I pray before drawing

 Chorwa arts is a marketing platform for  African artists. It aims to promote our artists to international markets and recently I got a chance to have a one on one with Ian Muindi, one of the artists listed there and one of the best portrait artists i have ever met.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Kenya; Isiolo and raised in Thika.

Tell us about what you do: your business model and the art mediums you use.
I basically offer my artistic services(portraits),varying from people's individual commissions to company projects.My services are run mainly through online social platforms where I find majority of my clients.Referrals from others also play a large part in creating my customer base.Most of my work is done  in graphite and charcoal. I am however not limited to the two.

When did you start doing art?
Practically, I'd say it's when I started learning how to read and write... that is at least the earliest memory I have of myself  doing something artistic.Going with a number, around 5 years old .From there it has been learning and learning everyday up to to where I thankfully am today.

What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have?
I normally pray  before starting any artwork.I prefer working on artworks early in the morning or late in the night;fewer distractions and better concentration  during those times .Though that is not my only preference. I find myself listening to music all through the entire creative process.Music is important to me.

Do you do paintings?
That's what am currently trying to familiarize myself with .I'm hoping to get better with time .

Which other art types would you like to pursue but haven't?
uuuuhm!I honestly don't know... I've tried my hand in quite a number.I'll find out.I guess
maybe I can come up with something out-of-the-box myself, who knows?

How do you deal with "artist blocks"?
I go out and play football;to jog up the brain and body. For me it has helped many times. I can also just lay back and enjoy music.

What do you think about the Chorwa Arts platform?
I believe it is an innovative startup with a good vision of the future of  arts here in Kenya and beyond. I am hopeful that it will grow bigger and bigger with time.

Which would you say has been your most favorite piece you have done so far?
I have several; it is hard to point a finger on just one. Here are some:

Who do you look up to in the art scene?
A number of people;Bujusanii, Andrew Kamiti, Elias Mung'ora, Bankslave...

Lastly, what advice would you give upcoming artists?⁠⁠⁠⁠
Whatever the branch of art you are in, do it because you love it... then thank the one who gives you the life to do it,everyday.


Here are some of his artworks. Check out Chorwa Art Page for more. If you have any inquiry or comment,leave it on the comment section below.

I sold my first painting to a teacher for Ksh. 2000

Cyprian kiswili a. K.a The kharsh Art is an illustrator, designer, contemporary painter and  a portrait artist. He also does a special kind of art called Mathogothanio art which involves scribbling. He has a huge social media following and I talked to him about his life and art
. 

What are your full names?

Cyprian Kiswili.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Machakos, but grew up in Gachie and Ruaka.

So when did you start doing art?
I started drawing aged only 5 when i got my first pencils, i would scribble stuff everywhere.

When did it start getting serious?
I got serious with my art back in high school. This is when i sold my ever first art piece. This hugely I motivated me and from then, i started creating constantly.

For how much did you sell it for?
It was a canvas painting. I sold it to a teacher at kshs 2,000. Haha..

Do you do art full time or do you have another occupation?
I am a student. So besides studies, art is all I do.

What do you major in and in what institution?

I am taking BA Design at The University of Nairobi. Currently a third year student.

Which are your mediums or art categories?
I am am an illustrator, designer, contemporary painter and portrait artist. My favorite media is acrylic paints so i guess that shifts my priority to painting. I also enjoy working with graphite and charcoal i.e in creating portraits.

Which art medium would you like to pursue but haven't?
Oils.  I admire works from local oil-base artists. Graffiti cans too is another. I'm hoping to try it out this year.

What message do you try to communicate in your paintings?
Every piece of my work comes with its soul. Most of my works however, speak on culture-appreciation, peace  and originality.

What challenges do you face as an artist?
As a young artist, growing your brand and creation of an own style takes some time and it isn't easy. The other challenge I'd point out is few art platforms. I believe this can be improved if the local population appreciate art more.

What's your view on the  Chorwa platform?
I think it is an excellent idea by such a selfless individual. In the current world, you dont oftenly expect people to be this supportive and expect nothing in return. We can only wish nothing but blessings to all involved in its running. Continue supporting the local art scene Steve and your co.

