[TIC HANGOUT] Meet Talented Ball-Pen Artist, Mamudu Samuel

It is obvious that the genre of hyperrealism and photorealism is increasingly gaining ground among young African artists, as brilliant portraits of talented artists emerge daily. One of such artists is Mamudu Samuel, a self-taught Nigerian artist who draws with a ballpoint pen.

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Meet Mamudu Samuel, the talented Nigerian ball pen artist who can draw everything with virtually a pen. One of his popular artworks includes that of actor Peter Dinklage ‘Tyrion Lannister’ of the Game of Thrones movie series.

A first look at these pictures will make you jump into quick conclusion that they were captured by digital cameras. Well, the eyes, hands and a ball pen have begun to produce portraits that are as good as those produced by regular cameras.

Tell us about yourself

Samuel: My name is Mamudu Samuel a.k.a Samjunyart, a 500level student of architecture and a ballpen photorealistic artist.

Did you go through any form of training or is it a talent you developed overtime?

Samuel: I developed it overtime. Well I have been drawing since I was a kid but I never took it serious. It was like a hobby for me to show off my skills but in 2016, I really worked on my self and put my mind to it. I made my errors and worked on ways to solve them. I saw the rewards of putting my effort into it and I worked more. I drew almost everyday when I was practicing.

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So, Is being an artist and studying architecture coincidental? Or did your passion for drawing influence your decision to study architecture?

Samuel: Good question. It wasn’t coincidental, I have always loved drawing since I was a kid. There was a time we were asked career questions and I replied I wanted to be an artist. But sincerely, I don’t blame Africans for viewing artists as broke people but that trend has changed now. Because of that notion, it was easy coming out to say you were going to study art so I searched for a course that would not take me totally away from my love for drawing and I found architecture. It has been really interesting, you can say my love for art influenced it.

Who has been your biggest inspiration thus far?

Samuel: OK, It’s been the frontiers of ballpen as a tool or medium for art. Mustafa Khoidier, Oscar ukonu and Enam Bosokah have been greatly inspired me. You see, the pen is not a conventional tool for drawing, it’s been pencil ans oil paint but there chose to be unique; I really love that. The ballpen tool is very fascinating, They have stretched their minds to achieve awesome works.
I do same, I like being unique. I like facing and overcoming challenges.

Now I Wish I could draw

Samuel: Funny, You can.
It’s on the list of the 7 things every human can do.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?

Samuel: A footballer, An actor.
A comedian maybe; I can be very funny.
I like people laughing around me.

Wow seriously, that’s interesting

Samuel: Yeah

What is the biggest challenge you face professionally?

Samuel: OK, getting through to gallery owners to promote my work. It’s not easy, you need to meet their demands which sometimes are ambiguous because they’ll give you a certain amount of drawings to produce.
Sales: people that love and appreciate your work might lack the financial backing to purchase them. They keep pricing to the bearest minimum.
Clients also bring low quality images for commissioned works tasking for you the artist to put down the details.

How have you been able to deal with all these challenges?

Samuel: Lol, I like the way you stressed it “all these”
So, in life they are pros and cons for the galleries. I wait patiently for the right ones to come my way.
For the clients, I tell them to look for other pictures and we wait until we get a better one.
For sales; We bargain until we get a considerable amount.

And these solutions have worked for you?

Samuel: Yes they have. Some of them would happen subsequently.

Has what you do affected your life in any way?

Samuel: Yea. My work needs patience I don’t rush art so it has affected me cos am more patient now I can stay through something people consider boring or are anxious about.
I think more creatively now in solving problems.
I have also met more people and formed new connections with wonderful people like you.
I have been invited to add glamour to events cos I do body art too. I have gone for exhibitions and met knew clients.

Can you describe your style of art in 5 words

Samuel: Lol! Hmm assignment.
Photorealism, eyecatchy, thought-provoking, informative, Emotive.

Thought provoking, I like that
What tools do you use in achieving these drawings?

Samuel: Coloured ballpens and Needlepoint paper

So what advice will you give to people who want into this same line of profession as you?

Samuel: You must know what you want if you a student then you must plan your time so as to avoid been overwhelmed .
You must practice everyday be persistent even when people mock you and be patient even when you don’t get the desired outcome reach out to people better than you.

Follow Samuel on IG: @samuel_mamudu