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.

PRIVILEGED & BLESSED EXPECTATION

'Previleged & Blessed Expectation' Pastel on Paper ''20 x 30'' (2015) 

Read MORE here about the inspiration for this piece.

WHY I STILL MISS THE WOMB

                                       'I still miss the womb' Watercolor & Pastel on Paper  ''11.5 x 15.5'' (2015)                                              by Okpeyowa Moses Marquis

She was born into this world without any prior notice or letter of eviction from the womb and all its comfort.
There were shouts of joy and jubilation as she emerged into this world, from the womb and all its warmth to her.The Womb, oh her mother's womb, how much she missed that place and the very safe haven from the noisiness outside here.

So she was born, into the arms of her mother's world, hoping to get much Love, care and comfort like she did from the womb.Would this new world be safe enough, provide enough and nurture enough too,she wondered?Whatever this world brings her way or gives, she humbly accept and embrace as she leaves the womb, her only throne, that will be greatly missed.

This piece was done from an internet photo, dedicated to ALL new born and the little children in Africa, whose present given care,reality and environment is challenging and tough for their upbringing, but yet still thriving, surviving and growing in the place they have been born into.I pray and hope for more brightly, assuring, safe and enriched future for every African infant and children.

#Drawing #Watercolor #Pastel #Africa #Womb #Love #Care #Comfort #Girl-child #Reality #Future

SHOULD IT BE SWEAT DREAMS OR SWEET DREAMS?

 

 'sweet Dreams' - Pastel on Paper 64x77cm/''25x30'' (2015) by Okpeyowa Moses

This pastel piece was inspired from a sketch of a girl at my mechanic's yard in Ikorodu,Lagos Nigeria early 2015. I went to fix a little issue on my car and there I saw her, under the shade of a tree, resting and sleeping with her remaining goods of fruits that she hawks and sells around the mechanic village yard carefully placed by her side. 

I then quickly and affectinately took a shot of the girl with my phone and then translated it into a sketchwork while waiting for the service work by the mechanic, which I then used for this work.I learnt of her name, Mojisola, who sells fruits, a girl-child and she needs to rest, sleep and also enjoy the good comfort that comes from a night sleep like every other girl, which was my vision and inspiration.

Sweet dreams captures that moment and seized opportunity of a young, tired and industrious Nigerian teenage girl after a day's time of combining school,selling for extra family income and home chores as she sleeps and yet still dreams of possible, colorful and sweet future ahead of her amidst the present struggles and reality.

Sleeping is beautiful, we all need that moment of being lost in our own colorful sweet dreams no matter how stressful and challenging our day had been.I felt a deep concern too for the still missing Nigerian Chibok girls as I wonder where they sleep, rest and live. Would they be having sweet dreams or not? I dont know, but I also dedicate this piece prayerfully for them. Amen.

#Girlchild #Africa #Nigeria #Sleep #BringbackOurGirls #Pastel #Drawing #Marquiskreationz

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.

#LupitaNyong’o #AfricanStar #Hollywood #PastelArt #Marquiskreationz #AfricanBeauty #ProudlyKenyan #GodblessLupita #NaturalBeauty #PastelDrawing #WeLoveLupita  #Mexico #GirlChildMatters #OkpeyowaMoses #BlackIsBeautiful