Today we’d like to introduce you to Adaora Nwangwu.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Adaora. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a Nigerian-born, US-based multidisciplinary Visual Artist & Digital Creator. I’m best known for my figurative illustrations. I use illustration to explore various concepts ranging from my rich cultural heritage to identity, femininity, introspection, pop culture, self-expression, and so much more. I’ve been into the visual arts as far back as six years old. My mother’s side of the family is very creative and innovative, so she always encouraged me to develop those talents by supplying whatever materials I needed. I started off with making beaded jewelry and copying drawings from my Barbie coloring books. I soon ventured into pencil artwork and paints.
I received a BSc in Digital Arts & Design from Full Sail University and interned at the Walt Disney World Resort right after until the company closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I then decided to focus fully on my Visual Art & Digital Content Creation.
Art has always been a means of expression and documentation for me. Through my work, I hope to document and raise awareness of collective human culture and experiences. In my spare time, I love to collaborate with other creatives and create content for Instagram & YouTube. I am available for gallery exhibitions and custom commissions and can be contacted via email.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think forging your own path in life and trying to leave a mark on the world is a smooth road for anyone. I find that most of my struggles have been tied to feeling like I do not really belong anywhere. Having lived in Nigeria until I was a teenager and living most of my adult life in the United States, sometimes I feel like I am neither from here nor there.
Being foreign sometimes means that you move around a lot. Change becomes your close friend. There’s a constant feeling of restlessness I have because I know that I am never going to be in a place very long; I’m always anticipating where I am going to move to next. It changes you and the way you interact with your environment; everything feels temporary. Despite being challenging, this feeling has encouraged me to live my life to the fullest, always embracing each moment and seizing the day.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As I grew in my creative craft, people were very interested in getting work from me and were very eager to pay. So I started off by selling framed pencil portraits. Years down the line, this eventually grew into me providing photography, digital art, book illustration and covers, logo, video, and animation services. I’m currently focused on creating content for social media via Instagram and YouTube to document my work while doing illustration and painting commissions. I am also available for gallery exhibitions and custom commissions and can be contacted via email.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very extroverted, competitive, and active child. My parents always say I was assertive, creative, friendly, curious, and was always willing to learn and help out. My mom’s favorite thing to say about me is I wasn’t intimidated by anyone or anything, and once I wanted to do something, I found a way to do it. Growth and self-improvement have always been an important quality to me. I believe that I still have all these qualities as an adult, and they have fueled my interest in being a successful innovative and creative person.
Pricing:
- Illustration prices start at $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adaorawang.com/
- Email: adaora.wang@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adaora.wang/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adaorawang
- Other: http://www.youtube.com/c/AdaoraWang
Image Credit:
© 2020 Adaora Nwangwu
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