Artist Packaging themselves for the Art World with Limited Resources: An African Artist's Journey

In the bustling city of Bauchi (Nigeria), I find myself juggling between my passion for art and the need for a day job to sustain myself. Balancing these two worlds poses a unique challenge, especially when it comes to marketing and presenting my art.

My trusty laptop, albeit fairly effective, faces a significant hurdle – no battery. On the other hand, I have an ancient laptop, so slow that I playfully renamed it 'typewriter' because it struggles even with basic internet tasks. Despite its slowness, it comes with a battery. However, the catch is, I can't work online with it.

Complicating matters further is the unreliable electricity in Nigeria. At my workplace, there's only electricity from 6 pm to 6 am, making it impossible to carry my laptop and work during those hours. Financial constraints make getting a new laptop seem like a distant dream.

In this challenging scenario, my phone becomes my lifeline. Despite its limitations, I've managed to create a thumbnail using an online editor called Canva. This tiny device has also been my tool for creating videos, recording voiceovers, and even converting text to speech.

While the road ahead may be tough, and the resources limited, I'm determined to make the most of what I have. Every creation, every video, and every piece of art is a step forward in my artistic journey. Thank you for joining me on this challenging yet rewarding path.

Thanks for reading through.

Artist Ifeaka Terry

https://youtube.com/tugis7

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Challenging myself daily and trying to apply the philosophy of winning daily

There was a motivational speech I heard but never saw the speaker. I thought it was Jocko Willink but the speaker cuss a lot and I suspect it isn’t him. The speaker taught that to be a winner, you must try to win daily and if you win every-day (little by little), you would eventually just be a ‘winner’. Basically ‘incremental progress’ explained in a way I have never hear it explained before.



It also remains me of Dr Aziz on YouTube who once taught about accepting challenges with a phrase of “Bring it on”.



Today: I intend on making personal list of things (that if I do, I would consider that day as a win, these are usually unpleasant things that I have been procrastinating or would probably procreate on). Just two or three main goals & the rest are minor goals which might sum up to 30 items daily (however, the most important task would be the first 3).



Today being Tuesday 9th February 2021, I would do some deep cleaning (might take 4 to 6 hours) from laundry to washing my bike, toilet and room. Secondly, I would study for my exams and thirdly I would just make a quick sketch that would be filmed to be uploaded on YouTube (I might not have the time to upload it on YouTube due to my double shift just for today). 

 

 

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Cultivating artistic discipline by sketching daily

Ballpoint pen drawing on recycled paper (daily drawing goals).

I am an artist who procrastinates a lot. My first attempt at vlogging on YouTube was centred on the habit of procrastination and my struggle to overcome it. I have an overwhelming amount of “great ideas” which unfortunately, can never be fulfilled completely. At the time I published my first vlog, I thought I would make the next episode within one or at most two weeks, but that didn’t happen. 2 years later and I am yet to publish a follow up.



In my quest to reinvent myself as an artist, I am convinced that sketching every day is an important ritual that I must practice to achieve artistic discipline. For example, each time I take a long sabbatical, I notice that I have to paint or draw for a few hours before my hands remember how I hold and use the tools.



In the Bible the whole-number or ‘number of completion’ is 7. However, personally the number that symbolise completion is the number 10. Coincidently, I have reached the tenth year on the internet trying to publish and market my art. I got online just after the ‘great internet art bubble bust’ (in the year 2007, which was the peak of online art sales). That year, people were making tens of thousands of dollars just selling their original art online then all of a sudden it just drop (like it’s a hot object). Had it been I knew then, what I know now; I would probably be a millionaire by now.



I have been doing some sober reflection and at this stage, even without releasing a great amount of ‘finished’ work, I have amassed a verse quantity of knowledge on online marketing. It is really time to apply these knowledges.

STARTING ANEW

Back in 2007, when I was first experimenting with the internet, I was able to make a religious paining called ‘Anew’. Now looking back at the work, I know that the young man who created that painting has drastically changed from the grown up man that I am today. My philosophy about art, religion and life are no longer the same. I feel showing some of my old artwork in the year 2019 would not be a true representation of who I am or what I want. Those works belongs in my personal archive. For this reason I have resolved to start afresh. I intend on making new set of artworks that would take almost 2 years to have a full set.

Displaying the old work would not only make my work lack coherence, but some of the old artworks are actually contradictory to the new once.

