This week, we visit Mr. Nick Ondiwa, a Fine-Arts artist based in Gorofani Area, Kasarani. Nick’s journey in arts began way back in Primary School, where his Arts and Crafts teacher sparked his interest in the area.
His interest in Arts flourished further while he was in high school where he’d do his art and have the same pinned on the school’s notice board. Nick tells me he didn’t study art in college, but through experience and interest, he’s gone on to teach art to budding artists and has even managed to open his work- studio within the Gorofani Area.
Professionally, the 37-year-old gentleman has done fine-art since 2015. Nick tells me that starting out as an artist is very capital intensive, he however started off from personal savings.
His works include Murals, Portraits, and Landscapes. As far as prices are concerned, the artist doesn’t have a limit, his charges are flexible, to cater for different interests and clientele. This however, is if he is selling from his store. Nick markets his works through Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp.
He tells me that contrary to popular belief, the month of December tends to be a low-season period for the arts industry, while September, October and November are a bit better in Art Galleries.
The main challenges for him are marketing and acquiring the professional materials he needs for his work. Most art products, including paints, brushes, canvasses, etc are very costly. Another challenge is some of the big artists tend to bully upcoming artists by buying spaces in Museums/Galleries for longer periods, thus limiting the small and upcoming artists.
For his parting shot, Nick tells me that art requires a lot of discipline, time-wise and financially.
