Fiona W. Maina (@fiona_theartist) is a Lawyer by profession and an artist by nature. She is a pencil and charcoal artist but has recently ventured into painting. She’s taken part in various exhibitions including the 2014 World Cup Art Exhibition at the Village market She treasures her quiet time, enjoys reading, socializing and swimming. She also plays the recorder and loves nature.

1. Did you always know you wanted to be an artist?

No, until I discovered I was one.

2. What is your creative process like?

My creative process starts with deep silence and meditation, which mostly happens at night. I connect with the inner me and my feelings. What am I feeling at that point in time? Then I think of my environment. Whats happening around me? This could be people’s stories, current affairs among others. A combination of the two brings out my creativity.

3. How much do your life experiences influence your work?

Quite a lot. My feelings always take precedence when I am doing an artwork. I have to connect with my artwork.

4. You are a painter and a pencil-charcoal artist. What informed your decision to specialize in this?

When I discovered I could draw, I was using my class pencil so I thought why not perfect my pencil art? Moreover, pencil and charcoal bring out very good details, especially when doing human portraits and in the work of realism.

5. Who are your favourite artists and why?

They happen to have lived in the Renaissance period. Leonardo da Vinci is my Art Lord.  His realism is just wow! Others are Diego Fazio and Kevin Okafor, both of whom are some of the best pencil artistss in the world.

6. What are your thoughts on art in Kenya, what challenges have you faced as an artist and how do you think we can improve on the craft?

Kenyans are steadily embracing local talent and in particular local art. However, the greatest challenge artists face is reaching out to the market especially globally and marketing their artworks. The available galleries are limited whereas the number of upcoming artists is growing. There needs to be an increased number of public galleries to enable exhibitions.

Another thing that can be improved is the sensitization of the importance of intellectual property where the creatives get to know of their rights and ways to protect their works.

7. You had one of your paintings presented to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. How did that happen and has it led to more interest in your work?

It felt like a miracle, like a moment I dared to dream. It was at a time I was doing rigorous postings on social media about my artworks in a bid to market my artwork when I was approached and asked whether it was possible to have a drawing of H.E Paul Kagame done as a gift. Without a doubt, I got down to business and drew it. I didn’t know when it was ever going to get to him until I saw the portrait delivered by Wendy Waeni, a young but talented acrobat, via Facebook. I confess it has led to more interest in my work which has been quite humbling.

8. What work/project are you most proud of?

I am always proud of my artwork. However, my portrait of H.E Paul Kagame which was actually delivered to him remains my winning piece. It has been the climax of my art to date and I was deeply honoured and humbled. That was a dream come true.

9. What advice would you give an aspiring artist that you wish you had gotten when you were starting out?

Art requires patience and consistency. Every piece you draw is better than the former. Don’t be discouraged and/or feel intimidated by the works of other artists or even ridicule from society. What I can say is that no art is bad, it just speaks a different language. Go for it! It is also lucrative. Also, use social media as part of your marketing strategy. It works wonders!

10. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Meet me in the next five years, I will be doing live drawing. Hyperrealism is where I am headed to.

Bonus Question

11. If you could have painted any existing piece by another artist, what would it be and why?

Besides Leonardo Da Vinci’s Monalisa and Last Supper, Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. There is one famous drawing of Salvador Dali called The Persistence Of Memory which relates to the everyday living of how human beings utilize their time vis a vis the results we attain from that utilization.

Check out Fiona’s profile and work below:

Facebook: Fiona Maina

Instagram: @fiona_theartist

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Fiona W. Maina (@fiona_theartist) is a Lawyer by profession and an artist by nature. She is a pencil and charcoal artist but has recently ventured into painting. She's taken part in various exhibitions including the 2014 World Cup Art Exhibition at the Village market She treasures her quiet time,...