Art-Devine-Slasher

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Archive for category Inspirational

What do trials mean to you?

Jan 31

Posted by Nkolika in Inspirational, Spiritual | No Comments

Today’s a good day to do a little quiz. I decided to find out  what book of the bible I was and was not surprised when my result came out thus:

You are the book of Job.

Immovable even in the midst of trials, you never give up or give in!

You are viewed by others as stalwart and tough, inclined to being a little egotistical at times, but they admire your confidence and tenacity!

Mmmh, it still marvels me how accurate these quizzes can be.  Egotistical????!!!!………………dunno about that part.  My approach to trials has always been that they are there to strengthen me. In the lives of  the countless number of Saints who walked this earth like Mother Theresa of Calcutta, St. Padre Pio, St. Elizabeth Ann-Seton just to mention a few; suffering and trials were always a source of endless strength to them and they embraced it with so much love and resignation. The greatest example is the life of our Lord Jesus Christ, who walked this earth in the midst of trials and endless suffering. When things happen that I do not understand I always say “Thank you, Jesus”.

Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On such occasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is the divine medicine.

St. Augustine

How do you approach the trials that may crop up in your life from time to time? What do you do with them? 

Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him; If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him….He does nothing in vain; He may prolong my life, He may shorten it; He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends, He may throw me to strangers, He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide the future from me; still He knows what He is about.

St. John Henry Cardinal Newman

Would you want to find out what book of the bible you are? Find out here

May we learn to embrace the trials that come to us with love knowing that our Lord is ever closer to us at such times.

Image courtesy of  free bible.com

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Art or Medicine?

Jan 30

Posted by Nkolika in ACEO, Inspirational, Women | 3 Comments

Acrylic ACEO painting of a bird by Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Motmot bird

2.5″ X 3.5″

Acrylic on gessoed matt board

copyright Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Click here to buy

I was going through Deborah Paris‘ blog yesterday and I found out I had something in common with her (something aside from the fact that we both love painting). I found out much to my amusement that she is a trained lawyer who left law practice after 20 years to pursue her passion for painting.  After reading her interview which was published in her Alumni magazine, all I could do was smile to myself because I understood perfectly where she was coming from and where she was heading to. As a Medical doctor and painter; one question I am kind of used to now is “will you leave medicine to become a full time artist?”. Up until now my answer had always been: I intend to combine the two for as long as I can. Do you think it is feasible?

I wish I could see into the future to answer the question  myself. But I guess the best approach is the one I have opted to take and that is to take things a step at a time and to take each day as I see it.  Maybe someday I would tell the kind of story that Deborah Paris is telling now and just like her paintings stand out so beautifully, mine would do the same.

There are quite a lot of differences in our stories. She studied art……………..I did not. Even though some people feel that having a formal art education makes little or no difference. Others feel that it is essential because according to them Galleries are more interested in a certificate as it assures them that an artist can talk about his/her work. Either way, I believe it makes little or no difference. Of course having a formal education brings with it a lot of advantages like exhibition opportunities, closer relationship with fellow artists and much greater exposure. But though the journey of a self taught artist is much more harrowing I feel it is much more uplifting and fulfilling. Nevertheless, who are we to sit here today and claim we know what tomorrow has in store for each and everyone of us.

One thing I try not to do is to say “never” because I cannot see beyond the tip of my nose let alone know where my love for art and painting would take me. I admire people like Deborah, who wake up one day and start walking down a whole new road in their lives. Not everyone can do that.  It takes a tremendous amount of courage, self confidence and God’s grace to ever succeed in such a feat. I pray that one day I would have the backbone to do the same.

ART-DEVINE-SLASHER

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Acrylic ACEO Seascape painting

Jan 21

Posted by Nkolika in ACEO, Inspirational | 9 Comments

Acrylic ACEO Seascape painting by Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Acrylic Seascape painting

2.5″ x 3.5″

Click here to buy

I came across a quiz on what your taste in Music says about you, on Vivien Blackburn‘s blog and I decided to give it a try. Wasn’t too surprised with the results though. But here are my results

Your musical tastes are reflective and complex. (I totally agree!!!)

You are intellectual to the point of being cerebral. (this is a perfect and accurate nail on the head)

You are very open to new experiences, and even more open to new ideas and theories.(mmmh………nice!! Never thought otherwise)

Wisdom and personal accomplishment are important to you.(True)

You are naturally sophisticated.(didn’t know that)

You are drawn to art, especially art by independent artists.(of course)

You are likely to be financially well off… and not because you were born that way. (To this I say a big AMEN………so be it!!!!)

So what does your taste in music say about you? Check it up  here

Yesterday Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States of America. As an African living in Africa and as a dreamer it was so easy to identify with what Barack Obama truly stands for and represents to millions of people around the world. What happened told (and still tells) me that I can do what ever I set my mind on (not that I ever doubted in anyway.) But it goes a long way to boost my confidence and determination. Many who do not know how challenging being an African is would not understand why so many people reacted (and are still reacting) to Barack’s historic step up the way they did.

I do not agree with him in too many things but it does not in anyway prevent me from learning one or two things. As an artist, I have a lot of dreams and aspirations. As an African trying to gain a tiny bit of recognition for my art in the midst of so many other better advantaged artists, there are so many challenges that lie ahead. But like the saying goes “the patient dog eats the fattest bone”…………..Like Barack Obama, anyone who dares to dream will one day have his/her dreams fulfilled. It only takes time and determination.

