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Showing posts from September, 2025

The Tale of the Crowned Tortoise

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Long ago, the animals gathered to choose a king.  The lion roared, shaking the forest. The elephant stamped, shaking the ground. The leopard leapt with pride, and the monkey chattered without end.  Each boasted of their strength, their speed, or their cunning. Then, from the edge of the gathering, came the tortoise, small, cracked-shelled, and slow. The animals laughed. “How can one so weak rule over us?” they mocked. But the elders remembered. The tortoise had survived floods, fires, and famine. When the mighty quarreled, the tortoise endured.  When the swift stumbled, the tortoise still reached his journey’s end. His strength was not in muscle, but in patience, wisdom, and the courage to carry life upon his back. And so, in a gesture of humility, the elephant bent low and lifted the tortoise high upon his back. A golden crown was placed upon him, and the small, quiet tortoise became king. From that day onward, the animals bowed not to the roar of th...

The Lantern Maker and the River

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There was once a small village split by a wide, slow river. On one bank lived a lantern maker named Nuru. People came from miles around for her lamps, not because they were the brightest, but because they lasted: soft, steady light that let you see what mattered without blinding you to the dark. Across the river lived Kofi, a fisherman who loved to chase the flash of the catch. He measured success in weight: the heavier the basket, the prouder he felt. Every morning Kofi would row farther and return later, bringing boats that groaned with fish and a grin that caught the eyes of everyone at the market. One autumn, the rains fell hard. The river rose, and with it a rumour: a new current now cut through the old channel. The bridge that linked the two banks was damaged. The ferryman who crossed each day fell ill. For the first time in memory, villagers could not trade freely. Kofi’s nets rotted on the shore; Nuru’s shop had dwindling customers. Rather than wait, Nuru began l...

Emergent Harmony: Earthreal Tone

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"Emergent Harmony: Earthreal Tone" speaks to the quiet resilience hidden within the layers of life. At first glance, the composition may appear chaotic, brushstrokes colliding, tones shifting between shadow and light, but beneath it all lies a rhythm, a balance patiently revealing itself. The earthy tones remind us that even in the turbulence of uncertainty, the grounding force of nature calls us back to stability. The soft blushes of warmth interwoven with darker contrasts reflect the duality of existence: moments of struggle and moments of peace, both necessary to shape wholeness. Just as harmony emerges from dissonance in music, so too does life weave strength out of its contradictions. Every mark in this canvas is a reminder that our journeys in life are not defined by perfection, but by persistence, the courage to keep layering, reshaping, and evolving until the picture of our true self takes form. This work is a meditation on becoming, on trusting that ou...

He Restores My Soul

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Painting this piece was one of my rarest and deepest moments of reflective joy. As I worked, it felt as though I was being carried back in time, reliving the innocence and wonder of my childhood. The inspiration came from Psalm 23:2–3: “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” In every brushstroke, I felt the calm of still waters and the embrace of green pastures, a clear reminder that the Shepherd of our souls is always near, guiding, refreshing, and restoring us. This artwork is not just a painting; it is a testimony of God’s abiding presence, a call to rest in His care, and a reflection of the peace that only He can give.

Golden Breakthrough

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This painting captures the dramatic tension between stormy clouds and a radiant burst of golden light piercing through. The interplay of dark, earthy tones and luminous yellows suggests resilience, hope, and the beauty of emergence after turbulence. The reflection on the water below anchors the scene, reminding us that light always finds a way to reveal itself, even in the darkest landscapes.

Wings of Divine Strength

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The eagle, soaring gracefully across the open sky, embodies the eternal promise of renewal and hope. Its powerful wings reflect the strength that comes not from self alone, but from a higher source. Just as scripture reminds us, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.” This image becomes a symbol of faith, perseverance, and the quiet assurance that God uplifts those who trust in Him, carrying them above life’s storms into realms of peace and vision.

Be Like Socrates

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One day Socrates was confronted by a rude, uncivilized man who insulted him and even tried to strike him with his words. Sadly, people like that still exist today — when they can’t explain their ideas clearly, they lash out with aggression. But how did Socrates respond? He didn’t. He didn’t yell back, didn’t fight, didn’t stoop to the man’s level. One of his students later asked him about his reaction, and the great philosopher said: “If a donkey had kicked me, would I have taken it to court?” That’s the lesson of Socrates: a wise person never lowers themselves to the level of a fool. Sometimes silence is the most powerful and elegant answer. And that’s no accident. The word elegance comes from the Latin root meaning light. True elegance isn’t about wearing designer clothes or owning expensive things. It’s about knowing how to carry yourself, when to speak, and when to stay quiet. ✨ Be like Socrates. Copied 

My First London Nights

The queue at the Immigration desk was long and moved slowly. When it was my turn, I walked briskly to the next available desk and handed over my international passport and ticket. It was a return ticket to Nigeria. The officer flipped through the pages and asked me what I had come to do in Britain. I explained that I had come to study. He asked which course and college, and I provided him with the details. He then wanted to know how much money I had with me. I told him that I only had 47p. I explained that my accommodation and living expenses had already been sent to my college. Since it was Sunday, he asked where I would stay until Monday, when the college would be open. I told him that I would be staying with Dr. Lewu. The Immigration Officer then led me to a side desk where he began asking me further questions. He asked for details about Dr. Lewu. I gave him his address and telephone number. He went away for a couple of minutes and then returned. He explained that he had telephoned...

The Measure of Wisdom

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This painting draws inspiration from the Yoruba proverb, “Ọlọgbọn d’ori ẹja mu, aigbọn di idi rẹ mu.” Literally translated, it means: “The wise person holds the head of the fish, while the fool holds the tail or fins.” What lessons can we learn from this timeless proverb in navigating life’s challenges and choices? 

Between the Wild and the City

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This work, painted on a 40" x 60" acrylic canvas, is a reflection on the dialogue between tradition, nature, and modernity under the eternal glow of the sky. The silhouetted figures, animals, and landscapes speak to ancestral memory and the enduring strength of the natural world, while the rising skyline in the foreground represents the unrelenting advance of urban life. The central monkey suspended between two palm trees symbolises the natural habitat caught between the wild and the civilised, the past and the present, the seen and the unseen. The vibrant gradient of sunset colours embodies transition: the movement of time, the passage of life, and the fragile beauty of balance. Birds in flight, lions on guard, grazing animals, and the whale’s tail all remind us of the interconnectedness of creation, where every element, whether ancient or modern, shares the same horizon. This painting seeks to evoke both nostalgia and contemplation, inviting the viewer to paus...