Who do you look upto in the art scene?
Internationally, Austrian painter Voka while locally I am inspired by painter Yegon and artist Elsardt Kigen.

What advice would you give any upcoming artist?
Simple; Keep practising and always strive for originality. Never forget to always talk to God on this gift he has given you. 

Okay, finally, which would you say was your best art piece and why?

Thats a hard choice. But i'll settle on my painting titled 'market day' it was an experiment of an original style and i was shocked by the tremendous love it got from people. It sold barely two weeks old in an exhibition at The Nairobi Museum.

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Cyprian is featured on Chorwa Arts. 

Chorwa Arts is a marketing platform for artists and art lovers. We are a talented team of artists dealing with various art mediums ranging from animation, paintings, pencil arts, biro arts etc.  Find us on Facebook :Chorwa Art Page, Instagram :@chorwa_art or www.chorwa.co.ke. 

Church tings

 It's 10. 30am  and I swiftly tip toe into the  church. Then all eyes switch to me. I suddenly feel threatened and unwelcome. Almost all seats are taken. I do a quick analysis. There are two main columns. One is full of women and children and the other few a men and youth. The last seats are full of ruddy youth and I feel odd seating next to them. I walk boldly oblivious of the noise my sharp-shooters are making. Now everybody is looking at me. I sit next to an old woman and everybody goes back to listening. No sooner do I sit down than the speaker signals that we all stand up. It's praise and worship time.I don't know any of the songs and I am trying hard to keep up with the dancing rhythm. The old woman next to me keeps confusing my rhythm. She keeps stepping on my shoe. However I am catching up and as soon hear "mambo sawasawa". I love this song. I am now singing joyfully but then the song is cut and we all sit down. Someone is talking up there but I can't get my eyes off the ceiling. There is a small bird that keeps flying above us. I think it's looking for a way out. I follow it with my eyes and desperately hope it sees the exit. After about 20 minutes it finally flies out. Now I promised myself to be attentive during the preaching. I pull up in my seat and attentively listen until someone catches my eye. There is this girl in the front seats who keeps looking in my direction. Everytime she looks back, our eyes meet then she looks forward again. I will not look at her this time but she looks again and our eyes lock. She suddenly jolts up and starts walking out. She is the lightskin type and I follow her back with my eyes to my satisfaction.Then a phone rings. I mean, seriously? Who doesn't put their phone in silent mode during church? Everybody is looking for the culprit but they soon face my direction. I look oblivious till I realize it's mine. I quickly take it out of my pocket and try to end the call. My fingers are moving as fast as they can but it's still ringing. I finally switch it off but the stares I get make me feel like crawling under my seat. It's preaching time. I quickly go to my phone's Bible app and read through. Then I notice a Twitter notification. "#kenyavsnigeria" is trending. The pictures there are hysterical . I go through them with quiet chuckles and sighs. Then I move to Facebook and enter a few pages before I suddenly hear "the grace of our Lord..", the program has come to an end and everyone is going out. I switch off my phone and walk out.

A prayer of truth

A prayer of truth (PART 1) 

Every once in a while we find ourselves in predicaments  we had once sworn never to go back to. We knelt, lifted our hands and vowed to God to have stopped  that sin. We felt liberated and confident. We had "repented". For a while we testify freedom and preach it but then something happens, we do it again. Guilt strikes it's powerful blow and we run back to God. 

We kneel again and condemn the devil. We pray with deep conviction and declare redemption. We have "repented",  again. This cycle continues for most of our Christian lives. These happens as a result of many wrong turns:for example quenching the Holy Spirit (1 thesalonians 5:15 a lesson for another day).  However most of us were never liberated from the sin in the first place(another lesson for another day). 

What I want to talk about today is a prayer of truth. A prayer of confession that pours all our afflictions to God. A close look into the book of psalms puts it all into light. In Psalms 6:2, David says "Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I [am] weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed."  David admitted to God he was weak. He prayed in truth. 

A prayer of truth confesses to God all our struggles. See that the moment we vow to never sin again, we are relying on own strength. We take God out of the equation yet we know without Him we can do nothing (Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.) 

We need to cast all of our weaknesses,struggles and slaveries to sin to God:asking for His strength to defeat them. Basically, we need to speak the truth. It is my prayer God will guide you more on this matter.