Biography

Hi, my name is Nkolika Anyabolu and I was born in Kitwe, Zambia. I studied medicine at the University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) Nigeria. I guess I can say painting has always been part of me (hidden somewhere!). I started painting when I was around 3 years of age and have always had a flare for the fine arts. My mum tells me as a child, I was always drawing and I always scribbled anytime I got hold of a pencil. If I remember well she once said I used to sleep with a pencil and a piece of paper.

This innate talent kept burning like a hot flame and I ended up being the only female in my fine art class in 1995 while in high school. Being the only female only propelled me to work harder than my male counterparts in developing my skills; thus from an early stage in life I learnt to face challenges head on. This in a way was good, because as woman challenges are a constant part of our lives.

Medical School was fun. I was determined not to get sucked in into the stressful medical curriculum. I was able to pursue my love for art by taking commissions for banners, portraits, flyers and brochures. I went into making unique hand painted cards in 2004 under the name “do you know creations” which were and are still being sold extensively. I was voted the most versatile female upon graduation by my fellow classmates. All in all, I would be the first to admit that though medical school was challenging; what was more challenging was combining medicine and art.

Personality traits:

What can I say? I am simple yet complex. Just like life in general, my complexity exists because I am a very simple person. I believe in aiming high and pursuing my dreams, no matter how daunting it could be.  Often going through very frustrating times on my canvas I never lower my standards which are and have always been to bring out the beauty of life through my art and paintings. I believe in striving for perfection and in giving my best in all I do. 

Why I make art:

I make art because I love art and have an innate deep seated passion for the fine arts. It gives me utmost joy producing paintings and I try to convey the peace I feel when I paint unto my works. It is amazing what colours can do to our nerves. It is even more amazing how colours can be used to convey messages and create a depth that uplifts the soul.

My Inspiration:

My inspiration comes from the beauty I see all around me...in nature, happiness, sadness, pain and in my pure love for God. Like most artists, I love nature and enjoy the company of animals. Nature is God’s creation and I feel uplifted anytime I take time to observe nature.

How I use art to express myself:

What I use:

I paint mainly with oil and acrylic paints for a variety of reasons. Oil paint affords me the dexterity and versatility that can only be found in a truly free soul. Acrylic paint affords me the speed required to capture fleeting inspirations. I also love drawing with pencil. I find drawing with charcoal pencils quite interesting. 

Hobbies:

Aside from painting I love sports and enjoy playing volleyball, squash and chess. Art is never complete without music and every artist enjoys some sort of music from time to time. I personally love painting with music and just generally love music though I listen to mostly classical and rock.