Global Courant 2023-05-31 15:41:40
My Pivot Journal is a weekly series from Ventures Africa that documents people’s career transitions from one sector to another, especially to technology.
Funmbi Adeoni is a talented artist who has had a deep passion for art since childhood. Although she never took her artistic aspirations seriously, the transformative events of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to embark on a journey of self-discovery and artistic growth. Now, through dedication and consistency, she has grown into a professional artist, bringing her unique creative vision to life. Here’s Adeoni’s pivot diary.
How it started.
I studied English and Literature, and since my high school days it was clear that I was going to walk the path because of my love of language. I’ve never had the same enthusiasm for math.
After graduation, my first plan was to pursue a teaching career. However, luck seemed to be on my side when I got an administrative position at Lead City University, a private university in Ibadan. After my year of service at Lead City University, I found myself enjoying the administrative work I was involved in, particularly within the accounting and management department. While the job was fulfilling, it also proved to be quite demanding due to its tedious nature.
Revelation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw many people demonstrating their skills online, which made me question my abilities and wonder if I lacked talent. I thought about what to do and I remembered my interest in drawing.
When I was in high school I had a talent for drawing biology drawings, and even during my college years I had made a portrait of myself and proudly displayed it in my room, receiving compliments from friends who came to visit. I thought of it as something fun, but not necessarily a special skill. With the pandemic, the opportunity came explore this path of personal growth.
Not long after I started, a friend commissioned me to do a portrait for them, and despite my misgivings I reluctantly accepted the task. The result was far from satisfactory, and when I shared it online, a friend bluntly advised me never to touch a pencil again, which made me feel offended. In a light-hearted way, my mother encouraged me by saying, “It has eyes, nose, and mouth. It’s fun.” Her words, while simple, carry a supportive message.
Despite not taking art seriously at the time, I was constantly drawn to it. When my mother urged me to get a job, I diligently searched and applied online, eventually landing a marketing position with a petroleum company. My responsibilities were to promote and sell their diesel products. Although the job was demanding, I remained steadfast in pursuing my artistic passion. I dedicated a year to this role and gained valuable experience in the field. But it was stressful and I had to drop the job. In my search for inspiration I came across an artist by the name Frank Sketches on Instagram, which had a significant following. I took a chance and contacted him and he replied asking if I would send him samples of my work which I promptly did.
Funmbi Adeoni
Transition.
Since the artist I interacted with lived far from my location, our communication was primarily online where I would send them my work for feedback and guidance. However, time constraints due to my job and other commitments prevented me from devoting as much attention to art as I would have liked. Nevertheless, my skills gradually improved over time and I saw a positive change compared to when I first started working with him.
Initially, my main goal in art was to improve my skills rather than earn money. I turned to YouTube to learn from veteran artists and gain valuable information. I learned from Arinze Stanley, Kelvin okafor, Jono Dry and the legendary art of Jason.
My first assignment came unexpectedly from a friend of my sister’s who wanted me to do a portrait. Interestingly, it turned out better than the previous work.
Along the line of learning, Tosin Toromade, a renowned artist in Ibadan, invited me to an artist meeting and then offered to guide me in painting. Last year I started my training with him, although my progress was hampered by other commitments and projects that kept me busy. Nevertheless, during the time I was able to dedicate myself to learning from him, I gained valuable knowledge and skills that greatly enriched my artistic journey.
In addition to using YouTube tutorials and attending training sessions, I’ve also taken to the Internet to discover the work of artists I hope to be one day. Whenever they host live sessions or share their creative process online, I join in to observe and learn from their techniques. I also regularly browse their art portfolios and social media pages. Sometimes simply observing their creations is enough to motivate me to start working on my pieces. As an artist, studying the work of others provides valuable insights and inspires my artistic endeavors.
How are you
I have fully embraced art as my profession and devote all my time and effort to it. And I’m making commendable growth in space. I offer artworks in different formats, each with its own pricing, for different budgets. However, some clients underestimate the costs and wonder why I charge a certain price for my work simply because it is ‘just a drawing’. However, the truth is that art supplies, from paper to erasers, can be quite expensive, especially when some are imported and not readily available in Nigeria. In my city, Ibadan, these materials can only be found in a few places.
Between several works, I have had the opportunity to make a portrait of Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos.
I plan to delve into painting and have already started acquiring the necessary materials. This has always been my dream. It has great potential for financial rewards especially by having my artwork displayed in galleries both in Nigeria and internationally. I am excited about the prospects the path holds for me.
Adeoni’s drawing.
Career Hack
One of the most important factors that got me to this stage of my career is consistency. It stands out as the most crucial element. If I hadn’t been committed to practice and given up along the way, I wouldn’t have reached the level of success I’ve achieved today.
Even the most talented individuals in the field need consistency to keep improving. This consistency is crucial not only for personal growth, but also for gaining recognition from others. Consistently honing your skills will establish you as a reliable professional, making people notice your work.