I came across this quiz about how much I knew about Barack Obama and I was shocked at my score? Got 9/10 Questions Right . Yet again what did I expect when the only thing on the news is Barack Obama!!!. Anyway, here’s a breakdown of my result:

You are a probably a news junkie, Obama fan, or both. (I will go with News Junkie)

You know a lot about Barack Obama – including his politics, history, and family.

It’s likely you’re a very knowledgeable person and quite well read.(Impressive)

You can’t stand ignorant people, no matter what their political persuasion is.(quite true……….as apolitical as I am I believe people should at least want to know the basics about anything)


So how much do you know about the 44th president of the United States of America? Check  here.

Also check this piece on 510 ways of creatively anouncing Barack Obama’s victory by Artdaily.org

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Acrylic on paper painting of Giraffes

Jan 19

Posted by Nkolika in Acrylic paintings, Botswana, Inspirational, Wildlife | 2 Comments

Acrylic painting of giraffe silhouettes by Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Giraffe Silhouettes

20cm x 28cm

copyright Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

For some time now I’ve been having a lot of fun and deriving a lot of joy from painting wildlife. It definitely is influenced by where I have found myself………………….Botswana.  Botswana hasn’t been good to me in a lot of ways, but I have simply chosen to see the good sides of the place.  I keep saying I’m way too young to burden myself with thoughts that will not in anyway make me a better person or make me happy. The bottom line’s that I am too young to send myself to an early grave. Needless to say it is always very important to try and see the beautiful side of any where you find yourself.

Coming here opened a totally new chapter in my life. A chapter I was not in anyway ready for (can we ever be completely ready for what life throws at us?). But like a popular saying in my culture that says “a na awachi uwa ogodo”…………which means adorning life with beautiful ornaments no matter the circumstances, I decided a long time ago to keep my shoulders straight and walk with my head high at all times. Yeah, like the giraffes in the painting above. If I could get my neck to be that long I would definitely be making a statement to the world around me that I have simply chosen not to be deterred.

What is it that you’re going through now? Have things happened that have made your shoulders slouch and made you constantly afraid of looking the world in the eye? Brace up and know you’re not (never alone). Like giraffes who never walk with their heads low, may we all learn to stare down adversities and disappointments.

Everyone reaches a point in their life where they must either change or cease

Brett Whiteley

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Acrylic on canvas painting: Expectations

Jan 1

Posted by Nkolika in Acrylic paintings, Inspirational | No Comments

Expectations-acrylic on canvas painting

Expectations

Acrylic on canvas

19″ x 36″

Date painted: 2005

copyright Nkolika Anyabolu (MD)

Finally 2009 is here…..and it’s here to stay. 2008 was a year that many found extremely difficult and many more found very good. 2008 was not what I hoped it would be (was it for you?). As I sat patiently waiting for 2009 to make its entrance, I contemplated on a lot of things.

  • Am I where I would have wanted to be? No.
  • Have I done all I would have wanted to do before the year ended? No.
  • Did I have a list of things I wanted done before the year ended? No.
  • Am I grateful for the way things turned out? Yes.
  • Do I feel sad that somehow the year brought a lot of pain? Yes (and No)
  • If given the same choice of choosing between the benefit of a presidential job at the cost of separation from my husband and the benefit of building a happy home; would I choose family? Yes
  • When I kneel to pray, do I ask God a string of whys or do I say thank you for everything? Yes.
  • Do I have any regrets? No

There are lots of questions that usually go through our minds whenever the year comes to an end and we find ourselves staring a new year in the face. No matter how hard you try not to reflect on the passing year…………..somehow nature always makes sure the year flashes through your mind. Many of us decide to make resolutions (which I gave up on after several failed attempts at keeping to them. Sometimes I even forgot what my resolutions were!!!). Many, like me, choose to sit in a quiet corner and reflect on the journey so far.
As I waited for the right moment to call family and friends to wish them a happy New Year; my hubby opted to go to bed. Hard as I tried to get him to stay awake with me, he saw no reason to stay awake making a statement that got me thinking all over again. He said “It’s just another day”. Is it really? I wonder…..

There’s a song I learnt 15 years ago while in high school when we were preparing for a send-forth party for the graduating class. Somehow the depth and wisdom of the song sunk in and has been my prayer since then. The song goes thus:

O I oft sit and ponder

When the sun is sinking low

Where shall yonder future find me?

Does but God in Heaven know.

Shall I be among the living?

Shall I mingle with the free?

Wheresoever my path be leading, Saviour keep my heart with thee.

(The Chorus…………my best part)
Oh the future lies before me and I know not where I’ll be
Wheresoever my path be leading, Saviour keep my heart with thee.

As I hummed it again last night close to 12am I was sure of one thing and one thing only as I was faced with a new year…….and that was I was filled with a lot of expectation. Yeah Expectations!!!! Lots of it!! I expect the best and I believe I will get the best.
It is a well known fact that we are what we think about every day. Our thoughts go a very long way to shaping who we are. As you entered this New Year did you have any expectations? Were they expectations that things will go well and better or that they will get worse? As you read this, what do you expect this year to be like? For you, your plans, your family, your dreams, and life in general. Unfortunately you alone can answer.

As for me, I expect the best in all my endeavours. I expect to finally get a grip on what “blogging” is all about. I expect to derive more joy and happiness from painting. I expect to spread joy and an appreciation of God’s creative power through my paintings and artworks. I expect to smile always, no matter the circumstance or situation. I expect to face more challenges and to overcome them. I expect to broaden my knowledge and learn more about art. I expect to walk more closely with God and to abandon myself without reservations at His feet. I expect to reach closer to my dreams.

Happy New Year!!!! 2009

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