Meet Damilola Olusegun

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Damilola Olusegun. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Damilola, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from experiences that have fueled my desire to constantly improve my skills and stay consistent while making a positive impact. These experiences have taught me the value of discipline and dedication in everything I do.

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’m Damilola Olusegun Joy, a visual artist from Nigeria. I discovered my love for art during my teenage years, encouraged by my late father, who always believed in my creativity. After his passing in 2016, I made a personal commitment to pursue art as a tribute to him. By 2018, I organized my first self-funded exhibition at my school, with support from family and friends. The success of that event confirmed that art was more than just a passion for me, it was my purpose.
I developed my skills through online learning and drew inspiration from some artists along the line. My work often explores portraits and nature-inspired themes, using charcoal and acrylic to balance softness and vibrancy. Nature and flowers are a central motif in my art because they represent hope, resilience, and renewal, it’s what I like to describe as a “floral hug for the soul.”
Through my art, I aim to create emotional connections and spark conversations around important topics like mental health and social awareness, while also celebrating the beauty of nature and the strength of the human spirit. My goal is for each piece to remind people that beauty and meaningful change can exist side by side.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First is consistency, it helped me grow my skill even when things felt slow. I learned that showing up every day either to practice, sketch, or just simply observe makes all the difference over time. Another is my curiosity to learn, at the start of my journey as a visual artist, I relied on online resources, tutorials, and studying other artists’ works. Staying curious pushed me to keep experimenting and improving rather than staying in one comfort zone. And lastly is how my personal experiences have been channeled into my work. I’ve learned to express those feelings visually which has helped me connect more deeply with people.

My advice for anyone starting out is to be patient with your growth and be consistent, stay connected to why you create, and let that purpose drive you.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was believing in my creativity and nurturing it from an early age. My father noticed my love for art when I was younger and always encouraged me, reminding me to stay dedicated to what I love. That belief gave me the confidence to keep going.
After his passing, my mother became my biggest cheerleader. She has supported me through every step of my journey, especially during my first solo exhibition, and has constantly reminded me of the value of my work. Their love and support have shaped not just my career, but the person I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Tobiloba Olusegun (Jerry)

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