We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Michael Tansi. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Michael below.

Michael , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is founding TM Art Academy. The idea came from seeing many young people with genuine artistic talent and passion but without the financial resources or opportunities to pursue art education. I knew there were students in my school and community who wanted to learn but simply couldn’t afford the training, materials, or guidance they needed.

To address this, I started TM Art Academy as a way to make art education more accessible. My goal was not just to teach art, but to give young people an opportunity to develop a valuable skill, express themselves creatively, and build confidence in their abilities.

What makes this project especially meaningful to me is the impact it has had on the people I’ve been able to help. Although TM Art Academy is still growing, I’ve already had the opportunity to teach and mentor several students from my school and community. Seeing them develop their skills and gain confidence has been incredibly rewarding.

This project means a lot to me because it reflects my belief that talent should not be limited by financial circumstances. Through TM Art Academy, I’ve been able to give back to my community and help others access opportunities that they might not otherwise have had. The academy is still in its early stages, but the positive impact we’ve made so far motivates me to continue growing it and reaching more people.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

My name is Michael Tansi Aiyede, an artist, art educator, and founder of TM Art Academy. I was born into a family of three children, with two sisters and myself as the only son. My journey into art began at a very early age. At the age of five, I discovered my passion and talent for drawing and creativity. I believe art is a gift that God placed in me, and from that young age, I found joy in expressing myself through it.

Throughout primary and secondary school, art was more of a hobby than a career path. It was something I loved doing during my free time and a natural part of who I was. However, after completing my WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations, I faced a difficult period when I was unable to secure admission into the university. Rather than sit idle at home, I decided to invest my time in developing my artistic skills.

In 2020, I enrolled at KC Art Studios (Creative Concepts Art Studios), where I had the privilege of learning under the mentorship of Mr. Ferdinand Lamai. What made this experience especially meaningful was that he taught me art completely free of charge. At a time when I had limited opportunities, he opened a door for me and invested in my growth without expecting anything in return.

I spent over two years and six months at KC Art Studios, first as a student and later as a member of the team after being employed. It was during this period that I began to take art professionally and developed a deeper understanding of both the creative and business aspects of the craft. Like many artists, I faced challenges learning and mastering different techniques, but persistence, mentorship, and passion helped me grow.

One thing that became clear to me during that journey was that I had a strong desire not only to create art but also to teach it. I saw many talented young people around me who lacked opportunities, guidance, or resources. I was especially troubled by the number of young people who were unemployed and unable to develop valuable skills that could create opportunities for them. Because I was given the opportunity to learn for free, I felt a responsibility to extend that same opportunity to others.

This conviction led to the birth of TM Art Academy. The vision of the academy is simple but powerful: to raise the next generation of artists by providing quality art education, mentorship, hope, and opportunities. Through TM Art Academy, I strive to make art education accessible to aspiring artists, particularly those who may not have the financial means to pursue formal training.

My work focuses on teaching drawing, painting, creative thinking, and practical artistic skills while helping students build confidence and discover their potential. I believe art is not only about creating beautiful works but also about empowering individuals, transforming lives, and opening doors to new possibilities.

What sets my work apart is the mission behind it. TM Art Academy was not founded primarily as a business; it was founded as a response to an act of generosity that changed my life. Because someone believed in me and taught me without charge, I am committed to doing the same for others. Every student I teach represents an opportunity to pass forward the gift that was given to me.

The achievement I am most proud of is seeing the impact the academy has already made. Although TM Art Academy is still growing, it has helped young people in my school and community gain artistic skills, confidence, and direction. Watching students discover their abilities and begin to believe in themselves is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

For potential clients, supporters, followers, and partners, I want them to know that my brand is built on creativity, education, service, and empowerment. My mission goes beyond creating art—I am committed to using art as a tool for transformation, opportunity, and hope. Through TM Art Academy, I hope to continue raising a generation of skilled artists who can use their talents to build meaningful futures for themselves and positively impact their communities.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes. The mission driving my creative journey is to use art as a tool for empowerment, education, and transformation. I believe that talent should never be limited by a lack of opportunity or financial resources.

Having been given the opportunity to learn art for free through the generosity of my mentor, Mr. Ferdinand Lamai, I developed a strong desire to give back by helping others access the same opportunities. This inspired me to establish TM Art Academy, where my goal is to raise the next generation of artists by providing mentorship, practical skills, and creative education.

More importantly, TM Art Academy is connected to my life’s purpose of helping others. Having experienced the power of mentorship and generosity firsthand, I feel a responsibility to give back by creating opportunities for talented young people who may lack the resources to pursue their gifts. At its core, the academy is about service.

Beyond creating artwork, I am passionate about helping young people discover their talents, build confidence, and develop skills that can create opportunities for their future. My goal is not only to teach art but to help young people discover their potential, gain confidence, and build a brighter future through the opportunities that art can provide.

Every student I teach represents a chance to positively impact a life and contribute to a stronger creative community. My long-term vision is to expand the reach of TM Art Academy and make quality art education accessible to more aspiring artists, especially those who may not have the financial means to pursue formal training. Through art, I hope to inspire hope, create opportunities, and help people realize their full potential.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives often struggle to understand about my journey is the depth of passion and responsibility behind it. To many people, art is often seen as just a hobby or a form of entertainment—something expressive but not necessarily life-changing. However, for me, creativity is deeply tied to purpose, impact, and even survival in a broader sense.

What is often misunderstood is why I take skill development so seriously. Many non-creatives may not immediately see how important access to a skill can be in shaping a young person’s future. But from my experience, I have seen how talented young people can lose direction not because they lack ability, but because they lack access to mentorship, training, or financial support to develop what they already carry within them.

This is one of the gaps I believe non-creatives don’t always recognize—the reality that when a young person is denied the opportunity to learn a meaningful skill, it doesn’t just limit their career options; it can also affect their sense of direction, confidence, and future possibilities. In that sense, access to skill is not a luxury, but a critical part of personal development and life direction.

This belief is a major reason I founded TM Art Academy. It is my response to that gap—to create access for young people who are passionate but limited by circumstance. I have personally experienced the value of mentorship and opportunity, and I understand how transformative it can be when someone invests in your growth.

At its core, TM Art Academy is about service. My goal is to give young people the chance I once received: to learn, grow, and build a future through creativity. I see art not just as a subject, but as a pathway that can restore confidence, create direction, and open meaningful opportunities for those who might otherwise be overlooked.

Ultimately, what I want people to understand is that creativity is not separate from life—it is deeply connected to it. For creatives like myself, it is not simply about producing work, but about shaping lives and creating possibilities where there might otherwise be none.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://sites.google.com/view/tm-art-academy/home
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086515090586
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tmartacademy?si=B1MltoRSGNwwyXTL
• Other: https://wa.me/qr/X5QJJJ7XYYJXM1
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Image Credits

Photo credit to Anthonia Aiyede