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.

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.