We recently connected with Lola Ojo and have shared our conversation below.

Lola, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am a self-taught artist. I don’t mind working and collaborating with other artists, however, I work best when I am alone. I get a lot of work done when I have time to myself.

Lola, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always seen myself as multifaceted and self-sufficient since I was a child. I found creative outlets to keep myself occupied whether it was playing video games that required using both sides of my brain or painting whatever came to mind while my art tutor sang opera and classical music. From me developing through imagination and creativity as a child, it has helped me become more confident in the Art and Beauty industry to where it has helped me start my own businesses. I provide services from creating and selling Abstract Art, Fine Jewelry, and Holistic Natural Hair services mainly focusing on Locs. With my Art and Jewelry, I help my clients to bring forth their imagination into the physical world. With my Natural Hair Services, I help my clients maintain healthy and lustrous hair by being attentive to what their scalp needs. I have helped my clients regain any confidence they once had and being more comfortable with wearing their natural hair. I am proud of the relationships I have gained with all my clients since I have been in the Art and Beauty industry. I cherish the love and support I have received since I started my business in 2015. I took a risk to leave my family and friends behind to start a new life by moving to Texas. I have worked really hard to create my brand while also trying to figure myself out. That’s a part of the game; one has to be willing to take risks in order to get to where you want to be.

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

My goal from the beginning of my creative journey is to be able to set myself free from a corporate job and be there for my family whenever they need me. I did not want to keep living paycheck to paycheck or having to ask permission to visit my family or just simply have a day to emotionally decompress. I always knew I was destined to live a stress free and peaceful life especially since I had a very rough and unstable childhood.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

When I get asked a question similar to this, my favorite books and movie I like to recommend are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Dream Alchemy by Ted Andrew, Behold a Pale Horse by William Cooper, and a film by Alexandro Jodorowsky called The Holy Mountain. These books and film have all helped me shapeshift my way of thinking to transform my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: artbysteelo.net
• Instagram: @artby_steelo & @lothealchemist
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/artbysteelo
• Youtube: youtube.com/@lothealchemist
• Other: lothealchemist.booksy.com www.facebook.com/lothealchemist