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.

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

Dedication to Mothers

I have seen mothers' emotional attachment to their children of various age group at this universal trying times and I am short of words to describe the burden of uncertain future that we are forced to embrace all over the world.

Nobody knows tomorrow. Let us endeavour to enjoy every opportunity that we have to relate with each other while the moment lasts. We shall survive and live to tell the story in the not too distant tomorrow.

This painting is dedicated to all caring mothers. I do hope you share my feelings in this.

Title:        "Dear Mother".
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Size:         98 x 74 cm.
Year:        2020

My Mother by Ann Taylor.
(Very deep nursery rhyme for the ancient and modern)

Who fed me from her gentle breast,
And hushed me in her arms to rest,
And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?
My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,
Who was it sung sweet hushaby,
And rocked me that I should not cry?
My Mother.

Who sat and watched my infant head,
When sleeping on my cradle bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed?
My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,
Who gazed upon my heavy eye,
And wept for fear that I should die?
My Mother.

Who dressed my doll in clothes so gay,
And fondly taught me how to play,
And minded all I had to say?
My Mother.

Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.

Who taught my infant lips to pray,
And love God's holy book and day,
And walk in wisdom's pleasant way?
My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be
Affectionate and kind to thee,
Who was so very kind to me,
My Mother.

Ah no! the thought I cannot bear,
And if God please my life to spare,
I hope I shall reward thy care,
My Mother.

When thou art feeble, old, and grey,
My healthy arm shall be thy stay,
And I will soothe thy pains away,
My Mother.

And when I see thee hang thy head,
'Twill be my turn to watch thy bed,
And tears of sweet affection shed,
My Mother.

For could our Father in the skies
Look down with pleased or loving eyes,
If ever I could dare despise
My Mother?

NB. Comments & Criticism allowed.