Saraya Yaduma is a creative artist who has carved a niche for herself in painting characters and images that are easily relatable to her audience. In this interview with Daily Trust on Sunday, she discusses her art style and journey as an artist.
What inspired you to become a painter, and how did your artistic journey begin?
I have a very vivid imagination, I often see things in pictures. In as much as I never really used to paint or draw much when I was younger, I remember never finding it difficult when I had to. I also used to write stories as a kid, I still do, but then, I used to add drawings to my story, sort of like comics. Now, most times when I feel a certain way and don’t know how to express myself, I would often see a picture in my mind that depicts how I am feeling so I wanted to try out expressing this artistically and I also thought painting would be therapeutic, I was not wrong. I felt God was telling me to try painting as a new hobby, so I picked up a paint brush and started my painting journey.
How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved over time?
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I would say my art is a mix of pop art and contemporary art. I started making art by sketching some of my favourite celebrities, but when I picked up a paint brush, I knew I wanted to play with colours, so I immediately started painting some cartoons I grew up watching. I gradually started experimenting with ideas in my head and playing with patterns and other vivid pictures I would see in my mind. I am still on a journey of discovering my art style and I am certainly still evolving, but I know that I love definition in my art and I intend on staying true to that.
Can you share a specific piece of artwork that holds significant meaning to you, and tell us the story behind it?
I once did a painting of an album cover for an album that I liked. I didn’t plan to do a painting of it, I was having creative block and I just generally wasn’t feeling a hundred percent. So, I went back and listened to the album alongside other albums from the particular artist, and I just listened to music generally to help my mood, like really listened to music. I did that for some days and that’s when it came to me, I knew I really wanted to do an artwork that conveyed how I was feeling in the moment, and I knew immediately I wanted to make art relating to the album. So, I did, and I made sure the colours were as bright as possible. I was a bit scared because I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out, but I did, and that was the painting I enjoyed making the most. I was in such a great mood from the beginning to the end of making the painting, and when I was done, I felt so proud of myself. I eventually sold it to someone who I knew appreciated the artist as much as I did. I was so happy about that particular artwork, and it was a defining moment for me because I knew from then on, I had figured out the ideal headspace I needed to be in to make great art.
How do you approach the creative process? Do you plan your paintings meticulously or allow spontaneity to guide you?
I prefer to plan my paintings before I start. Often times, the image comes to me first, and once I see it clearly in my mind, I get so excited to paint it and bring what is in my head to reality. I tend to feel more confident in my paintings once I have a clear picture of what I am painting in my mind. There are times where I figure it out as go, but I find it not to be as fun, though fulfilling at the end.
Are there any recurring themes or subjects that you often explore in your artwork, and what draws you to them?
I love to paint characters or just defined objects. I also love colours and patterns, so I am most drawn to themes around humans and the environment.
Do you have a favourite medium to work with, or do you enjoy experimenting with various materials?
I typically enjoy painting with acrylic on canvas. I haven’t explored other mediums yet but I would love to and I know I would eventually. I have been curious about oil painting so maybe that is what I would try next.
In the fast-paced digital age, where everything is instant, how do you maintain a connection to traditional art forms like painting?
I have never really tried any form of digital art and though I find it interesting, it’s not really my preferred art form. I spend way too much time on screens interacting with the digital world, so I use painting as some form of escapism, away from all of that. I like to hold my paint brush and feel the strokes on the canvas. That would always be my favourite form of making art.
Can you describe a particularly challenging project or painting that you worked on, how you overcame obstacles during the process?
I was commissioned to do a painting of a famous character but I had no personal attachment to the character so I found it a bit challenging to try and connect to the painting. I spent a lot of time brainstorming to figure out the best way to convey the emotions the commissioner wanted to see in the painting. It was a bit different from what I was used to so I was definitely learning on the go. It took a while to complete the painting because I was uncertain for most of the time of my painting it. But that was the beauty for me, I love to learn so it was very interesting for me to be aware that I was learning new techniques while painting it. I overcame my fear or uncertainties about the painting by just allowing myself to be in the moment and giving myself grace to just learn in the process.
As an artist, how do you deal with criticism or negative feedback about your work?
I always like to keep in mind who I am making art for, and why I started making art in the first place. It always helps to look at the bigger picture. I actually have not gotten any negative feedback so far, but I know that sometimes these things are inevitable. So, if I ever get negative feedback, I would ask myself, who is giving the feedback? And do they matter enough for me to take their opinions into consideration? And then just remind myself why I started making art in the first place. I am still learning and would definitely appreciate constructive criticism and use it as a learning curve. I wouldn’t be happy if a client of mine doesn’t like my work but my goal will always remain to stay true to myself while delivering good work that my client would be pleased with.
Have you ever experienced a creative block, and if so, how do you navigate through it?
Yes, I experience creative blocks often. I am very captivated by the entire human experience, it fascinates me, so when I don’t know what to paint, I don’t beat myself up, I just try my best to connect to the things around me and be present. I read a lot of books, watch a lot of movies and listen to a lot of music. I find that all of those mediums help me connect and they spark my creativity.
How do you balance the need for artistic expression with the desire to appeal to your audience?
What is most important to me is making art that is true to me first. Yes, I want my art to be well received but not everyone can be the target audience for my art. So, when I am making art, I think first about how it makes me feel and what I am trying to convey, and then how I can relate it to my audience.
Do you have any pre-painting rituals or habits that help you get into the right mindset for creating art?
I typically listen to a lot of music. I find music to be very spiritual and moving. So, I like to connect by listening to music that moves me, it helps me to get inspired. I also sometimes consume a lot of art content and get inspired by other artists who I feel are doing amazing and are creating the kind of art I like to make. Lastly, I love to paint alone, I love my personal space so I usually don’t really enjoy company when I am painting, all I need is my headphones, good music and I am good to go.
Some artists are interested in addressing social or political issues through their art. Is there a particular cause or message you aim to convey with your work?
I am very passionate about issues that affect women. So, I enjoy painting women a lot and would definitely love to explore that more in the future; how I can use my art to depict messages that uplift women.
Many artists face challenges in finding their unique artistic voice. How did you develop your distinct style, and what advice would you give aspiring painters seeking to find their creative identity?
This is something I still haven’t fully figured out yet. When I started painting, I immediately became obsessed with finding my style because I was comparing myself to other artists who have obviously been doing this longer than me and seemed to have theirs figured out. I started painting cartoons because I thought they were fun, I still do, but I particularly love colour and shapes so that is what informs my style. I love definition in my art, I find it very intriguing. I think I am still developing my style, but I am certainly enjoying the journey, I don’t feel pressured to have it figured out. Human beings are dynamic so I am excited to see how my art style will evolve but I am enjoying every bit of the process. Some commissions I get challenge me sometime and I will always use that as an opportunity to tap into different layers of my creativity. I still consider myself an aspiring painter, so to my fellow aspiring painters, I’d say don’t rush it; the process is the most fun part, keep creating the art that you want to create and the art that moves you. In doing this, you will develop your style without even noticing it.
