Tobi Bolaji Wants to Add More Beauty to the World With His Arts

My artistic career began in 2005. That was the time when I used whatever paint I could find and any brush I could get my hands on. Later that year, a family friend suggested that I attend a Nike art workshop to learn more.
I was an apprentice in the workshop when I met professor Fabunmi, who recognised my interest in visual art and invited me to train more on abstract. It was nice there, but after 5 months, I had to leave to attend college.

I studied industrial design at the Federal University of Technology Akure, but I had to leave during my third year due to illness and personal issues. But I’ve been working so hard since then to give the world my all, and I never give up no matter what.
I used pointillism and ararism to create my paintings, which I adore because it’s always a pleasure to add more beauty to the art world, and I thank God I’m an Oshogbo artist because Oshogbo art has a rich history.

THI INTERVIEW WITH THE ARTIST

1. Where are you from and how does that affect your work?

I am from Nigeria and was born in Oshogbo. Oshogbo as a great history in art since 1963 and It gave me the opportunity to see so many artists work and to be able to create my own style.

2. Who are your biggest artistic influences?

My first influence was professor Fabunmi. He thought me to be unique in my work and when I read about Van Gogh biography it’s inspired me a lot not to give up on my dream.

3. Tell me about your favourite medium.

I love using oil paint but now I need my work to dry fast because its more complicate than before, so I use acrylic or gouache

4. Where do you find inspiration?

It happens mostly when I’m alone. The ideas will just keep coming.

5. Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Oh yes it helps me to believe in myself and to stay focus on where I’m going.

6. How do you develop your art skills?

Oh, by working hard every day and even when I am not working, I’m thinking about how to improve my work.

7. What’s the purpose or goal of your work?

My main goal is to achieve what nobody has ever done before in art

8. Which art trends inspire your current work?

I don’t know if you are talking about an art show or event but it’s none.

 Around March 2019 I got tired of painting to please people, so I made a promise to myself that I’m going to paint what I want and use the style that I want. So that’s how I came across the style I use now.

9.How has your style changed over time?

It’s my aim of bringing more beauty to the world through my art that changes my style from simple painting to using points and patterns to make art.

10. What is your favourite and least favourite parts of professional art?

I love every art, but my favourite is abstract.

11. What have critics and collectors said about your work?

I think collectors love my work cos one of them told me so, but they are scared of collecting my work because it’s unique and people love buy art they are used to.

And one time one collector looked at a painting of mine and said the patterns are too much. But I think what matters feel about my work is how. As long as I’m happy with what I do I believe it will also make someone else happy and I get a lot of people telling me that they love my work and that I should keep it up.