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Mutsawashe Mashandure Youth Interactive Correspondent 

If given the chance and the proper backing, 23-year-old, Chitungwiza young man Tinashe Muchemwa has said that he can open a studio, earn a living, and change the face of the visual arts sector.

Muchemwa who completed his elementary education at Murewa Central Primary School and Chindunduma High School, is currently enrolled in mining engineering courses at the Zimbabwe School of Mines.

When he was five years old, he first expressed an interest in drawing. He would doodle on any available paper, the pre-cast wall, and the walls.

One can imagine walls covered with scrawled artwork everywhere. Young children can write anything they want everywhere they see a spot they can get to. 

Muchemwa revealed in an interview with the Youth Interactive Section that he is proficient with a pencil. 

The most intriguing aspect is that he taught himself to draw, and some of the world’s most famous artists serve as his inspiration.

“I have started to take my passion for art more seriously, practice more, and have been greatly inspired by international artists like Mayor and Laveso,” he said. 

 “The majority of my time was spent sketching; typically, my works demonstrate my passion for drawing. 

“Afterward, in high school, my technical graphics instructor helped me to improve my drawing.

 “The majority of my time was spent sketching; typically, my works demonstrate my passion for drawing.”

 He developed his technical art abilities and began producing several images. 

“I began to investigate the art sector further in 2018 at that point.” I realised that was my true talent,” he said.

“I met two men named Talent and Brendan, who helped me and inspired me. They also excel as artists.”

Muchemwa claimed that creating art is a sort of healing, and most of his portraits centre on accurately recreating images.

“I’m a little fixated on creating lifelike artwork; I try to capture the spirit in pencil and paper by perfectly portraying every detail.

“Because that’s what I love the most, I decided to specialise in photo-realistic monochromatic charcoal artwork. I discovered that a pencil allows for finer control than other mediums,” said Muchemwa.

“I need to support myself, I occasionally create paintings for the celebs in exchange for gestures of gratitude.

“Since I adore painting, I frequently create portraits without considering whether or not they will be appreciated, yet some people will not.”

 However, as a fan of Killer T’s music, he always sketches him, 

“This year, Killer T performs the song Shaina, I created his images as a means to appreciate his music.”

He said can draw for seven to nine hours per day and a portrait takes five days to create.

“It all depends on the subject I’m sketching and the size of the piece. It seems like a lot of hours, but since I enjoy doing it, I never feel it.

“If you love something, you have to find a way to make time for it, said. “It’s quite a challenge to have time to myself to recover and recharge, so whenever I’m not busy with school slog, I work on my artwork orders,” Muchemwa added. 

“I encourage aspiring artists to never give up and to pursue their passions.”

“I believe that the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts, and Culture ought to assist a lot more artists.

“ The private sector also has a role to play. 

 “I urge businesses to acquire local artwork for their interior hallways and offices. “A place like this would be incredible to have.”

Muchemwa said his family and friends are very supportive.

“Right now, Jamal No Limits, and my parents are the ones helping me go where I need to go.”

He feels the visual arts is not considered important in Zimbabwe and marketing is simply poor.

“I wish promoters that support us in the music industry to support us as artists, “he added.