For the love of paint

Alfred MasundaMany are called but only a few are chosen, so says the Bible. Equally, many can draw but only a few are inspired. According to Henry Ward Beecher, it is true when he says, “Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures”.
In this era many teenagers are more into drawing, taking it as a hobby. Is this inspired by technology which has taken the world by storm?

Or what is it?

Some say that artists are the mystics in society, although in this day and age, many of us are doubters in our mysticism, we attempt to open a door, be it through music, images, poetry, drama, or others, to “the other side” that we all suspect is there but can’t quite find in a scientifically quantifiable manner.

BONA AND SIMBA

BONA AND SIMBA

This week, Cool Lifestyle traced 19-year-old Alfred Masunda who began drawing at a tender age, but what makes this lad unique is the style of transformation from paper to computer.

Truly, Alfred’s story resembles the statement that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

Surprisingly the teenager had the guts to draw newly-weds Bona Mugabe and Simba Chikore and said it could be his dream come true if the painting reaches the couple.

This was his wedding present, he said.

Below are excerpts from the interview of Alfred Masunda (AS) and  Swagga T (ST).

ST: Hey, Alfred how you doing? Describe yourself?
AM: Wasup man. I am just an ordinary lad, very quiet, humble and talented.

ST: Lets talk about your artwork. In-fact what goes on in your mind?
AM: Art is my passion. My type of art can be described as illustration designing. I use both computer and paper work to draw. I can draw anything in three hours . . . Yes sketching is part of the profession but already visualising what I want to draw is the master-key. I use pencils, water colours, acrylic paints, metal, newspapers and art software. I believe an artist is an ordinary person who lives by his wits and guts and relentlessly forges new pathways through the chaos and predictability of everyday existence.

ST: What inspires you?
AM: Sometimes I draw what I see but mostly societal settings inspire me. I draw according to themes. I have drawn portraits of the late Nelson Mandela, President Mugabe, the late Leonard Dembo, Justin Bieber and Kirsty Coventry among others. The best so far this year was the Bona Mugabe and Simba Chikore portrait of their wedding.

ST: Interestingly. Any achievements so far as we have heard you are the most sought after teen at exhibitions?
AM: A lot if I may say. I have been here for long especially contributing for The Sunday Mail since 2007 and won the Best Fictional Writer and was third in the cover to cover competition. I sold one painting earlier this year at the National Art Gallery under the Green Shoots students exhibition for US$150. I have participated at Gallery Delta. Last year I won a certificate of achievement among others.

ST: What is your dream and why?
AM: I want to have my studio. My dream is to have a scholarship where I can pursue my chosen career at ZIVA or other international school of art. I am enrolled at the School of Visual Art and Design under NAGZ.
Given a chance, I would like to showcase my wares at HIFA this year. However, the lack of opportunities and financial constraints to buy equipment is a major setback.

ST: What are your friends and family saying?
AM: My family is very supportive and I respect them so much. Some of my friends still have that belief that art doesn’t pay. They think it’s a job for the uneducated but I am different.

I have five Ordinary Levels passes. By the way I learnt at Herentials Highfield and Glen Norah High 1.

ST: Any last words to our cool readers?
AM: The sky is the limit. Art should be taken seriously as it can sustain livelihoods. Who knew my art will compete among the best at the recent held NAGZ exhibition and someone bought it. Put God first in everything you do.

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