Art is not easy, but pen art is even harder as once a mistake is made, it can’t be erased, and so you have to turn the error into some sort of design, says 19-year-old Peace David Mugire.
Mugire, a visual artist who uses a ball pen and paper to depict the beauty of life, says drawing allows him to share everyday situations. Sometimes he draws ideas that run through his mind, as long as they are relatable.
"My source of inspiration is our African heritage,” the artist says.
Mugira says he started drawing at a tender age, where he painted in his books using watercolours, and this, he says, he did effortlessly.
He continued with drawing in school, and has since participated, and excelled, in diverse art competitions. Some of them include; Rwanda Transparency Art Competition in 2012, Tecno Mobile Rwanda Art Competition in 2019, and Bic Art Master in 2021, among others.
In order to boost his talent, he joined Nyundo School of Art and Music in 2018 where he participated in some exhibitions and discussions. The school equipped him with principles and diverse techniques of art.
Some of Mugire’s portraits.
Unfortunately, along the way, his parents weren’t able to cater for his school fees and basic needs, and so Mugire had to raise part of the fees with the money he earned from the art exhibitions.
Mugire says it wasn’t easy, but dropping out of school wasn’t an option. And so he strived to foot part of the fees from 2009 to 2016.
"This period pushed me out of my comfort zone. In 2019, I organised my first art exhibition dubbed "Voice of Rwanda” in collaboration with Irembo Mama Rwanda Foundation. With this, I was able to support my family financially,” he says.
Mugire has been able to display his portraits in a number of galleries such as NP Art Gallery in Kacyiru, INO Art Gallery in Gisementi and Irembo Foundation in Kinamba.
Although he hasn’t opened his own art studio yet, he is saving some money to make that dream reality. He believes, that way, he will express his ideas and support society in a creative way.
Mugire’s portraits range from $150 for A4, $250 for A3 to $500 for A2, if framed. He looks up to famed Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci.
"Leonardo da Vinci’s creativity stimulates me, he invented the sketches of airplanes, military guns, chemical reactions, that are still used up to now, worldwide,” he says.
Mugire says that it has been a journey of learning and exploring the art industry. Although he isn’t where he wishes to be, at least he is glad he is earning from his talent.
Following his heart
Even though Mugire’s father discouraged him from doing art claiming that it doesn’t pay off, he proved him wrong when his art exhibition turned successful.
"I recall my father telling me that art isn’t a profession that pays enough money, he instead wanted me to be an engineer just like him, but I turned a deaf ear because I was sure I would make the best out of it.
"At this point, my father is even proud of me. If I had given up on my talent because of his advice, I wouldn’t have discovered how far I can go and probably, I would have believed that may be I wasn’t good enough, which isn’t true,” he notes.
The youngster can now pay for his two sisters’ scholastic materials, one in primary four and another in senior five.
He looks forward to pursuing a course in industrial art at the university. Growing up in a humble family, he didn’t get everything he yearned for, and for this reason, he wants to help needy children get off the street and get an education.
Mugire says that the urge to help needy children sometimes keeps him up at night, and he thinks of ways to sell as many art pieces as possible to make this happen. His portraits are now being sold in the US and England.
You can reach Peace David Mugire on 0789901891