Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Okpare. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Michelle, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
Self-discipline, for me, is cultivated through persistence, hard work, motivation, and taking consistent action despite external distractions. I work from home.
Initially, it was challenging to adapt to working from my home space. But I had to push myself so hard, it required self motivation. When you have a goal or a vision, you will need to build yourself and discipline yourself to achieve that goal. Each morning, I reinforce my commitment to work, understanding that personal development and continuous learning are invaluable assets. I tell myself “wake up! you have to work”. I created a dedicated space, my “home studio,” differentiating work and personal areas. Establishing principles and communicating the importance of my workspace to my siblings facilitated focus. If you do not value yourself first, you will not value what you can offer or even your work and if you do not value that others will not value you. You can not offer what you do not have so build yourself, knowledge is never too much.
Seeking positivity is crucial for me; it influences how I work, communicate my thoughts, and how my audience perceives me.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a visual artist. I draw inspiration from my personal experiences with people and, how one responds psychologically to happenings. My works are a documentation of life, complexity, and emotions exploring culture, mental health, personal and societal identity, and issues surrounding gender in African contemporary society.
I am an expressionist artist working predominantly using materials attached to her childhood experience in Ivory Coast to create richly textured and colorful works. I explore the elements of art on paintings, sculptures and somehow textile using materials readily available to me thereby contributing to recycling waste “turning trash into luxury”. My practice is a unique combination of imagination and reality which aims to build cogent visual imagery which encompasses the contemporary African women experiences. I use crepe paper, acrylic paint, and recycled/discarded lace fabrics appliqué to create highly stylized scenes that unpack the unrealistic beauty standards placed on women. The crepe paper is folded into floral, or petal motifs inspired by her upbringing in Ivory Coast where I first experimented with these materials. I draw from her strife to create these works and uses her practice as a form of therapy.
I have participated in several exhibitions around the world including Reversed Safari at the Manege Museum, Russia, 2023, The Hero She Needs with UNICEF Next Gen, USA, 2022, Real Life Is Fragile, USA, 2021, Unusual Suspects, Nigeria, 2021, The human experience, South Africa, 2020, etc. My works have been featured on Sunday Times South Africa, Vanity Fair Italia, Shoutout Los Angeles, Times Live South Africa, and Airmail News USA. I was documented on Google Arts and culture and awarded by the University of Florida Art In Medicine Project done in Nigeria.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the skills, qualities and areas of knowledge that were most impactful to my journey are kindness, craft making, creativity, self motivation, persistency, respect etc. I was able to recognize my self worth.
My advice to folks who are early in their journey, you can best develop yourself by learning from someone and then finding your own voice. You are not the first to go through this path, so there is definitely a way for you to succeed. Discover what suits you, and consistency is vital.
Recognizing your self-worth is crucial; valuing oneself precedes offering value to others.
It is life, everyone has their race, never compare yourself with anyone but keep doing your thing and be true to yourself. It may take time for you to succeed even years but the wait is definitely worthwhile. Remember it is a life passionate journey. You need to first love what you do and see it as special for others to appreciate it because you are putting yourself in this, you keep giving a part of yourself.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Taking walks while listening to soulful music and sharing thoughts with a trusted person are valuable outlets. I feel we need each other and we can find a trusted person to share our emotions with. Opening up is crucial; bottling up emotions can weigh you down. Understand your personality, identify what brings calmness, and prioritize those practices in your routine.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelle_okpare/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/okpare.michelle/
- Linkedin: https://ng.linkedin.com/in/michelle-okpare-42854b1b4
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelle_okpare
Image Credits
Michelle Okpare Adegbola Scotty Adetayo
