So I saw an old notebook of mine and decided to be imaginative. I cut out the letters on the back cover and viola. Art is all about creating new things. Expressing yourself. Seeing what others term as trash but what you see is only the possibility of what it can be... That is how we should all see everyone especially ourselves.. Don't think yourself as not being able to achieve anything because you are more than a conqueror... The only person that can pick you up from that trash, others and maybe you see yourself, is YOU.

Everything has an history.

A past that has helped to mold it to what it is now. A past that encourages us to know more and to do more. So is it with art. From Europe to Asia to America to Africa to Australia.

From Stone Age(cave paintings, fertility goddesses and megalithic structures) to Metal Age to Mesopotamian Art(warrior art and narration in stone relief) to Egyptian Art(pyramids and tomb painting) to Greek Art(Greek idealism) to Roman Art(Roman realism).

From Medieval Art(Early Christian art, Byzantine art, Anglo-Saxon art, Viking art, Ottonian art, Romanesque art, Gothic art and Islamic art) to Renaissance Art(rebirth of classical culture) to Baroque Art(art as a weapon in religious wars) to Neoclassicalism(art that recaptures Greco-Roman grace and grandeur) to Romantic Art(the triumph of imagination and individuality) to Academic Art to Realism(celebrating working class and peasants) to Impressionism(capturing fleeting effects of natural light) to Post-Impressionism(a soft revolt against Impressionism) to Fauvism and Expressionism(harsh colors and flat surfaces, emotion distorting form) to Cubism to Dadaism to Surrealism and then, Contemporary Art.

The use of stone, wood, bone, clay, Amber, copper, bronze, iron, brick, lintel, arc, concrete, gold, tree barks and many others. Art seemed to have explored every continent, technique and material you could ever imagine. It will, however, surprise you to know that people are still inventing newer ways to express themselves.

From the use of acrylic to charcoal to food and everyday items. This only proves the uniqueness of art and how art represents different things in our lives. So whether in its history, present or future, one thing stands unchanged. That although art, as defined in the dictionary, is expressing and applying creative skill and imagination appreciated for its beauty or emotional power. It is mainly what it means to you.

So tell me, what does art mean to you?

Be free
With your words
With your ideas
With your actions
Be considerate
Think about yourself
Think about others
Embrace the world
Be yourself
That is your identity
That is your depth
YOU is free
This art piece is all about freedom; embracing who you are and not being restricted.

You know... Abstracts can be refreshing. A great way to get back on track when having artist's block.

This piece is titled 'DECIDE'.

You can decide to see the use of a lot of black or the tiny bits of colour. You can decide to let a situation bring you down or use that situation to motivate yourself. So you decide: A moment where you see only the 'black' or one where you see the 'tiny bits of colour'.

Childhood...
Ohh. The fun. The memories. Those moments when you played wholeheartedly not caring what anyone was going to say. That is the problem with adults. We care too much. There is nothing wrong with caring but it passes the limit when you start to care about irrelevant things. Care about what people will think. Care about what people will say. Care about how people will react. Even to our detriments. Be like children and care about what really matters. Care about God. Care about yourself. Care about your family. Care about your friends.

Where do I start? In the beginning of this journey, I wrote on the history of art which is very significant. However, the most significant to me is the history of my art. Well, my love for art started through determination to achieve a set goal. I always admired the way my art teacher drew an image on the black board and it was so perfect. So, in a certain class, I studied him attentively- how he drew the lines and it all came together. It was breathtaking. So, in the faintest lines, I drew an ostrich. I scored a 7. It was not a 10 but to me, it was better than a ten. Each of my drawings hold a part of me- my love, happiness, awe, sorrow, fear, anger- whether I realise it or not.

So I drew this for a competition. It was inspired by this awesome graffiti I saw in a movie(There are so many talented people in this world). Anyway to the main topic, COMPETITION.
According to research, competition provides motivation to achieve a goal; to demonstrate determination, creativity and perseverance to overcome challenges; and to understand that hard work and commitment leads to a greater chance of success. However, we should know that some things require togetherness not competitiveness and also,competitiveness is not an excuse to be cruel.

Art is so much fun which is why it can also serve as great therapy. It gives you an avenue to express yourself freely and fully. You can draw, write a poem, read, sing and so on. Use your talent as a way to embrace the pain and get past it. Only when you acknowledge it can you overcome it.
POEM
You can cry till you stop
And not say a word
Wrapped in caring arms
All you need is warmth
Don't hide the tears
Don't conceal the fears
Just trust in the one who's always there.

