Redefining The Art Space with Fola David

Fola David is a seasoned Pencil Artist and Nigeria’s Foremost Speedpainter. He is well known for his hyperrealistic works and his ability to create paintings of his subject life and upside down in less than 5 minutes. He has worked with many local and international celebrities like TreySongz, Wale, Keri Hilson, 2Baba, Jidenna, Rkelly, Iyanya, Alibaba and Patoranking to name a few. His works are also in several academic institutions, galleries, and private collections worldwide.

Below is a Summary from the Radio show Redefining the Art Space with Fola David.

While recounting his childhood memories the speed painter and Medical doctor said that he had started out as a speed painter while in medical school. He spoke to the fact that he was only able to balance doing art while in medical school because he managed his time and was on the lookout for opportunities.

He started by creating art pieces and putting it up on the school’s notice boards for a while and after a short time; gained recognition for his art pieces. Speaking on his first pay as an artist, he recalled that while in Primary school, he once made a drawing of a man on a bike and his teacher liked it and gave him a 50-naira note.

To the inspiration behind his paintings, he said his paintings were inspired by his aspirations for the future and the pressing issues he experiences as a medical doctor. He spoke about the sense of fulfillment and happiness he derived when speed painting in front of an audience coupled with the financial freedom he enjoyed.

He was of the opinion that speed painting was very lucrative if one could be very creative in doing it. He revealed that he sometimes took breaks in between working as an artist and a medical doctor. He advised up and coming creatives to be creative with their art pieces all the time as people would soon begin to patronize them.

He urged up and coming artists to harness the power of social media, to start from wherever they may be and to make sure to let people see their artworks. He also advised young talents to ensure to be consistent as their day of recognition may not come easily but to continue so they can have a body of work to show in the coming years.

He explained that for one to create great art they needed to have the skill, the confidence, a perspective and a unique story with a message that can evoke a feeling from the audience. He announced that he would be having an art exhibition with his management by November at Victoria Island, Lagos.

In positioning oneself for jobs, he advised upcoming artists to always document whatever they do as people are looking to see progress, consistency before they give out jobs. Discussing the possibility of standing out in one’s space, he said that he had been able to build relationships while sharing his artworks on social media and is able to get referrals. He revealed that recently he was just able to sell some of the art pieces that he had done 4-5 years ago, to this he advised artists to keep creating art pieces and to never stop.

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