We were lucky to catch up with Dozie Oheri recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dozie, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

It was this year, after uprooting my life from Houston to Dallas, that I decided to pursue art professionally and put my all into it, to see how it would grow. Prior to becoming an artist, I was the Founder/CEO of a nonprofit in Houston, TX for seven years. This is actually my second time being published in CanvasRebel. The first time was years ago and focused on my work with the nonprofit and how we were impacting the community. And now, after a major career transition, I’m being published again but this time as an artist. I guess it’s a full circle moment… one I never saw coming, but one that feels divinely aligned.

I want to take you back to what led me to move to Dallas and make this career change. After growing up and living in Houston, my life literally blew up in 2024. My relationship with my partner ended, I moved out of my place without a new place to go, the turmoil with my family reached an all-time high, and I was completely burned out from running my nonprofit. All of this came to a head between January and May of 2024. Thankfully, I had friends who gave me a place to stay and figure out my next steps over the course of a few weeks.

At that point, I didn’t have a job, my relationship had ended badly, I was angry with my family, and I had no idea what was next. I was tired, tired of fighting, tired of holding it all together. I had hit rock bottom. I’ve always been spiritual, though not always consistent in practice. But in that moment, all I had was my faith to lean on. Looking back, I believe God was trying to send me a message that I hadn’t been able to receive because I was so wrapped up in the busyness of life. And I believe the chaos was a divine disruption, meant to get me to refocus on what really matters.

During that time, I felt a strong tug to move to Dallas. So I listened. I packed up everything I had left that could fit in my 2011 Toyota RAV4, downsizing both physically and metaphorically for the life transition I was about to make.
When I got to Dallas, I was fortunate to stay with my aunt, and I’m so grateful for that. But in true Dozie fashion, I hit the ground running, looking for jobs. It felt wrong to be idle, even though what I really needed was deep rest and reflection. I had just gone through a traumatic experience, watching my life implode right in front of me. So I defaulted to what I knew: I found a job and started working.

Soon after, the company laid off their entire Dallas division. That was a first for me. I’d never been fired, never laid off. It felt like another heartbreak. I felt useless, like I had nothing left to strive toward. But this time, I chose to be still. I chose to grow my relationship with God. I realized God had been trying to get me to pause, but I kept filling that space with busyness. So I finally listened. I stopped looking for work and focused on spending time reconnecting with God, not working, and looking for joy.

In the winter of 2024, I started drawing again, returning to a style I had been developing as a hobby since 2022. I was happy. I loved creating pieces that reflected who I am, bright, bold, and full of energy. One of my constant prayers had been asking God to help me find my purpose. And I believe I did. I looked at my art and thought, I could do this. I could make this a career. I already had entrepreneurial experience. I had a unique style. Why not give it a try?

In January 2025, I decided to take art seriously. I knew some of the risks, but I had nothing to lose. It was now or never. And I believe God is with me every step of the way. That’s what keeps me going, even when it gets hard.

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.

My name is Dozie Oheri, and I’m a Nigerian-American artist and creative entrepreneur currently building my art practice and brand, Dozie Oheri Art, from the ground up. I specialize in drawings inspired by African textile patterns and symbolism to create bright geometrical patterns. My work is heavily influenced by my Nigerian heritage and the spiritual journey that brought me back to myself.

Before stepping into the art world professionally, I spent seven years as the Founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization in Houston. I’ve always been community-minded and purpose-driven, and while my path shifted, my core intention stayed the same: to create impact, tell meaningful stories, and empower people, just now through a visual and cultural lens.

I got back into this craft as a form of healing. I started drawing during a season of personal upheaval, when everything in my life felt like it was falling apart. Creating became both a coping mechanism and a compass. It reminded me of who I am and helped me reimagine what was possible. What started as a hobby became my calling.

At Dozie Oheri Art, I offer original drawings for collectors and branded art collaborations. I’m also expanding into licensing and creative partnerships that allow my work to live in the world in new and unexpected ways. Whether someone is collecting art for their home, looking to collaborate on a campaign, or simply drawn to the cultural storytelling in my work, I want people to feel seen, connected, and energized through what I create.

What sets my work apart is the fusion of ancestral influence, spiritual depth, and contemporary expression. My pieces aren’t just “pretty” they carry meaning, memory, and movement. They celebrate identity, culture, and the resilience that comes with starting over. You’ll see hand-drawn gradients and geometrical patterns, and intentional repetition throughout my work.

What I’m most proud of is having the courage to rebuild my life around creativity. I didn’t take the traditional art school route. I didn’t wait for permission or validation. I said yes to the nudge, I bet on myself, and I’ve been showing up ever since.

If you’re new here, here’s what I want you to know: This brand is about more than just art. It’s about reclaiming joy, honoring roots, and creating something beautiful in the aftermath of chaos. It’s about making room for new beginnings. And whether you’re a collector, a collaborator, or a fellow creative on your own journey, I hope my work reminds you that starting over sometimes is necessary for you to find your way.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

After moving to Dallas and deciding to pursue life as an artist, I booked my very first public art project, a park bench collaboration with Cedar Ridge Preserve. The way it came about was pretty unexpected. I went hiking one day with a friend who lives in the DFW area. We were catching up, and after the hike, we stopped into the front office at the preserve. There was a staff member working, Sergio, and we struck up a conversation. Midway through, something told me to just go for it, so I asked if I could complete an art project at the park. I told him I’d volunteer my time in exchange for the opportunity and exposure. To my surprise, he was open to it. After confirming the approval, I was booked for my first public art project.

At the start of 2025, I set out to complete the Cedar Ridge Preserve project, and I was nervous. The project took five months. I had to work outside in every kind of weather, through changing seasons and constantly shifting environmental conditions… and so many critters. I had planned as much as I could, but everything about this was new. I typically work with colored pencils on paper, and here I was using paint for the first time, on a curved, uneven surface. But I showed up and figured it out each time I went out to paint.

Along the way, I met tons of hikers, built relationships with the Cedar Ridge Preserve team, and now I’m part of the park’s story (it’s currently the only bench painted in the whole park). They even helped me when my car broke down mid-project, that’s how supportive they’ve been to me.

This experience showed me that I’m someone who’s not afraid to go after what I want, even if I don’t have all the answers up front. It took faith, grit, and the ability to learn as I go. That’s resilience to me, not just bouncing back, but showing up for the unknown, saying yes to opportunity, and trusting myself to figure it out in real time.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

That I can’t, and shouldn’t, do this alone.

I had to unlearn the idea that I had to carry everything on my back to be successful. When I first started building my art business, I slipped into this mindset of “just figure it out, push through, do it yourself.” But the truth is, that’s not sustainable. And it’s not even how I’ve succeeded in the past.

Running my nonprofit taught me a lot about the power of support. That organization wouldn’t have lasted as long as it did without the help of so many people, our board of directors, a small but mighty staff of interns, dedicated volunteers, and community partners. It was a team effort. I wasn’t alone, and that’s what helped sustain the work for seven years.

So now, as I build Dozie Oheri Art, I’m taking that lesson with me early on. I’ve made it a priority to think about building a team from the beginning. I want to collaborate, to delegate, and to be in a creative community with people who believe in the vision. I had to unlearn the myth of solo success and remember that support is not just helpful, it’s vital.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dozieoheriart.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dozieoheri
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dozieoheri/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dozie-oheri/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC67EzX4BOu2z4ep65rv12bQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dozieoheri