THE JOURNEY OF A YOUNG ARTIST IN THE FIELD OF ART (DRAWING AND PAINTING)

What is your name?

I’m Joseph Njoroge Maina commonly known as Josey arts. I hail from Murang’a county, Kigumo sub-county, Marumi village.

How old are you?

I’m in my mid-thirties.

What is your business type?

Fine arts specifically drawing and painting i.e. portrait painting, landscapes

How long have you been in this business?

I have been in this business since 2013 when I graduated so roughly this is my tenth year. But it all started as a hobby since I would draw my classmates and charge them Ksh10 before I graduated. ‘Says laughing’.

When did you notice you have this talent?

I noticed I loved drawing before I joined school but I didn’t know it was a talent. In primary school, I was topping in drawing diagrams and I would also draw for my classmates. In high school, I loved drawing teachers but I got punished.

What were you doing before you fully joined this job?

I have taught for 4 years – 3 years under TSC as a CRE/HISTORY teacher thinking there was satisfaction but I didn’t get it. In 2013, I worked as a teacher for 2 years under the BOM terms in South Tetu Girls’ High School. Later I joined Ituru Boys High School in Gatundu for 3 years. I resigned to do art and focus on my talent.

After quitting TSC, I was employed by Riara Group of Schools to teach art in primary school and worked there for two and a half years. At the end of 2020, I quit to focus on art as a self-employed person.

What inspired you to join such kind of business?

I enjoy doing it since it’s a talent, feels good for being paid for what I love doing, it’s a natural talent and motivation from artists before me.

How long does it to complete one piece of artwork?

A4 takes 3-5 hours depending on the details. Some take I hour and other photos take up to 40hours.

What is your price range for interested clients?

49- 1400 dollars (Ksh 7,000-200,000) depending with the size. A4 is the cheapest and A0 being the most expensive.

How can the government help in your business growth?

I’m a teacher who train hence with CBC I can contribute to art as a subject by inspiring and mentoring students
I can train youths, drug addicts and disadvantaged children in children home and streets. The government can provide materials and facilitate such activities.
I can be a voice of hope to the hopeless.
The government can promote my work by ensuring each government office has artworks.
The government can organize for artists’ art exhibition which can be done by every government department.

How can the foreign market influence your business?

Exporting artwork can earn lots of foreign exchange. Western countries love arts and this can be a benefit to me. I believe there are good opportunities out there where I can expose my brand to international markets and do exhibitions outside my country.

What can you name as the achievements in this business?

Self-satisfaction and fulfillment because I do what I love and fulfill what I should fulfill.
I’m able to meet a lot of people whom I never knew I will meet like celebrities and government officials.
Travelling a lot
I have been able to nurture a lot of talents among the youth and children.
Through art, I can pay all my bills and income from this business sustains my family and me.

What I have achieved now, I would have achieved it in 20 years if I would still be working with TSC.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

To get well known internationally because locally am well known. Also I would love to do exhibitions outside the country and my artwork getting into many homes outside Kenya.

What are the challenges faced?

Unstable market
People locally are not appreciating arts example exhibitions.
High costs of art materials and tools i.e. shortage of inks leading to doubling of prices.

What advice can you give to the young people?

‘ Kila mtu ajaribu kutafuta kitu anachopenda kukifanya ‘ – Find your talent.

Identify with what you love without getting bored, build it and monetize it.

‘ Watu wasidhani majob za office ndio hulipa vizuri’ – People shouldn’t think that white collar jobs are the best paying jobs.

What are your social media handles?

Facebook – Josey arts

Instagram – Josey arts

Tiktok – Josey Arts

Twitter – Josey arts

Likedln – Josey arts

Email: joseyarts018@gmail.com

TEL: +254713614607