A-ARTs: How 'self-reflection' inspired Olusola's 'First Insight'

'Our Daily Bread - series' (watercolour, 56in X 73in, dated 2024) by Oluwamuyiwa Olusola.

AFTER experimenting with quite a number of medium without satisfaction, Olumuyiwa Afolabi Olusola fell in love with watercolour. Despite its slippery nature, watercolour, according to the artist, offered the delicate balance between control and freedom.

Olusola expanded his love for watercolour in his solo art exhibition titled First Insight, which opened on October 5, ending 11, 2024, at Gemini Art Gallery, Onikan, Lagos. Among the paintings for the exhibition are The Journey The light at the end of the Tunnel (Watercolour, 22in X 15in, dated 2022); Time -1: Ìgbà yí...The light at the end of the Tunnel (Watercolour 29cm X 42cm, dated 2024); and Meeting Point (watercolour, 14in X 23in, dated 2023)."

The artist stated that the origin point for the essence of his work in watercolor painting can be traced back to a moment of creative realization when he discovered the unique qualities and challenges that watercolor offers as a medium Olusola disclosed his journey into watercolour: "Unlike oil or acrylics, where you can continuously manipulate the paint on the canvas, watercolor forces you to surrender to its fluidity and embrace the unpredictability of the process." He however said it became both a challenge and an invitation to explore the beauty of spontaneity, which soon grew into a deep passion and commitment to the medium.

Excerpts from Olusola's Artist Statement:

"My decision to specialize in watercolor painting emerged gradually but became solidified during a period of artistic self-reflection. I had experimented with various mediums, from charcoal to oils, but none seemed to offer the delicate balance between control and freedom that I sought in my work. Watercolor, with its transparent layers, subtle blending, and capacity for creating light-filled compositions, aligned perfectly with my vision of capturing the nuances of life and nature.

"What intrigued me most about watercolor was the sense of immediacy it offers. Each brushstroke feels alive there’s no going back or covering up, only adapting to what unfolds on the paper. This quality mirrors life itself: fleeting, unpredictable, and rich in emotion. This immediacy also encouraged me to focus on the present moment, a mindset that reflects not only in my creative process but also in the themes I explore—capturing the beauty of impermanence, light, and the quiet yet powerful moments that often go unnoticed.

"Another significant reason why I chose watercolor as my primary medium is its versatility in expressing both precision and abstraction. The way pigments can flow and blend with water allows for vast landscapes of emotion to be expressed in just a few strokes. There is a natural rhythm to it, a harmony between water and color that echoes the organic patterns of nature. It’s this connection to nature that deeply inspires my work, where elements like water, wind, and light become as much a part of the painting as the brush itself.

"Choosing watercolor also speaks to my desire for artistic simplicity. While it’s one of the most technically challenging mediums, it is also pure. You’re working with the bare essentials—water, pigment, and paper but within that simplicity lies endless possibility. It demands precision, patience, and a willingness to let go, which has allowed me to grow not only as an artist but also on a personal level.

"In many ways, watercolor painting became an extension of who I am—a form of artistic meditation, where every painting feels like a new journey into the unknown. It is through watercolor that I’ve found my voice, expressing the layers of emotion, reflection, and natural beauty that define my work. Ultimately, my choice to specialize in watercolor reflects my ongoing desire to capture the world in a way that feels both intimate and expansive, allowing my art to evolve with every drop of color that touches the paper."