Sarah Sanni is an inspiring young woman, a computer science graduate who quitted her job to chase her dreams.
“I wasn’t happy at my job, so I resigned thinking I needed a change of organization but in the process of applying to other companies and going for interviews- one day, I painted my room and my friend saw it and wanted something for her room. After designing hers, she posted it online and a couple of her friends saw it and requested wall paintings too. I did it and got paid even though it was peanut at the time but I felt overwhelming happiness and that was when I knew that this was what I wanted to do.”
She was born in the northern part of the country, grew partly in Ibadan before moving to Lagos much later. Her family are currently in support of her career,
“My mom was in total support from day one. My dad got into it after one or two of his friends called him from abroad that they’ve seen his daughter’s works at one place or the other. Some other family members did not think it was a viable business but everyone just went along with the dream and now it’s all full time support from everyone”
Her inspiration came from the northern tattoo used to adorn brides called Laali. While growing up as a child, she admired these designs and draw them on paper.. The Laali is a temporary henna tattoo used to adorn brides in the Northern part of Nigeria, particularly popular in the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups across West Africa.
She went on from Laali sketching to drawing cartoon characters, making comic books ancient artworks from the Old Bini Kingdom, as her appetite for drawing and art
To upgrade her skills, she got some books on arts. Now her core inspiration comes from anything around her,such as beautiful people, plants, lines and geometry, abstract patterns and cartoon characters for kids (Ben 10, Disney Princesses, Dora, Angry Birds, etc.).
She has worked with some notable brands and celebrity like, the Ice Cream, Molfix, Toke Makinwa and others.
“I would advice an artist who is just starting to be ready to work hard, to be strong emotionally because there could be some setbacks, to be persistent and consistent because it’s also very easy to give up. To be prayerful (I know they say Nigerians are too religious but prayer helps and it works). Lastly, to be passionate about the art – except, of course, it’s a hobby then you don’t have to take it too seriously” she advised.
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