We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Modupe Alatise Odusote a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Modupe, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

I started exploring painting during the 2020 pandemic. I am not trained, no art classes (except a few YouTube videos) and my last formal art instruction was at age 13 – I’m in my late 40s now. I bought a bunch of canvases and practiced landscapes and portraitures. Soon they began piling high in my dining room, where I took my zoom work calls. A colleague saw my paintings behind me during a zoom meeting and she asked to buy some. I thought she was crazy and I said “no, I don’t sell, I’m just messing around”. Then I realized I was crazy for saying no. I sent her a few images of what I had. And she did bought five. I was in awe that someone paid for my paintings and it was an amazing feeling wrapping up her artworks for shipping. I love her so much for validating my works and making me start this journey. I’m still going..

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 back background and context?

I am a self-taught figurative artist and began my Art practice in 2020 during the global pandemic I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria and have now been in the US for 15 years, my works are influenced by my life experiences in Nigeria, United States, and South Africa.

I describe my expressions as contemporary African art. My works tell stories through figurative paintings and mixed-media expressions on canvas or wood, using acrylics, ink, print and African fabric.

My works use bold images and colors, a heavy influence from my Nigerian heritage and my Yoruba culture which is vibrant and outwardly expressive. As an artist, i aim for my works to speak authenticity, provide reflection and provoke thought and empathy for oneself and for others

My cultural affiliations and influences are multi-dimensional as an African Yoruba woman living in the United States, a corporate professional in human sciences and as a mother of two young kids. I like to document relationships, joy, pain, vulnerability, hope, love and resilience. I also express the struggle of self-identify and I intentionally work to show representation in my images, in order to create appreciation for differences.

My art tends to be emotional and conveys reflection, honesty and an aspiration for true human connection. Through my works, I hope to inspire self-love or an understanding for others.
I practice Art as my true heart, my therapy and calling.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Most rewarding for me is the process of creating. I get completely wrapped when I am creating a piece. I get to ignore the noise, the stress, the voices and negative back-talk. I take my inner energy, whether it’s restless, peaceful, troubled or excited, and I process it into an artistic expression. It is truly a blessing to be gifted in transferring energy into a compelling work of art.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I am emerging in my creative journey and so I imagine that my goal or mission would likely evolve. That said, a big focus for me in my expressions is healing and positive affirmation. It is most rewarding when I see my art having that kind of impact.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artbydupe.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/artbydupe_modupeodusote
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/modupeoo
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/modupe-alatise-odusote
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
Modupe Alatise Odusote