That means apart from about 10 works of old art, I would stock my personal website with works from 2018 and beyond (Gods willing). So to fill up the website (so it doesn’t only have 2 or 3 ‘finished’ works), I have embarked on a huge sketching frenzy while I work carefully to create the more detailed and ‘masterful’ gallery worthy works. Hence the daily sketch undertaking.

THE DISCIPLINE I ACQUIRED OUTSIDE OF THE ART INDUSTRY

I have a day-job (as a part time artist) where I spend an average of 10 hours on the job and my phones are always open for work related emergency calls. I refer to is as my shi**y job because of the very poor income but priceless experience and exposure. As someone who use to suffer from severe SAD (social anxiety disorder), interacting with the public on a one-on-one bases has given me the exposure and strength of character that I would have otherwise never had (especially if I isolated myself in an art studio).

Another advantage acquired outside of the art industry is the work ethic and the ability to work long hours on things I don’t like. When I was 12 years old, I could paint right after school 2pm until 5am the next day, only getting up briefly to eat or urinate but I was ‘fuelled’ by my love for art and passion. There was a time I got a 12 hours a day job and I quit after 2 days because it felt as if all I was doing was sleep and work. Now, I can easily pull an 18 hours surprise extra time (and still be on stand-by during the remaining hours of that day). At my place of work, I am the person to stand-in for anyone who quit their job or fall ill. I recently discovered that the fastest way to lose 10 pounds of body weight OVERNIGHT is to pull a surprise 18 hours shift, it is far effective than just fasting due to the stress.



It is my intension to incorporate these work ethic to my art career (which is my dream career), regardless of whether I have the free time or not. The only hindrance is the medication I often take to sedate me from having a panic attack during the day (part of the side effect is tiredness as it was originally meant to be a tranquiliser).

THE STRUGGLE WITH PROCRASTINATION

I am aware of my struggle with procrastination as an artist. EVERY SINGLE DAY, I tell myself I would make art today but as Steven Pressfield would say; ‘Resistance’ out smarts me. Resistance is the name the author called an innate self-sabotaging personality that most armature-artist has to overcome to become (as he themes it) “pros” (in his book ‘The War of Art’ which I recommend all career artist read).

The only difference is that this time, I have gained a lot of knowledge from following people like Jorden Peterson (who I respect and also hate at the same time), Mal Robbins and Brian Tracy (who I almost warship because I know what I have learnt from them, are the most influential and powerful truths that would eventually lead to my ‘freedom’ from procrastination). I am more aware of what am doing to myself subconsciously now, than ever before (and whenever I applied these knowledge, I always see the powerful results, as expected. It is the old fashion law of ‘cause and effect’).

WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO IMPROVE THEIR ARTISTIC SKILL AND ACHIEVE DISCIPLINE?

Even an armature artist (who does it purely for the love of making art), would profit greatly from artistic discipline because it would make them skilled enough to successfully execute any idea they have at record speed (the excitement of manifesting multiple ideas is priceless). The consistent practise would result in greater efficiency.

THE MASTER PLAN

Well, as I said before, I have over a thousand ideas that I have compiled over the year. I have about 700 voice recorded ideas and many others I wrote down on papers.

So the new goal is to pick one idea after the other. Once I execute one, I rest for a day and start working on the other (yes, part of the knowledge I have gained recently is the importance of rest/break for peak performance). Some of the ideas are long term (meaning it is not something I can do in a month or a week), more like a lifestyle or a continuous activity. Two example of this long term idea is to continuously have something on my Instagram Story (probably a live sketch) or to spend 30 minutes each day reading something about contemporary art or art history.

Then there are the once where I have concept for an artwork or caricature which can be achieve and ‘tick off’ within a day or a month (I have many of these). The unfortunate thing is that it takes me weeks to ‘finish’ a single artwork and an average of 150 hours of deep concentration, so indeed I would go to my grave without working on some of these concepts.



I would start by creating an episode 2 of my Vlog, almost 2 year after episode 1. From there, I would move on.

DOCUMENTATION AND PRIVACY ISSUES

It is my intension to document almost every aspect of my artistic progression. As a new student of Gary Vee, I know the importance of these if not for today, but for posterity. However, I am the private type of person. I am sure, if you have not seen me in real life, you probably don’t know my voice or ever seen me smile, well even my next door neighbours has never seen me smile.



I don’t feel comfortable when people look at me and now I intend on posting my activities online to be judged by anyone and everyone. I am sure I would not have been able to do this 10 years ago when I first came on the internet but thanks to my day job, I have a little tolerance for this now. I intend on ‘silencing my thoughts’ as if no one is there or no camera is watching. Unfortunately, during the live section, you might hear me whisper an idea to myself or ‘think aloud’ (embarrassingly).

