We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Timi Olaloye. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Timi below.

Timi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The first time I created a piece of art was in 2016. Creating art was something I did when I was younger but until then, I never knew how rewarding it would be to create something with my hands. After I created the painting, a friend of mine asked me how much I was selling it for. I sold it to him for $60 and from that moment on, I knew I had something, but I just wasn’t sure how to get there. However, I knew i had to improve my skill so that creating art could be something I could make part of my life forever.

Timi, 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 was originally born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1994. Since I was young, my father pushed my siblings and I to be the best at everything we did. I started off teaching myself how to play the piano from a very young age. From the time I came to America at age 6, I played the piano at church and continued to teach myself how to play. From music, my passion for art developed and led me to creating my first painting in 2016. After that, I painted for a year or so and then transitioned to what I do now, which is pencil drawing. I focus mostly on portraits and have done drawings of celebrities, friends, and family members, all of which have been sold. Most recently, I finished and sold the biggest drawing I’ve ever done which was a 40inx60in drawing of the late great Fela Kuti. It took about 4 months to complete and ship, which is the longest time i’ve spent on one single project. My work with pencil has taught me patience and the importance of perfecting your craft, especially when you are planning to profit from it. I always believe that your work should speak for itself, and I believe that so far in my career I have been privileged to create art that speaks for itself.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing I think non-creatives struggle to understand about the journey of creatives is that it does not always “work out” or “pay off” how we think. In many other career paths or disciplines, the path to success is most times very linear. You get an education, start working, and climb through the working structure. With art, there is no real structure to climb and no set path to follow which makes it hard to come to terms with what success looks like. Many artists never reach their pinnacle of “success” because of the reality of finances and expectation. However, the journey is where the lessons and the fulfillment lie. The journey is what makes the “success” worth it. The journey looks different for everyone professionally, and for creatives to thrive in their journey, support is the best currency they can ask for.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the reactions I receive to the work that I do. I’ve had the privilege of creating artwork for different people across the country, from Denver to Connecticut. One thing that makes it worthwhilie for me is what they say when they see their artwork in person. Knowing that I created something that will be on display in someone else’s home or space is ultimately the greatest feeling.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: topnotchtim_
• Facebook: Timi Olaloye
• Linkedin: Timi Olaloye
• Twitter: _topnotchtim
• Soundcloud: topnotchtim

Image Credits

Nathaniel Rosario