Wanja:
I use facebook a lot and when I'm in a gathering where my friends are, I
introduce myself as an artist. At school I subsidize the prices and the
students are my main customers. They order, then come and buy from me
and life moves on.
WAI: Does your family support your artistic work?
Wanja: Yes, yes in fact my parents are my number one fans. They support me 100%. If I need anything to do with art they always help me.
WAI: So, how did you know about the BLAZE Summit in Eldoret?
Wanja: It was through my friend. In fact we were out on a school trip when my friend text me about the competition.I remember all the people who knew that I'm an artist, encouraged me to go and audition for the competition. I am very grateful to them for doing that.
WAI: What exactly did the competition entail?
Wanja: You just needed to have an idea, a business idea that can generate money and that can actually solve a problem in the society.
WAI: Congratulations on winning the BLAZE award, please share a little with us on what your idea entailed?
Wanja: Thank you Wendi. The idea I pitched was about Healing life organization. An organization that intends to use Art therapy-which is a form of therapy that uses the creative process of making art, to improve a person's physical, mental and emotional well-being.
It focusses on individuals with mental issues, those in rehabilitation centers, those with suicidal thoughts, depression, stress and frustration as well as young children to help them express themselves artistically, resolve issues as well as develop and manage their behaviors and feelings, ultimately reducing stress and improving their self-esteem and self awareness.
All these lead to promotion of personal development, increases coping skills and boosts the cognitive function. One does not need to be an artist to experience this. With the help of an Art Therapist, one will definitely feel comfortable. We'll do all these to bring healing to peoples' lives. A peaceful mind equals a happy life.
WAI: What inspired the idea?
Wanja: You know personally, after creating some drawings for some time. I had experienced much improvement in how I manage my behaviors and my feelings. My self esteem and my self awareness improved. I was able to deal with some issues in my life. So it pushed me to wanting to share it with people. I want people to experience what I experienced. I want people to manage their feelings and stress through art.
WAI: Did you expect to win the award when you went for the BLAZE Summit?
Wanja: The competition was stiff, because everyone in the creative arts pod presented. You know we have people with great ideas. And I thought they were just as good as mine. They were too good eh!I didn't see it coming.
WAI: Are you also getting a mentor to assist you with the idea?
Wanja: Yes, yes. The mentor who was actually talking to us in the pod is mentoring me for that. His name is Brian Wanyama the guy behind matwana culture.
WAI: What would you say to encourage a young artist who knows they can draw, write or sing well but they are hesitant?
Wanja: The first thing I'd say they put God first. God above everything. Then they need to believe in their dreams and put in the effort. They should avoid getting scared, fear kills the dreams.
I'd like to mention someone who has really helped me a lot. In fact he's been around all the time. He's called Daniel Juma. He's the executive director of Global Peace Foundation. He's been mentoring me since 2015. He has been with me since the day I decided to embrace art. So I owe it up to him, my parents, it's a team that has really pushed me to where I am now.
WAI: How did you meet your mentor, Juma?
Wanja: We met at USIU-A (United States International University-Africa) at an entrepreneurship conference ASENTI (African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation). I happened to present a portrait to one of the speakers Manu Chandaria then Daniel approached me because of that . He became a friend and a mentor.
WAI: That's so cool! Manu Chandaria is such a big shot, how did you get to present a portrait to him?
Wanja: He was to be the main speaker in one of those days the conference was taking place. So in the conference very many people were doing IT and they had inventions. I was the only artist around, it just felt awkward.
It was embarrassing you'd meet someone and they say I invented a machine and it can do this and I'm like Oh my God... And then someone would ask me so what do you do then I'd say I do portraits and I sell to people. Then they'd ask me, is that all you do?
I wanted to change the mentality of I'm just an artist and you guys are IT gurus and all. So because he was coming the following day. I went home and searched for a picture online then drew it overnight and gave it to him the following day.
Hehe I remember I really struggled and then I was so late for the conference that day. But I actually gave it to him and he was so excited. I changed that mentality by proving that artists are just as good as people doing IT. Art is a profession too. People need to start taking us seriously as artists.
So guys after reading about Wanja and her bold and passionate journey I hope you have drawn some inspiration. Keep in mind that we are all creative. After all we were all once kids and as Pablo Picasso put it so well... "Every child is an artist. The only problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." How are you remaining an artist?
12 comments:
This is inspiring, she is an exceptional artist.I wish her all the best in her Artistic journey
Thanks for reading 🙂. I agree. She's going to do great things with her idea, I can feel it.
Amazing. She's always been my mentor.
Thanks for reading Maru and I bet she is a great mentor to have.
Thank you Wendy...God bless you.
It was my pleasure. God bless you too.
Inspiring, I love the story, it feels like she is motivating me to keep going
This is amazing
I'm really glad her story has that effect on you 🙂 Ray.
Thanks for reading Abdul. It really is.
A nice piece about Wanja and her Art. I wish her all the best.
Thanks for reading Mum, I believe she has received your blessings :).
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