TECHNICAL CHALLENGES OF DAILY DOCUMENTATION

I expect to face some major challenges while trying to fulfil this plan of mine to document my daily ‘studio life’.

First; I get knocked-out after work from the tranquiliser.

Secondly; There is the challenge of not having enough spare-time, which I would overcome.

Then there is the major challenge of electricity. My phone battery drains quickly so I occasionally must stop to charge it, The phone also overheat a lot (it is my camera). I am currently investing in education and it’s my dream to complete my degree (even though I no longer believe in a university degree, I feel I need to complete what I have started), so buying a new phone is out of the question for now. Couple that with an unstable supply of electricity this raining season. We are currently in the raining season and this year, it has been more of a wind than water. So after a windstorm, we often experience power outage for many hours (sometimes days). I believe my battery started developing fault because I was always charging it with a petrol generator and the current from the generators damages battery over time.

The fifth and last challenge is; internet and its cost. A ten minute video in HD is about 2GB. Only a Nigerian would understand what that means in terms of finance (not to mention the network quality and time to upload such a huge file). That means if I try to upload a 1 hour HD video daily, it would require a daily data usage of 12GB. That is why I have opted for the lesser resolution videos for now, until the time is right and I can afford the elaborate once.



Then there is the time constrain as I have to play the ‘jack of all trade’ until I am able to hire professionals who would save me the time in doing some non-artwork related work (although creative but has nothing to do with the creation of the physical artwork). Example is the editing of video (which I do poorly), and the writing up of great blog post and description, scheduling my time, research, social media engagement, photography, and etc.

All five of these challenges shall be conquered. As the good book said, the person that waits for the perfect weather condition before planting, would end up having a fallow farmland during harvest season. So it is vitally important that I fully utilise the limited resource at my disposal. I remember asking a subsistence farmer if he was able to conclude his farming before sunset, he laughed and said “that is not how farming works, the farmer does his best each day and return”.

THE CRAZY REASON WHY I WOULD FOREVER BE A PART-TIME ARTIST

It is my opinion that being a part-time artist is equivalent to freedom. I also think it is healthy.

The stereotypical image of an artist is someone who might be creative, but also weird. I don’t know why a lot of the famous once have been strange and many of the living once seems a little ‘out of touch with reality’. That is why sometimes when I see some artist explaining art creation at exhibitions, I wonder am I confused or is the artist confused? Some of them look crazy from a far so you can only imagine how much crazy they be when you have come to know them personally. Sometimes insanity is contagious and if you listen to a mad-person long enough, you too would be crazy.

Making art can sometime be a lonely occupation. One has to isolate themselves from others to tap into the ‘muse’ and get inspired or develop the ideas they might have gotten during the day, they also isolate themselves while making such artworks. Too much isolation often is a sign of an unhealthy mental state of mind. It is beautiful but if done too much would harm the practitioner. Even artist who were socially active and skilled (like Picasso) often still produce strange works of art (indicating that in the solitude of their studio, they started thinking ‘out of the box’).



I dream of one day re-opening a brick and mortal studio in Nigeria (exclusively for the creation and appreciation of art, not a gallery for displaying art but a studio for creating art). Although Tugis Art Studio is fully incorporated, I still haven’t paid for a studio. I use to have fantasy of making art all night long from my studio with the lights on and the large store door wide open for the pure natural fresh night air to blow me while I create alone or alongside a handful of artists who are fully involved with their work. This fate awaits other profession that requires focus and concentration (like the stereotypes for mathematicians and scientist). It is no surprise that Hitler was a skilled but unsuccessful artist; he woke up one day like a mad scientist and felt he would take over the world by manipulating the Aryan race. If only he had a part-time job to compensate his dream job of being a painter, he would have made controversial artworks instead of getting involved with unionism and subsequently politics (okay, that is a tasteless joke).



Being a part-time artist would make the artist a little less crazy (not completely though).

The disadvantage of being a part-time artist is that; if I try to concentrate too much on my art, I might lose my day job (which is the major source of my income and the source of my artistic freedom). You see, when you don’t depend on your art to pay for the bills, you can make a thought provoking work that might upset your collectors or intended buyers (for example; if I own a big national gallery, I can’t criticise the sitting government while begging for grant and support from that same government, I might praise it even though they don’t deserve it which adds to the delusion of the leader who is detached from the reality of his incompetence and how it affects his subjects).

