their daughter has not failed them in keeping her maiden's flower intact before marriage, they wouldn't mind the cost of celebrating the wedding again with family and friends.

This painting is a dialogue on such a scenario. Here the deed is done and the elders waiting to hear from the husband study the symbol while the bride is still basking in the euphoria of her recent encounter.
Very few family still observe the tradition today, lots of subjective challenges and peer pressure on growing adults in the society has overtaken the importance of chastity. It has become every man for himself. Life goes on whichever way it turns.

Thanks for viewing, criticism and comments are welcome.

Pursuit

"Pursuit" Acrylic on Canvas.  74 x 98 cm. 2020 

The horses broke loose and took to the wild. A reflection of the desire to be free from shackles of bondage. Equine is known for strength and stability... The Holy Bible has this to say about the horse in the book of Job 39:20-25 (Good News Bible)
Job 39:20  Did you make them leap like locusts and frighten people with their snorting? 

Job 39:21  They eagerly paw the ground in the valley; they rush into battle with all their strength. 

Job 39:22  They do not know the meaning of fear, and no sword can turn them back. 
Job 39:23  The weapons which their riders carry rattle and flash in the sun. 
Job 39:24  Trembling with excitement, the horses race ahead; when the trumpet blows, they can't stand still. 
Job 39:25  At each blast of the trumpet they snort; they can smell a battle before they get near, and they hear the officers shouting commands. 

Quite Symbolic of a real man, someone with the determination to make headway whatever cost is required without looking back... irrespective of gender.

Miniature Paintings from Archives

Below are miniature paintings from personal private collections

Acrylic paintings rendered without colour white as tint.

Size ranges from 7" x 9" to 11" X 14" On canvas board.

Eso irun didi

Flutist

Snookers

Here and there

Painterly efforts continue with 'Jubilation'. Women, in their unique group could be very unpredictable when excited. Acrylic on canvas.

'Jubilation' Acrylic  on Canvas, 104 x 80 cm. 2020

Womenfolks' Acrylic  on Canvas, 74 x 98 cm. 2020

  

Equine Digital Painting

It's been a wonderful encounter working with Photoshop digital software. The Horse as a model with the graceful poise has always been a fascinating subject for exploration. The following images are created with emphasis on strong highlight pitched against shades of colours in the shadow.

Images are available in High resolution for interested collectors.

Contact email: seyiajayistudios@gmail.com

' Goldie Portraiture ' 16" x 24", Digital Painting 2020.

'Duo Grazing I' 20" x 24", Digital Painting 2020.

'Grazing II' 18" x 24", Digital Painting 2020.

Vintage Portraiture

It's Grandma's birthday, 14th February, and everyone is saddled with

the responsibility of making it a memorable one.

She, probably might not remember or recognize the image that was selected

for this piece of Artwork, separated as her special Birthday Gift.

Time tells.

"Good Old Days" Acrylic on Canvas, 46 x 61 cm. 2020

Recent Ball-point Pen Drawings

Great folks!
God bless you more for being there always.
My apologies for absence from blogging these past months, a lot has being unfolding behind the scene. Glory be to God for the blessed, wonderful, encounters.

Below are some of the drawings I was able to put together:

1. "Love-Birds"

" Love Birds ", Ball-point Pen on Paper, 24.5 x 37 cm. 2020.

Commissioned Portraiture in Ball-point pen on paper. the rendering took about 96 hours before it was ready for ink-print. Quite a rewarding encounter!

2. "WOMENFOLKS"

" Womenfolk: Dialogue behind the walls" Ball-point Pen on Paper. 50 x 70cm. 2019.

 

The theme is a dialogue on one interesting aspect of the ideals of African womenfolk. Average African woman finds it convenient to either gist or argue each other out over feminine issues as she goes about the daily household chores that involves others within or outside her immediate family.


3. "LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER"

" Like mother, like Daughter", Ball-point Pen on Paper, 24.5 x 37 cm. 2019.

A chronicle of feminine seed transfer from mother to daughter.

Daughter has her secrets... the mother has hers, which would not be divulged to anyone... 

yet she insists on knowing what is behind the daughter's veil.

Quite generational!

Thanks for being there always great folks.

Regards.