Its Sheer Determination That Fuels Artist Martins Success
Updated on: Jan 21, 2021
Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost must be attained. These are words of Marie Curie who was a French Physicist.
These words can relate well to Martin Ngugi, an artist who paints African contemporary art. Martin was born with symbrachydactyly- a condition of underdevelopment of the hands.
Now at 35, he has surmounted experience of stigmatization at an early age, disdain and prejudice from people he met in the streets. He says that growing up, he experienced a lot of stigmatization which was hard on him as a teenager as his self-esteem was low.
It was really hard. One has many triggers at that age due to how other people treats you, Martin recalls.
That now is behind him as his self-esteem has greatly improved and learnt to accept himself. His determination to succeed has seen him become a renown visual artist working with major authors in the country for books cover illustrations.
He has done posters work for Mt. Kenya Trust, Ol Pejeta and Moran Nanyuki and illustration work for leading publishers in the country such as Oxford University Press, EA Education Publishers and Longhorn Publishers.
To me determination is the key. In my line of work, the option is going forward and do my best in art. This is the only way for me, doing artwork, Martin affirms.
Martin is talented in what he does. From an early age he picked an interest in art. With mentorship, he succeeded but not without some ups and downs. He got encouragement even if his work at the time was not the best. He later enrolled at Buru Buru Institute of Fine Art where he graduated with a diploma in graphic design.
Give him a brush, paint and observe the magic that he creates out of a canvas.
When you ask him what his best artwork has been, the answer is simple, I give my best to every artwork I do, it always has an individual touch that make it so unique and special.
Martin founded PowerDraw Design, a company in 2017 to market his artwork. He intends to improve his earning by selling his artwork.
He says the challenges he has experienced has taught him on how to be patient in this line of work. His view, art is not for fainthearted, you need to be patient until you succeed.
Martin laments that lack of a professional body representing artists in the country is denying them much needed loyalties from their work.
When selling art, one is entitled to five percent of the sale price. Currently many artists are not benefiting from their artwork, Martin adds.
He is of the opinion that efforts need to be made to enlighten the artists of their rights and on how and where to sell their art. This he says will attract many of them in the industry propelling the growth of their businesses. To him, there is still a big opportunity in art industry. It still not thriving in Africa as the rest of world.
But all his hard work was almost undone by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. What kept him afloat was Laikipia Innovation Development Program which he is a member. He was tasked to advocate on COVID-19 mitigation measuring that the county government was undertaking.
He is also a supervisor for youths working under the Kazi Mtaani. These engagements have enabled him to sustain himself during the pandemic.
COVID-19 disrupted my marketing plans; one thing is that art is a luxury. When people have a priority in health, they would rather focus on dealing with that issue than buying art at that time, Martin observes.
He says that the program has also benefited him professionally since he joined.
The LIDP is a good platform where they are nurturing innovation ideas in the county, I have benefited immensely from this program, Martin states.
Through the program, he has been taught on marketing strategies and copyright protection which are essential to the success of his business.
We are being connected with professional accountants, lawyers and relevant bodies that will help us in growing our businesses, he adds.
Martin says that Laikipia is conducive for startup businesses since the county government is in forefront of supporting innovation ideas and SMEs.
He says that there is much innovation in the county hence the need for the county government to establish a business hub. It can act as a place to connect with likeminded people and market ones ideas.
Youths needs a co-working spaces where they can come and brainstorm, they can actualize their ideas and become productive, Martin adds. Martin can be found on social media platforms like, Facebook as artist mchoraji art or phone: 0726032503.
These words can relate well to Martin Ngugi, an artist who paints African contemporary art. Martin was born with symbrachydactyly- a condition of underdevelopment of the hands.
Now at 35, he has surmounted experience of stigmatization at an early age, disdain and prejudice from people he met in the streets. He says that growing up, he experienced a lot of stigmatization which was hard on him as a teenager as his self-esteem was low.
It was really hard. One has many triggers at that age due to how other people treats you, Martin recalls.
That now is behind him as his self-esteem has greatly improved and learnt to accept himself. His determination to succeed has seen him become a renown visual artist working with major authors in the country for books cover illustrations.
He has done posters work for Mt. Kenya Trust, Ol Pejeta and Moran Nanyuki and illustration work for leading publishers in the country such as Oxford University Press, EA Education Publishers and Longhorn Publishers.
To me determination is the key. In my line of work, the option is going forward and do my best in art. This is the only way for me, doing artwork, Martin affirms.
Martin is talented in what he does. From an early age he picked an interest in art. With mentorship, he succeeded but not without some ups and downs. He got encouragement even if his work at the time was not the best. He later enrolled at Buru Buru Institute of Fine Art where he graduated with a diploma in graphic design.
Give him a brush, paint and observe the magic that he creates out of a canvas.
When you ask him what his best artwork has been, the answer is simple, I give my best to every artwork I do, it always has an individual touch that make it so unique and special.
Martin founded PowerDraw Design, a company in 2017 to market his artwork. He intends to improve his earning by selling his artwork.
He says the challenges he has experienced has taught him on how to be patient in this line of work. His view, art is not for fainthearted, you need to be patient until you succeed.
Martin laments that lack of a professional body representing artists in the country is denying them much needed loyalties from their work.
When selling art, one is entitled to five percent of the sale price. Currently many artists are not benefiting from their artwork, Martin adds.
He is of the opinion that efforts need to be made to enlighten the artists of their rights and on how and where to sell their art. This he says will attract many of them in the industry propelling the growth of their businesses. To him, there is still a big opportunity in art industry. It still not thriving in Africa as the rest of world.
But all his hard work was almost undone by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. What kept him afloat was Laikipia Innovation Development Program which he is a member. He was tasked to advocate on COVID-19 mitigation measuring that the county government was undertaking.
He is also a supervisor for youths working under the Kazi Mtaani. These engagements have enabled him to sustain himself during the pandemic.
COVID-19 disrupted my marketing plans; one thing is that art is a luxury. When people have a priority in health, they would rather focus on dealing with that issue than buying art at that time, Martin observes.
He says that the program has also benefited him professionally since he joined.
The LIDP is a good platform where they are nurturing innovation ideas in the county, I have benefited immensely from this program, Martin states.
Through the program, he has been taught on marketing strategies and copyright protection which are essential to the success of his business.
We are being connected with professional accountants, lawyers and relevant bodies that will help us in growing our businesses, he adds.
Martin says that Laikipia is conducive for startup businesses since the county government is in forefront of supporting innovation ideas and SMEs.
He says that there is much innovation in the county hence the need for the county government to establish a business hub. It can act as a place to connect with likeminded people and market ones ideas.
Youths needs a co-working spaces where they can come and brainstorm, they can actualize their ideas and become productive, Martin adds. Martin can be found on social media platforms like, Facebook as artist mchoraji art or phone: 0726032503.