BACK TO SCHOOL AND ITS CONNECTION TO MY GOAL OF HAVING AN ONLINE NIGERIAN ART GALLERY/STORE

A few years ago, I wrote about leaving school after two brutal years of schooling. Today, I have finally gone back to school but this time I want to get a degree in Business. The first exams I wrote; I studied and sat for it with the attitude of a student that just wanted to pass an exam with a great GP. After that examination, I noticed that the entrepreneurial strategy that was been taught academically was ‘creating some sparks in my brain’. I felt I would actually apply some of this ‘academic knowledge’ in the pursuit of my art career. I currently aspire to be am “Artist-Entrepreneur”. If I succeed, I would open a galley just like that of Chief Nikki but mine would be online instead of a brick and mortal gallery. It might be called ‘The Nigerian Yessy Gallery’. Back in the days, Yessy doesn’t accept Nigerians (due to the influx of scammer who were ruining the shopping experience of its users) so I intend on creating an online art hub for Nigerian artist who have been personally vented by me to be genuine (so the struggling local artist can have a shot at eCommerce).

Back in the days, Yessy.com use to dominate the online gallery sector. They bought google ads at a low price and gained greatly from it. However, they must have had issues with internet scammers and decided to ban all Nigerian IP Address from selling art on their website. Sometimes I feel like they take delight in telling the aspiring and upcoming Nigerian artist to elf off (many of whom at that time, didn’t know that there were hundreds of art galleries that accepted Nigerians but didn’t tap into the cheap Google advertisement placement on keywords in those days, so they didn’t get much traffic and sales because no one knew they existed, both buyers and seller).

Now I read with interest. It really supplemented the knowledge I was gaining online (already) and guided me to search for terms I wouldn’t have otherwise thought of researching (if I wasn’t exposed to the academic aspect of Business Management).

CONCLUSION

Ten years on the internet and it is just now I am doing what I ought to have done from day one. Although I am a little ill-equipped, I intend on optimising the current infrastructures I have at my disposal. With this limited time that I have, I have also realised that the only way I would execute this intention is if I re-ignite the passion for art that I had when I was at the early stages of discovering how to make art and practice daily by making a drawing a day, every day.

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ArtMajeur.com ~ Finally got an eCommerce after a decade

It sound unbelievable but it’s been 10 years since I last had a functional eCommerce online (where prospective buyers can just purchase my art without contacting me first). Back in 2008, after less than a year online, I found an online art gallery where I was a paid member and showed my art there for about 2 years before it closed. Since it closed around 2009 I haven’t look at that direction until today when I tested the eCommerce features at another secured online art gallery (artmajeur.com).


I am very excited about this and hope that this time, I’m able to put in 10 years of experience to be one of their bestselling artists (hopefully).


I am currently offering for sale, my ballpoint sketches at an unbelievable giveaway price (for now, to boost sales and gain trust on the platform as a serious seller).


I only paid for a month to see if it is worth it. It is my intention to try and post small work at affordable prices and test the reaction of their assumed audience. I am also driving the little traffic to the site. It is purely a marketing thing and not the romantic artist goals. As for passion, nothing can stop me (except myself) from making an art I believe in.


They claimed that I can upload unlimited number of artwork, so it is time to test this unlimited offer by posting one of my ballpoint pen sketches every single day. Anyway, I just hope I am able to utilise their platform properly (my fingers are crossed).

Email I got from the gallery that my payment was received.

  Back in 2008, I didn't have a card that could pay online. I would mail the cash to the gallery via mail. Those where the good old day.

Thanks for reading through.

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Please "like" my Facebook Page Dedicated To Biro Sketch

Hello readers.

I started a  ballpoint pen art page a few months ago, You can check it out, and support me with a simple 'like'. Thanks (in advance) for the 'like'.


It is at www.facebook.com/birosketch

Thank you once more.


Ife'ka Terry

www.ifekaterry.com







tugis.com.ng

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My Facebook Art Page :)

Well, it is October again. I plan on updating my website [tugis.com.ng] this month... Hmmm... I think its already 7th of October (one week into the month).


My Facebook page is 1year old now. I didn't know this until today. I was surprise to see that it was created September 29th 2011 (how time fly's)


Okay, the page is at
www.facebook.com/art.african

I do appreciate a 'like', thank you for your support and have a fulfilling Monday (ahead).


Artist Ife'ka Terry
www.ifekaterry.com

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quitting blogging about art

Sometimes I ask myself; 'Am I dreaming? How can I ever wake up from my
dreams of selling my art online (as a Nigerian). Should I quite
blogging or should I intensify my effort?'

