We were lucky to catch up with Samson Adetunji recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Samson, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

My journey as a professional artist began to take shape in 2022, during my fine arts studies in Adeyemi federal university of education, Nigeria. Before then, art was more of a hobby – I’d draw, appreciate, and occasionally share my work online. But everything changed when I met some experienced artists who took me under their wing. The likes of Victor Olaoye, Olatoye David and Rotimi Godwin were instrumental in opening my eyes to the world of professional art. They shared their knowledge, and I was eager to learn. Thanks to them, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the art world. Now, I’m committed to pursuing my passion and making a name for myself as a professional artist.

Samson, 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?

My name is Samson Adetunji, I was born in 2001 in the soulful lands of Osun State, Nigeria, I’m a luminous young artist whose work pulses with emotion and quiet power. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University AFUED Ondo,Nigeria, where I earned my degree in Fine and Applied Arts, i weaves together acrylic, oil, and charcoal with a tenderness that speaks directly to the heart.

 My creations, often inhabited by human figures and gentle animals, are delicate meditations on compassion, empathy, and the shared language of feeling. Each canvas becomes a love letter to the human condition — a space where vulnerability meets strength, and silence finds its voice.

My approach is intimate and intuitive; every brushstroke a quiet rebellion against the ordinary, every detail a whispered invitation to see the world anew. I paint not just to portray, but to understand — to uncover hidden truths and to bring beauty where it is most needed.

With a soul attuned to the poetry of life, I continue to carve his path in the art world, guided by the belief that through art, we can feel more deeply, love more openly, and connect more truly.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Back in college, life was a constant juggling act. I was managing school projects, assignments, and personal art projects all at once. The little money I had for my basic needs often ended up being spent on art materials, because creating meant everything to me. There were moments when I seriously thought about dropping out, just so I could fully commit to being an artist. The pressure was intense, and the future looked uncertain. But I kept going. I didn’t quit. Even when things got really hard, I chose to show up for myself, for my dreams.

My parents didn’t see art as a viable career. They wanted stability for me, something safer. But I was determined to prove that this path could work that I could build a life doing what I love. And while their doubts haven’t completely disappeared, things have changed. Now that I’m earning real income from my art, they’re beginning to see it too.

I won’t pretend it’s easy. Some days I make sales, some days I don’t. There are still broke days. But I’m making progress, and I’m proud of that. Every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory.

What keeps me going is the joy. The joy of creating, of expressing something real. It’s the joy of living on my own terms. I know things aren’t exactly where I want them yet but they’re moving in the right direction, and I’m growing stronger every day.

Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I didn’t just survive, I stayed true to myself. I carved out a space for my passion in a world that often tells you to play it safe. And if tomorrow never comes, I’ll still leave knowing I lived with purpose. I chased what I loved. And that, to me, is the real definition of success.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the first and most important lessons I’ve learned as an artist is this: art is not a competition, and it shouldn’t feel like one. But that understanding didn’t come overnight.

Back in high school, I genuinely believed I was the best at drawing. I took pride in my skills and enjoyed the attention that came with being “the artist” in class. Then one day, a new student joined us, he was incredibly talented, maybe even more skilled than I was at the time. Suddenly, I wasn’t the center of attention anymore. I started to feel jealous and insecure. It was hard to accept that someone else could do what I thought only I could do best.

But something shifted in me. I realized that being jealous wasn’t helping me grow—it was only making me bitter. So I made a choice: instead of seeing him as competition, I approached him as a potential teacher. We became friends, and he started teaching me things I didn’t know before. That decision changed my entire perspective. After high school, I even spent a year apprenticing under him before heading off to college. That time helped me grow not just as an artist, but as a person.

Another important lesson came later on, when I was trying so hard to make a living from my art. There was a period where I was constantly hoping, praying, even, that someone would just buy one piece. I needed the validation. I needed the income. But the more desperate I became, the more frustrated and discouraged I felt. I started questioning whether art was really meant for me.

That’s when a senior colleague said something I’ll never forget: “What’s meant for you will come to you at the right time.” It hit me deeply. I was so busy trying to force things to happen that I forgot how much of this journey is about patience, growth, and timing.

Looking back, I’m grateful for those moments. They taught me that success in art or in life isn’t about being better than anyone else. It’s about staying open, being humble enough to learn, and trusting the process. I’ve learned to celebrate other artists, to appreciate where I am in my own journey, and to believe that what’s truly mine will never miss me. The path isn’t always easy, but I now know it’s mine, and I walk it with purpose.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samson_adetunjii?igsh=MWx5NjdkbGc3cDAyeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.artsy.net/artist/samson-adetunji

Image Credits

All image taken by the artist, Samson Adetunji