We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Precious Folawe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Precious below.
Hi Precious, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Although I’ve always wanted to be an artist since childhood I was always drawing, crafting, and expressing myself visually the moment I knew I wanted to pursue art professionally came after my secondary school graduation.
Up until that point, art had been something I enjoyed, but I hadn’t fully explored its potential. After graduating, I found myself drawn more seriously into creative expression. I began learning, practicing consistently, and experimenting with different techniques and materials. That period of self-discovery and growth helped me realize that art wasn’t just a passion it was something I wanted to build a career around.
It was during those early days of exploration that I also became more aware of the role art could play in addressing issues like sustainability. That deeper sense of purpose motivated me to study Fine Art formally and keep evolving both creatively and professionally.
Precious, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Precious Folawe, a Contemporary Sustainable Artist, art supervisor, and community builder based in Lagos. From the moment I could hold a pencil, I was sketching on notebook margins, cereal boxes, and discarded packaging anything I could find. That childhood curiosity eventually became a philosophy: creativity thrives when we push materials beyond their intended use.
After graduating from secondary school, I made a conscious decision to take art seriously. I went on to study Fine Art at university, where I immersed myself in drawing, painting, and mixed-media techniques. Teaching for three years at nursery and primary levels honed my ability to communicate complex ideas in simple, engaging ways. Presently, I’m serving as the Art Supervisor at Splendour’s Art Republic, shaping creative installations and artworks from recycled plastic wastes.
I offer a range of sustainable art services. My studio practice focuses on mixed-media paintings and installations made from upcycled materials like aluminum cans, textile offcuts, plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills. I also take on custom commissions for clients who want art that reflects their values, whether a corporate sustainability initiative or a private collector’s unique vision. Beyond producing artworks, I am aspiring to lead workshops on eco-friendly art practices and provide consulting on creative vision development, helping brands and individuals craft visual identities rooted in purpose.
One of the biggest challenges I address is resource scarcity. Many artists and organizations struggle to source quality materials without breaking budgets or harming the environment. Through hands-on workshops and one-on-one consulting, I teach sustainable sourcing, material preparation, and innovative reuse techniques. My Art for Earth Creative Community is an open platform for creatives passionate about sustainability, tackles another common problem: creative isolation. With virtual meet-ups, collaborative projects, and resource sharing, our community of several creatives supports each other’s growth and amplifies our collective impact.
I’m proud of several milestones I’ve achieved: successful solo exhibitions that have drawn praise from local art councils for eco-innovation; a research proposal on “Innovative Reuse of Textile Wastes in Footwear and Accessories”; and a collaboration with Ecobiznyc to bring sustainable art projects to new audiences.
What I want you to know about me and my community is simple: every brushstroke and material choice is driven by a commitment to environmental stewardship. We believe in collaboration over competition and tailor my services to meet each client’s unique goals, whether that’s a bespoke artwork, an interactive workshop, or strategic mentorship. If you’re looking to transform waste into wonder, build a more sustainable creative practice, or connect with a network of like-minded artists, I’d love to partner with you to create something truly extraordinary.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Absolutely. At the heart of my creative journey is the mission to reimagine “waste” as a catalyst for beauty and awareness. By transforming discarded materials—be it drink cans, textile offcuts, or plastic scraps—into compelling artworks, I aim to challenge our throw-away culture and spark conversations about consumption, renewal, and the hidden potential in everyday objects.
Beyond the studio, my goal is to empower and unite a community of eco-minded creatives. Through Art for Earth Creative Community, and my workshops, I intend to provide artists with the tools, techniques, and network they need to adopt sustainable practices. I want each participant to leave not only with a finished piece, but with the confidence and resources to continue innovating responsibly in their own work.
Ultimately, I strive to bridge art and advocacy, showing that creativity can drive positive environmental impact. When clients display or commission my sustainable works, they’re not just beautifying a space they’re signaling a commitment to stewardship and inspiring others to rethink waste. That ripple effect where art becomes a vehicle for change is what keeps me passionately pushing my practice forward.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
One of the biggest challenges non-creatives often don’t see is that my “day job” the moments I’m sketching, sourcing materials, or braving the uncertainty of a blank canvas is only the tip of the iceberg. Beneath every finished piece lies hours (and sometimes days) of research, planning, failed experiments, and self-doubt. While it may look effortless on social media, the reality is that creativity demands an emotional investment: you have to be willing to expose parts of yourself, let go of perfectionism, and persist when the work just isn’t coming together.
Alongside that invisible labor comes a relentless cycle of iteration. When I pioneer a new technique say, weaving plastic film into a mosaic, there are dozens of prototypes that never make it past the studio floor. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had to dismantle and rebuild the same installation because the balance was off or the material reacted unexpectedly to light and humidity. This “trial and error” phase is where true innovation happens, but it can feel chaotic and unproductive to anyone who expects a straight line from idea to result.
Something else non-creatives rarely appreciate is the dual role we play as both artist and entrepreneur. Beyond crafting beautiful objects, I’m simultaneously a marketer, accountant, educator, networker, and sometimes even a carpenter when my upcycled sculptures need new frames. Juggling these hats requires an unusual blend of left- and right-brain thinking, plus a willingness to step way outside the “creative zone” to write proposals, negotiate contracts, manage social-media calendars, or troubleshoot a workshop’s logistics.
If there’s one piece of insight I’d offer, it’s this: creativity is as much about resilience and adaptability as it is about inspiration. The next time you see an artwork or attend an exhibit, remember there was a behind-the-scenes marathon of preparation, problem-solving, and perseverance that brought it into the world. Recognizing that journey not only deepens your appreciation for the final piece it may even inspire you to apply some of that same patience and persistence in your own endeavors.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @preciousfolawe
- Facebook: @Precious Folawe
- Linkedin: @Precious Folawe
- Twitter: @precious_folawe