Then I find one of those blog posts where the author says something liker: "failour only happens when you quit"

Quitting isn't an option right now.


---------------------


"Nothing in this world can take the place of
persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more
common than unsuccessful people with
talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is
almost a proverb. Education will not; the
world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence
and determination alone are omnipotent. The
slogan "press on" has solved and always will
solve the problems of the human race" -
Calvin Coolidge



Thanks for reading through.

Ife'ka Terry
www.ifekaterry.com






FACEBOOK

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www.tugis.com.ng is back online!

Obviously, my studio website is back online {tugis.com.ng}.


It is just a (small) Virtual-Catalogue containing samples of my artworks (usually 8 displayed images per category).

¤ Painting Gallery http://www.tugis.com.ng/index_painting_1.htm

¤ Drawing Gallery http://www.tugis.com.ng/index_drawing_1.htm

¤ Collage Gallery http://www.tugis.com.ng/index_collage_1.htm

¤ Biro-Sketch http://www.tugis.com.ng/index_sketch_1.htm or www.tugis.com.ng/biro


God-willing, I would update it by October 2012.


I have already expressed my apology for any inconveniences this (break) might have caused, although I am sure only a few people noticed that the site was suspended for over a period of one week.


Thanks for reading through.


Ife'ka Terry
www.ifekaterry.com


FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/art.african






ifeka.blogspot.com

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my other blog dedicated to ballpoint pen artworks ~ Biro Sketches

Please visit http://biro-sketch.blogspot.com to see some of my other artworks made with a ballpoint pen (or Biro).

I might be selecting a few to display here every week.
Thank you
© Ife'ka Terry
http://tugis.com.ng
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/birosketch

______________

For more information about the above drawing (that was made with a blue ink Biro), Please click: http://biro-sketch.blogspot.com/2012/04/portrait-of-tiger.html

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BoundlessGallery.com Is No More

Unfortunately, Boundlessgallery.com closed down yesterday (March 1, 2010). I was a member there until it closed. The newsletter we got from BG and its President explained that the website was not making enough money, and that the business model was no longer profitable. Anyway, I saw the newsletter one day to the closing date (we only had 24 hours to get over the shock). It is a very sad news. I can’t really understand how BG could fail (considering the fact that they worked very hard to give their best). It is clear that selling ORIGINAL art online is no longer an easy thing to do.

My personal opinion: It was UNNECESSARY! The administrators could keep the website opened and functional (if they wanted to) but it was not just worth their time (such activities are either for people who can look at it as a hobby or maybe an ‘idle’ person). Nevertheless, I am thankful to BG for the internet experience. Now that the ‘high-tech-art-website’ that I was so optimistic about is gone, I have to search for another website to market my work online (I mean a trusted e-commerce).

Anyway, boundlessgallery.com is ‘internet-history’ and so is my store their (Freeman.BoundlessGallery.com). Now I am left with the big task of editing my website of all the links to BG. I would work on that this month and while I am at it, I would just upload some new works. So expect my upgraded website by April.

Ife’ka Terry
www.ifekaterry.com

www.tugis.com.ng

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Delay in Delivery

I would be traveling to a new town (work related) from September until December of 2009. Since it would be my First time there, I decided that it would be better or safer not to carry my artwork with me. Incase anyone is interested in buying an artwork, I might not be able to ship it on time. I sincerely apologies for any inconveniences.

The above picture was taken from the back sit of a car while entering Jos. (mountain view at the background).

www.ifekaterry.com

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New website

Like a small seed that grows up to become a big tree, everything big started small. I finally launched my official website today (more than one month late due to events beyond my control). Like a small seed, I only have 36 artwork on display but, I hope to make it grow (as time goes bye). All glory belongs to God who has helped me through all setbacks and hindrances.


Anyway, I would be writing some exams all June (from 6th to 20th). Right now, all I think about is my many books.



Thank you.



Ife’ka Terry
http://www.ifekaterry.com/

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May I Introduce Myselp?

I am Ife'ka Terry. I own an art studio called Tugi's where I mostly make portraits with mediums like pencil, charcoal, Oil paint, watercolor and collage. I recently had a group-show at the National Gallery of Art (Federal Ministry of Culture and tourism Bauchi, Nigeria). I am a registered and active member of the society of Nigerian Artist (SNA) which organizes some major exhibition both within and outside Africa. Please if you have any question, feel free to contact me ___________ Email: tugis1@gmail.com Mobile: +234-703-492-TUGS _____ +2347034928847

My MySpace is: www.myspace.com/ifeka

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