Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Abiola Wabara. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Abiola, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I remember making my first big sale while I had work hanging at the Breakfast Klub – It was a piece that a lot of people really liked and kept asking me about, but the price point was “too high” and I started to second guess my work, and the worth I was placing on it. That was until someone in town for a visit walked in, and all they asked was “how much to ship it to Oklahoma” – that was the day that I knew my art was worth it it just needed to be found by their person.

That is what my first big sale taught me, art is not for everyone of course, is subjective but what I never really saw was how each piece does speak to people, and the ones that feel the most connected to it will not stop at the price.

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.

I was born and raised, in Parma Italy by Nigerian parents. As a child I always had a great passion for art, going to school in Italy art classes were always part of the curriculum, and I always really loved the subject.

Once I graduated high school I decided to move to the U.S, to attend Baylor University on a basketball scholarship. After graduating, I started my career as a professional basketball player in Israel, while there I attended the artwork shop of an Israeli artist to developed my skills further, that’s when I fell in love for oil medium.

I like to focus my work on the diverse aspects of Black culture and I try to capture the beauty of my culture

I think my work is bold and expressive. I am fascinated by the human form, emotions, body language and especially eye expressions. My style, sense of color is eye catching and being noticed by many.

My work was first noticed in Ibiza and that gave me a push to keep going and share my work

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to keep creating out of passion and not necessity.

My goal with my art is to be able to tell stories and share images people can see themselves in. My mission is to have my art displayed in as many places and countries as I can, remain creatively fluid and not limit myself or my work.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I truly enjoy meeting new people, hearing what they think of the work when they see it and how they connect with it. My favorite is when younger kids ask questions and are taking my work in, I always wonder what their little minds think and what they see.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://artbyabiola.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbyabiola/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbyabiola/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/art-by-abiola/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/artbyabiola