We were lucky to catch up with Wina Ephraim Mboka (rahmi) recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Wina Ephraim, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Unlike what people think,art is not just a silly hobby we engage in as kids to pass time,to keep us from being idle or annoying to serious adults,its more than just the sketches we make,art is the essence of life itself.I have always had artistic interests for as long as i remember,i have always loved the creative world and as a child i spent most of my time either doodling, writing stories or coming up with fantastical worlds and characters all in my head,in short day dreaming.Fortunately or unfortunately i suffered from a serious case of stuttering which really limited my expressions and interactions with people,i could barely even say my own name and it was a horror when in language class i was asked to read out a passage out loud.The more detached i grew from people is the more i grew into my creativity,for me art was now the only way i could truly and confidently express myself and so from a very young age i knew that i want to be an Artist even though i had an idea what that even looks like.Growing up in the early 2000’s i didn’t know a lot of artists leave alone successful ones and the media didn’t help because artists were always portrayed as this messy,disillusioned,poor ,promiscuous and addicted people in short ,failures.Art saved me,quite literally,it is through art that i eventually overcame my stuttering ,cause I’ve always loved reading and somehow i convinced myself that i have a beautiful reading voice and after lots of practice it got better and better.

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 an artist dedicated to capturing the world through my unique lens. My journey into the art world began at a young age, when I discovered that painting and drawing were not just hobbies for me, but a true passion. I was captivated by how colors could evoke emotions and tell stories without a single word. This fascination led me to pursue a formal education in fine arts, where I honed my skills and developed my distinctive style.

As an artist, I specialize in acrylics,oils,graphite,charcoal and even graphic design. My work often explores themes of Identity,self expression through personal experiences (story telling) and commentary on social affairs, inviting viewers to connect with the deeper meanings behind each piece. I strive to create artworks that not only please the eye but also provoke thought and inspire conversation.

My works are not just commercial products looking to be disposed of for a profit,it is a story,a journey into the spiritual where the viewer stands face to face with God and thus themselves,if my work doesn’t make you introspect and have deep questions then im not doing my job right.Each piece is a piece of my self,a part of my essence and my being so owning one would indeed be significant.

I believe that art has the power to heal and uplift. Many of my clients come to me looking for a way to express emotions or commemorate significant moments in their lives. By creating personalized pieces that resonate with their experiences, I help them find solace and joy in the art they choose to surround themselves with.

What sets me apart is my commitment to understanding my clients’ visions deeply. I take the time to listen and collaborate, ensuring that the final piece reflects their desires and emotions. This personalized approach not only creates unique artworks but also fosters a meaningful connection between me and my clients.

One of my proudest achievements is creating an art career in a new country from nothing,many people told me its not practical and real but i kept applying myself and putting my work out there,that lead me to being in several art shows and exhibitions where i sold some of my works and made important connections in the our local art scene of Denver. It reaffirmed my belief in the impact of art and my ability to contribute to the community. Additionally, I take great pride in my ongoing creative hangouts, where I share space and make art with aspiring artists.,established artists and generally anyone interested in art and community,i call it “Sketch Party” because it is a celebration of creativity,every month is a special experience as curate and create a special experience . Its still an ethereal feeling seeing an idea move from your head to reality,and it was even better when i shared it with a fellow artist (Artist Tlalli) and she not only understood the concept but she was also open to collaborating,so far we have done two hangouts already and we are looking to grow even more in future editions

#### What You Should Know

I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that my art is more than just a product; it’s a manifestation of passion, connection, and storytelling. Each piece carries a piece of my heart, and I am committed to creating art that resonates with others. I invite you to explore my work and join me on this artistic journey. Together, we can create something truly special.

T
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Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My whole creative journey has been nothing but a miracle,an “against the odds” story. I’m from a family of Immigrants from the Democratic Republic of Congo,ive had to deal with that all my life especially growing up in a foreign country .I never really felt like i fit in all my life,because now i realize that i was never meant to fit in in the first place,i have always been an in between person,born on the 16th day of June on a Wednesday and interestingly i am the middle-child in our family. Coming out of art school and realizing that i didn’t really get what i was looking for,i vowed to create my own art path.Nairobi is a very culturally diverse city with a bustling art scene full of so many established artists and sometimes it can be hard for a young artist to make it unless,they are “discovered” by some hotshot in the art industry and chances of that are low,ever since the beginning i knew that no one is coming to save me,that my career is in my hands and my hands alone,realizing that i have the power to curate art experiences for myself was the most liberating thing ever.Its a common site all around Nairobi and Kenya to see art being peddled in the streets,sometimes for high prices and other times for low throw away prices to be used as home decor.I have always detested the idea of art being a dispensable thing that people don’t really need.I hate seeing artists being taken advantage of by art buyers when they sell their work for throw away prices cause they don’t have any other option.i have been there too and i have learnt.Moving from Kenya to the US was definitely a challenge in every aspect,moving from a culture and people that you know and love to a completely new and alien environment was definitely a challenge but i refused to let that limit me.I remember that whenever i was asked what i wanted to be ,i said i want to be an artist even though again like earlier in my life i didn’t know what that looked like.I didn’t know anyone or any place that could help me get started .After months of trial and error and help from sympathetic friends i managed to visit a few art spaces in Denver and that really inspired me to start painting again and thus get into my first group exhibition at RemainReal Gallery in Denver and that was the first of many.
As an artist,i am a dreamer,which means i spend most of my time in my head,visualizing and creating concepts from scratch.At first people look at you like you are crazy but soon they realize you may actually be onto something.I have had to manifest whole events all from nothing more than once,seeing something in your mind and believing beyond belief that this thing will come true is definitely a sacred thing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

I wish i knew about the importance of community in an artist’s career and personal life.Community really grounds you and holds you down,reminds you that you are not really alone and that there is a “great cloud of witnesses” cheering you on.I also wish art schools would teach artists more practical skills like how to market your work,approach galleries and monetizing your craft,I can tell you for a fact that many artists have had to learn these skills the hard way and many are still out here clueless cause there’s no one really to teach you these things.
Its also really important to learn how to sell yourself cause most of the times people not only buy your work they also “buy” your personality and how you made them feel.To know that you are the only one really who can put out your work the way you want it to be seen,but one word for all creatives out there NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK,go out to openings,exhibitions,festivals talk to people and show genuine interest in what they are doing coz you never know who you’ll meet

Contact Info:

• Instagram: rahmi_creations
• Facebook: Ephraim Mboka
• Other: Tiktok: 23_Rahmi

Image Credits

Image 1: Rahmi’s first ever painting in a US exhibition,”Subira huvuta heri ” (Patience brings relief) Acrylics on canvas 11 by 14 cm

Image 2: “A lazy afternoon” Acrylics on canvas 40 by 50 cm

Image 3: Creatives sketching away at the first ever edition of the Sketch Party in August,”Sketch Party” is a social ,third space event by Rahmi and Tlalli that happens every month that brings artists of all levels together to create,interact and hold space in a safe neutral environment..

Image 4:Second edition of the Sketch Party in September,this event seeks to grow and provide fresh creative alternatives to an already thriving art scene in Denver