Today we’d like to introduce you to Ochuware Akpene.
Hi Ochuware, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always had a love for the arts for as long as I can remember. My mom owned a bakery growing up; it wasn’t her main source of income, but it was her passion, her baby, and I remember dragging my sleeping bag next to her chair as she sketched out her newest cake design, and I would always ask to help. She would let me pick the flowers she added to the cakes or the colors for the icing. It was little things like that that watered the creative seed that was buried within the soil of my soul.
It was a long journey; art didn’t seem to come easy for me. I often gave up and was frustrated with my lack of progress. It felt like a cruel joke played by fate; something I loved for so long didn’t seem to love me back. But that’s the thing with love; it takes time, a lot of it. It takes patience and trial and error, so I kept at it, I kept drawing, I kept writing, and I kept creating.
The nickname Sunny I have comes from my mom and my friends calling me their sunshine; my mom would often sing “You Are My Sunshine” to me as I grew up, and just like the sun, I kept showing up for myself; persistent and unwavering, even when it felt like I was covered by clouds for days or even weeks, I made sure to keep at what I loved, to be my own sun, so that the seed that had been watered could bloom.
While I am still growing, I have made significant progress from where I once was, and my hard work has paid off. The works I make now are able to bring that same joy to those around me; I am able to share the universes within my mind with the world, and now when my baby brother pulls up his chair next to me as I draw, I can help water that creative seed within him just as mine once was.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not; I’ve had to take breaks from art as I’ve had to juggle life and school. Starting out college and having to put art aside as it isn’t seen as a profitable job market or something of value, especially with the rise of A.I, has been one of the most taxing parts of being an artist in today’s society.
I was also diagnosed with a plethora of chronic pain issues that have made drawing and creating difficult. I can’t draw for as long as I used to, and that has been a bit discouraging when it comes to creating, but I find new ways everyday to adapt my art to make my creating accessible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in digital art and illustrations, but I am a mixed media artist; I work with paints, charcoal, graphite, etc. I don’t believe in limiting myself to materials when it comes to art; I even consider cooking an artform to an extent. I also write poetry and prose and have had some of my works featured in art galleries and events, but what I am most proud of is my graphic novel I’ve been working on for the better part of 7 years.
While honing my skills as a digital artist, I used my skills as a writer to world-build for my novel. I believe the time and passion I have invested in this project is something that speaks to my love of the arts. Some might call it stubborn to persist on something for that many years but I see it as a love letter to art, a testi
many of my dedication to my craft. Even when I didn’t have the skill level to bring my vision to life, I persisted, and now I can create whatever my mind so desires. That is what it means to me to be an artist.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My friends and family, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by artists growing up; they are the ones who motivated me constantly and would always be excited to see my next piece even when my skills were less than lackluster. They would always be in my corner cheering me on and letting me know that even when I took breaks from creating, they would always be there in the end to acknowledge my work and dedication.
It motivated me to be better so I could show them their support meant the world. It has been surreal being able to achieve what they told me I could for so long and being able to have them proudly show off my art and say that they knew I could do it. Plus it doesn’t hurt that my baby brother thinks I’m the coolest person ever now.
Pricing:
- Sketch commisions – $25-$50
- Fully rendered illustrations – $65 – $200
- Backgrounds- $50 – $ 175
- Commercial Designs – $350 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunnydraws.my.canva.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnie_doesart/
- Other: sunniedrawsart@gmail.com
