Painting has been my childhood favorite thing although when l was growing there were no art schools in my village so l had to do everything on my own.l loved to draw pictures of my classmates but mostly l loved to draw pictures of animals and of course cars. One of my neighbors,a teacher,Mr Hosea Osambo recognized my talent then,he used to buy me art materials from the nearby town,my special thanks to him for having given me the support and encouragement that l needed most. I loved the challenges that came along as l struggled to find my place in the art world.Along the way l met a few people without whom l will not be where lam today I will forever cherish and thank my late aunt Grace,who recognized my love for art.When l went to stay with her after high school she bought me art materials too and supported me all through until l was confident enough to take my first painting to an art gallery in Nairobi I worked with various art galleries in Nairobi,however,only two galleries made a mark in my art career.Mr Zahir of Artz Gallery at village market,was very supportive towards some of my many painting styles that l do today.To this day we still work together and he is a good friend
Mr Jabir of Essajee art gallery now at corner plaza cuts the cake.This is a man who devoted a lot of energy and finances to support upcoming artists. am one of the beneficiaries of his kindness,through his guidance l developed various styles.The most outgoing style is my market scene painting that he helped develop. He made us feel like one family of artists.Many are times when we didn’t have money to buy art materials,he came in handy by giving us small loans to survive.To this day l always wonder if personally l could have made it as an artist had it not been for him. Whenever am in Nairobi and find a little time to pay him a visit it gives me a lot of joy to see him smile the same way he used to smile then.Mr Jabir, my special thanks to you,may God bless you always.
The following people have also contributed greatly in my art career. Mr Quinto Onyango gave me the boost l really needed in the early 90s when he bought so many of my paintings.
Nancy McDaniel has been very helpful ,she has also been buying paintings from me for many years.
Michael Ellis is one of a kind, ever since l met him he has been bringing clients to our gallery hence giving us lots of business.
Gibbs farm has also been very helpful in giving me a platform to show case my art through the artist in-residency program which l was a pioneer artist.
I would not want to forget my friend Kerstin Cameron who indirectly triggered the urge to open an art gallery hence Trek Afrika Art Gallery.
There are so many of you out there who have recommended me to your friends and it has always struck gold for me, thank you all very much.
Finally time came when l had to fly with my own wings,and so that’s how Trek Afrika Art Gallery was born.After many art exhibitions in Arusha town l decided to open the gallery.At first l was the only one displaying but with time the number started to grow.My brother Zack joined me and his paintings have brought lots of excitement to our clients.He crashes egg shells and pastes them on canvas or paper.
Ndeveni is our prized watercolor artist who has diversified the rules of watercolor painting to his advantage. His watercolors are in a class of their own.The sharpness and emotions found in his paintings is so moving that you will want to keep looking at them.He puts life in his animals.
We also work with the children who normally come to paint with us on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.The first time they came to the Gallery l sent them away because they were making so much noise l could not paint in peace,they went away but came back the next day,l still sent them away,however,when they showed up on the third day ,l knew right away that am “stuck with them” .I gave them paper ,paints and brushes,when they started to paint l was left speechless.l couldn’t help but marvel at the potential that was trapped inside them rearing to come out.When l look at them painting,they transport me back to my childhood days when l was learning how to paint .Many are times when we sell their paintings.lt gives me a lot of satisfaction to see them start to earn money at an early age.The money they get goes along way in helping their parents pay some bills.This is something that makes me want to wake up another day and paint.
