We recently connected with Osei Ovid and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Osei, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Although it happened several times, that I experienced the true pursuit of a creative/artistic path, the first time definitely is the most memorable. It’s Monday morning I remember waking up early, breakfast quickly inhaled, Jansport backpack full of homework assignments, cds, camera equipment, and all the black&white film I could carry. I’m rushing out the front door on my way to 1st period basketball practice at Tom C. Clark high school. I don’t want to be late, because I don’t want to run laps. The year circa 1991, my only real responsibilities in the world are to get good grades at school, excel at everything, don’t get in trouble as a young black male growing up in America. Pretty simple demands.
Somehow I ended up owning a Canon Ftb 35mm camera, with the black body. This turns out to be one of the best acquisitions in my artist journey, because ultimately I learn to make money with it. One morning somewhere in between free throws and layup drills, I become highly distracted.
All I can think about is the 36 exposed pictures on the roll of Kodak Tmax 100 speed film in my bag. The coach is yelling “what are you doing Osei???? FOCUS” That was exactly the concept that crossed my mind… Are my pictures in focus, I instantly snap back to the current moment, when a passed basketball smacks me directly in the face…POW!!!! Flashing lights. Of course my teammates laugh, and my ego is momentarily shattered, however I recover quickly. The previous weekend’s undeveloped images are still the only thing I’m thinking about.
That particular morning felt especially long and drawn out. My next two class periods were completely a blur, mostly due to the numbing feelings in my face, but also because all I really wanted was to develop my film in a stainless steel tank in my photography class. Finally I get to 4th period with my favorite teacher Mr. Mac. The assignment was to take a roll of nature shots with natural lighting. I took two. Our master photographer we were studying was Ansel Adams. Class always started with roll call,
and then after is when the magic happened.
The darkroom had a revolving door, and to me it always felt like entering another dimension through a time portal. There were film loading stations, Bessler enlargers with Schneider lenses, and paper developing trays. I was the 1st person through the revolving door that day. I grabbed the developing tank that held two reels. I take my film out of my pocket, and go into the pitch black loading closet. I fumble around in the darkness in a time span that felt like eternity, but realistically was only about 15 minutes. Once the film was loaded I emerged into the dimly red lit, dank smell of photo chemicals room. I pour the developer into the tank and begin to process my film. The allotted time passes while steadily shaking the can like a martini in a Manhattan bar. I take my film out, carefully attaching film clips on the ends so that it doesn’t curl or scratch in the film dryer. I’m excited because one of the rolls looks perfectly shot and exposed. This was the 1st time I’d ever experienced not having under or over exposed values. My KODAK Tmax 100 dries, I cut it into strips of 6, put them in plastic sleeves, and begin to gleefully dance. This was a defining moment for me, I realized that my pictures were going to be awesome, because my negatives were. My teacher examines the sharpness, contrasts, composition, and film count with his loupe on the light table. He marks an A+ with a Red Sharpie. Hard work and persistence paid off and my reward was having my next photography class to look forward and being able to print those perfect negatives and turn them into positives.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Nowadays I’m a juried multiple award-winning emerging artist who resides in the Dallas metropolitan area. I have a unique, hyper-texture/colorful multimedia art style, which incorporates various techniques and modalities. I am a natural born giver, and believer of artistic expression, I choose to inspire people through creativity and joy.

There are no bad days for this creator; only bad moments in which I find opportunities to smile big and shine brilliantly. I participate in multiple shows, charitable events, venues including collaborative installations and performances.
I am affiliated with Art Nomadic art group, I hold the 2019 50th Annual Cottonwood Art Festival Best of show title where I won their chair contest. I am dedicated and committed to the preservation of art into the world community. Unselfishly I have donated pieces of artwork to benefit children, cancer patients, and homeless victims. Although I am formally trained as a commercial photographer and computer animator; I currently enjoy exploring acrylic painting, music engineering, video production, 3D character renders, and virtual reality content creation.

Since January 9, 2016, I began a reinvention/healing journey that allowed me to become a creator and maker that reflects a positive life. The purpose of this exposure is to familiarize certain targeted demographic communities with the unique bodies of work I have created; while experiencing multiple hardships. My goal is to inspire people with a fresh perspective of awesome visual imagery, thought provoking words, alluring soundscapes, and hope for a better tomorrow. My intentions are to encourage current and future generations to enjoy and benefit from the arts, and to provide a platform that brings the arts from a digital space (cellphone, computers, Nft) back into our physical world. I choose to give back to community locally in Dallas and also globally.
In March of 2022 I exhibited and auctioned 36 pieces at The Arts and Medicine program at Baylor Sammons Cancer center in Dallas Texas. It’s a monumental treasure, which continues to bring joy, peace, and healing through the resources of Art to Patients, caretakers, and Baylor staff.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There are so many rewards nothing is promised to anyone. I believe that everyone has the ability to express themselves artistically in some form. The biggest reward for me is the freedom and ability to inspire and impact lives with colors, thoughts, and words.

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

I drive to thrive… I once read that Pablo Picasso had more than 50,000 creations when he died… I want to achieve that goal

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shopvida.com/collections/osei-ovid
• Instagram: @samuraismiles
• Facebook: Eyes like Octopi
• Linkedin: Osei Ovid
• Twitter: @samuraismiles
• Other: Tune into social media for soon launching website

Image Credits
Osei-Ovid©2022