Ugonna | Artist
1. Tell us about yourself
I feel like I don't know myself when I'm asked questions like this, haha. But to start off, my name is Ugonna, it originates from Nigeria. I am 18 years old and currently reside in Baltimore, MD.
2. Where did your love for art originate from?
My love for art came to me in a weird way actually. My brother would always draw doodles and sketches for his classes and I thought to myself, "Hey, I want to be better than you at that because I don't want you to be better than me at it". So from there, that's literally how it all came about haha, and I loved it ever since.
3. What is the process of creating art like for you?
Well for one, I'm self taught. I never took classes other than the art classes I had to take in high school but teachers tend to just repeat the curriculum every year so you don't really "learn" new things.. at least that's how it was at my school. I learned new techniques through my best friend YouTube. YouTube has so many tutorials and everything that people should take advantage of. So I basically just used those techniques and you also have to take your time when trying to create anything. If you rush through something, you get a rushed, sloppy looking product.
4. What are some obstacles you have faced as an artist? What are some victories?
Obstacles... hmm... there's always people that are going to be better than you. It sucks to hear that but that only means that you should always try your best and be original. You could draw an eyeball and someone else could draw a more detailed eyeball. Make yours different. Make the iris show a story, turn the eyelashes into wings.. make it different. As for victories.. it's great when you make a drawing for someone and you see a bright flash of happiness come across their face knowing that you took the time to make that drawing for them.
5. What advice would you like to you give other artists who want to perfect their craft?
Patience, practice and persistence. The 3 P's. No one comes out drawing like Picasso the first time they hold a paintbrush.. but if you do, you're blessed.
6. What makes you original?
I am original because I make my pieces how I expect them to look regardless of whether you love it or not.