So I remember telling you guys about the elements of art. I started with lines. The next on my list are colours. Red. Blue. Orange. Purple. Black. White. You name it. According to research, color is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye.
There is this quote I recently saw.
"The most colorful thing in the world is black and white, it contains all colors and at the same time excludes all", Vikrmn.
I don't really know why exactly but I really love this quote. It just sums up everything. Let me know what you guys think.

To all ladies out there, in this new year, know that you are special. You are beautiful. You are talented. Own your inner and outer beauty. Noone can weigh you down without your consent. There will be insults and difficult circumstances but you got past 2016 and you can do the same in 2017. Just by using the approach of confidence in God and yourself. People that downgrade others are not confident or cool. They do that because they see you as a threat. So my beautiful ladies, show confident love. Mwaah

Most times, it amazes me how there are different kinds of so many things. Different kinds of trees. Different kinds of colours. Different kinds of people. Different kinds of soil. Different kinds of light. An endless list of difference and yet, unity. Is that a paradox? Now, however, I will be talking about fruits. Yummy. Bananas. Pineapples. Oranges. Watermelons. Apples. Grapes. Agbalumo. Pawpaw. Now, I am just getting hungry. Of all these, there is surely one you love the most and one you aren't too hyper about. I love apples a lot. I am not hyper about oranges. What of you?

This art piece illustrates times your mind is filled with so many thoughts. Thoughts about what you have done but not done well or what you haven't. Thoughts of how you could have done this better or of how you shouldn't have done that. Thoughts about your past, about now and about your future. Thoughts leading to fear, tiredness, frustration, jamming emotions. Thoughts that might leave you angry, in tears or wanting to be alone. People will say think positively first. But I think they don't use the right words. Think positively is right but has been heard so many times that its message is ignored. Change your mindset is more of it. But the first thing you need to do before this, eat, take a bath and sleep.
Love,
Ruth.

So I am experimenting with scribble art. Scribble drawing is a tried and true art therapy exercise that works well as a visual starter or warm up for spontaneous drawing or painting. Scribble drawing was developed by art educator Florence Cane. To make it clearer, you know the result of giving a two year old a pencil and paper. Scribbles. A very deep way of expression indeed. Pure and genuine. To me, it is steering your lines in whatever direction you please with the aim of creating a spectacular piece.

Photography. Drawing. There have been arguments on which is harder or which is better. I say they are both an art. Photography literally means “drawing with light”. So here are some comments from the internet that I agree with.

1. I think that a camera is just another tool for expression just like a brush or a pencil.
2. Photography takes work, practice, and dedication just like drawing and painting do.
3. For a piece of work from both forms to be really fantastic, you have to have strong elements of composition and rhythm. Both also benefit from communicating through values and color.

Most of you guys must have watched the famous 'jenifa’s diary'. There is one comment Jenifa made that caught my attention. She said,"the sky is big enough for every bird to fly, but if you try to make me fall, I will break your wing". That is like one of the most blunt quotes I have ever heard. There are people that are more concerned with damaging someone else's reputation than building theirs. Don't be one of them. Know and develop yourself. Be a good brand. Encourage yourself and others. Be honest but kind. Your fall is proof that you stood up. Don't blame others for it. Arise and shine NEVER condemn and spite.

I used the computer application, paint to do this piece. dancing I t was featured in Unilag Sun. Anyway, doing this work made me to appreciate digital artist. Digital artist requires so much patience. It is so hard. It is time for people to stop the mentality of digital art being nothing. Because it is more than something. It is a talent. I spent so much time on this, and I began to wonder how long they spend on more complex drawings or paintings. Respect to all digital artists.

So I drew this a very long time ago. It is amazing to know that more than two years has passed. Time is so fast. So I tell do what you want to do now. Don't procrastinate. Act now. Stand now. Walk now. Run now. Jump now. Write now. Read now. Draw now. Now is the moment of doing. Tomorrow is the moment of reaping.

What is your talent to you? My art is my identity. It is who I am, what I think, everything.
How do you hope to impact people with your talent? Leonardo Davinci was known for his art style, techique and uniqueness. I want to known majorly for the depth my art expresses.
Short term goals? For my art pieces to be part of an art exhibition with other unique artists.
Long term goals? Watch out and you will see
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED.....