Mmegi

MissArtsy finds comfort in vectorisation

Otukile 3
Otukile 3

Gofaone Otukile, also known by her artistic name, MissArtsy, describes herself as a passionate visual artist, constantly exploring her creativity through various mediums.

She specialises in visual arts, focusing primarily on painting and drawing. She told Arts&Culture that her preferred style is vectorisation, where she gets to breakdown an image in shapes and colours into transnational sections. She explained that her love and inspiration to be an artist come from within. She says it always gives her peace and she never struggles at it knowing she is going to ace it. “I have been drawing since I was a child, but I formally pursued art education in high school, where I took art classes that nurtured my skills. Shout out to my Art teacher, Bakwadi. He really did the most in teaching me art and making me who I am today. Art has always felt like home to me. It is who I am. While there are many viable career paths, I believe my purpose lies in creating and sharing art with others. It is not just a career for me; it is a means of connecting with people and contributing to a larger conversation about society, culture and identity,” she said. Furthermore, she pointed out that reactions to her art vary where some people resonate deeply with her work, finding meaning and comfort in it, while others may not connect as much. Speaking of one of her most memorable pieces, she said it was the one that she did during her Junior Certificate Examination (JCE) project. She explained that at the time, she was really under pressure doing it but she aced it and passed with an A.

She added that it was her first time being exposed to painting but she defied the odds. As an artist, MissArtsy said she faces challenges such as self-doubt, financial instability, and limited access to resources for showcasing her work. She added that balancing her artistic pursuits with everyday responsibilities could also be difficult. But she says she tries to navigate the challenges by staying motivated and resilient. Though she faces challenges, she boasts of a few achievements in her career saying she has just sold her very first art piece this month, which motivated her to work even harder. Speaking of her future plans, she said in the next few years, she hopes to expand her reach by exhibiting her art in larger galleries and possibly exploring international opportunities. She also stated that she aspires to delve into art education, sharing her knowledge and experience with aspiring artists in her community. Apart from being a fine art artist, she is also a make-up artist and aspiring nail technician. “My advice for aspiring artists is to stay true to themselves, embrace their unique style, and not be afraid to experiment. Consistency is key; keep creating, learning, and sharing your work. Remember that every artist has their journey, and it’s important to enjoy the process. "I believe that art has the power to provoke thought, challenge norms, and foster connection among people. "I am incredibly grateful for the role art plays in my life and my community. I look forward to contributing to the vibrant art scene in Botswana and continuing to share my journey through my work,” MissArtsy said.

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