BEAUTIFUL WITHOUT JOHNNY

How could a creative, independent and beautiful lady be running after Johnny? That was the question that haunted me on my first time of seeing Yemi Alade's power dance music video -Johnny, sometime last year.

Could it be that most young girls like to fall to the gimmicks and lies of such Mr. Johnny or is it the issue of self love lack? is a question I asked myself then based on the musical video story line.     Again I recalled talking to her back in Lagos on Rhythm 93.7fm guest Artiste call-in live show where she made a statement that resonated so much to me, which is this below;

'No matter who you are and what you do, don't let anyone bring you down, love yourself and your God given traits/abilities till you reach your pinnacle of success.' If enough girls could know this in time, stop making mistakes and focus on self love first, then there wont be the need or trouble of chasing one Johnny about.

Know thyself, be a better beautiful person you are is the keyword and that was my inspiration behind this portrayal piece depicting the talented, self confident, beautiful and bold Yemi Alade, who I bet would never need to chase any Johnny man around now. Congratulations on your Mama Africa album and numerous awards for the Nigerian music Industry.

MEASURING A MOTHER'S WORTH BY PENCIL

“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” —Robert Browning

My Mother's back (Eyin Iya mi) Pencil on Paper ''20x25''  (2009) 

 Private Collection

A mother's back is where one finds comfort,love and care always.In African culture, a child carried on the back by a mother basically experiences one of the best privileges from motherhood. It is always a thing of pride for a woman to back his/her child and certainly a blessing too. We believe that it more than just a matter convenience, but of pure connection and bounding after internal nine months phase.

My drawing here, from my behance project SERIES - Pencil & Pastel Drawings: Mother & Child Series 1 depicts the undivided comfort, trust and blessings a child enjoys or gets from sleeping, being carried by her mother. I always cherish, admire and feel deep respect for a woman, seeing her with such gestures or demonstrations of love and care.

We may all have been in our mother's back or arms, and my expression by my drawing here is to draw our attention to a mother's worth, being our carriage from pregnancy stage,as that safe place and consistent shelter of care,love and affection. Motherless babies or others may not have had such opportunities, but if you have had that, it is worth remembering, glad and thankful about. It is my appreciation and to ALL mothers out there, you are really wonderful because words,paintings or drawings are not enough.

“A mother’s arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them.” —Victor Hugo

THANK YOU AGAIN, LUPITA.

"I was just about to buy cream to lighten my skin when you (Lupita) appeared on the world map and saved me." - Unknown girl

                                                   

 Portrait of Lupita nyong'o I (from BEAUTY & COLORS OF LIFE series)    Pastel on Paper 64 x 77 cm (June 2015) by Okpeyowa Moses Marquis                                        

Every action we make has an effect on our family, people around us, society, the world in general.Are you part of the problem or the solution?Will things get better or worse if you do certain things? You have to make this choice for yourself alone, today and tomorrow. No matter who you are or what you do, there is someone looking up to you and you can be that source of encouragement, inspiration and role model. Just be true to yourself and your dreams. 

So here is to say, Thank You again for inspiring that girl and every other young African girl or child out there by what you do. This piece is dedicated to Lupita, and to every other beautiful, colorful souls and inspiring role model in Africa and in the world. This is a non commission portraiture and a personal project works from studio productions series.

See full cycle of artwork WIP stages on MarquisKreationz Fine Art And on my online portfolio at http://www.behance.net/Marquiskreationz Thank you and watch out for more.

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