" There were times when I felt like giving up, but there was nothing else I was going to do and so I had to continue. I am determined to make it."
"I am a quiet person and I like to share my ideas with my friends. I've had a passion and love for art since my early childhood. While in primary school, I exhibited great talents which my teachers complemented and encouraged me to pursue art course both at the secondary and tertiary level.
"When I completed high school, the financial support at home was not there for me to further my education. My mother was single-handedly taking care of me and my two siblings. I decided to assist her at her shop, and when there was not much to do at the shop I would be sketching.
"One day a customer at the shop saw some of my sketches and took interest in them. He wondered what I was doing at the shop when I could draw such nice items. I narrated my story of lack of finances to pursue my education and he was willing to assist. My mother was not happy I was going to be enrolled in art school, her preference was for me to pursue another course to get a white collar job rather than being an artist. She thought artists were not successful and it was difficult to make money out of the art business. The customer managed to explain the benefit of becoming an artist and the fact that this was a natural talent I could easily excel given a little direction.
"My mother was convinced and decided to give it a chance to try it. The customer paid my entrance fees and I was enrolled at Ghanatta College of Arts and Design in Accra. Unfortunately, his work transferred him out of Accra and I could not get in touch with him. While at school, the cost of the materials needed for the practical work was high, and so I resorted to sketching more works on paper and selling them to get money to purchase my materials.
"Life at the college was so difficult. My mother once in awhile would assist me but generally, it was not easy. Being the first born, I thought I had to make it to enable me support my younger siblings. There were times when I was left out of school because I couldn't pay the fees, and I also had to repeat certain courses – not because I was not doing well in class, but because I missed most of the lectures, but that did not discourage me.
"I still continued with the sketches on paper and selling them. When I gathered enough money from the sale of the sketches, I went back to pursue my course. There were times when I felt like giving up, but there was nothing else I was going to do and so I had to continue. I am determined to make it.
"I made time to visit the internet to study about some of the renowned artists. It was during this visit that I came across a Novica company and how they support artists.
"I visited their office in Ghana to present two of the works I had made on canvas. I was able to obtain the canvas after selling some paper works. Novica wanted to have a little more of my works to know my style of painting but I told them at the office that it would be difficult to get more works since I couldn't afford the materials. But I managed to sell some works on paper and bought another canvas to create another work which I presented. Although I had only three paintings, I was given the consideration to display my works on their site, and I was so overjoyed. I'm grateful for this opportunity.
"I enjoy working in pencils. I enjoy shading both portraits and human figures in pencil. The materials I use are canvas, pencil, fixing spray which I get at the local market. It is challenging to bring out the design using pencil, but that is what interests me most about this style of painting. When I accomplish one work I feel so confident of my achievement.
"My greatest desire is to open an art shop where I could train young talented artists who do not have financial support to bring out the best in them. I also want to open an art gallery and a graphic design studio. I would also love to be home with my family.
"I get my inspiration from different sources such as the word of God, my mother, and also from renowned artists from all over the world."
