Meet Nigeria's Talented Hyper Realistic Pencil Artistic

Martins Lawrence Akande, (L) says the image of the little girl (R) is “my all time favourite”. Photo credit: Akande

This is Africa recently featured the artwork of one of Nigeria’s most talented hyper realistic artists, Martins Lawrence Akande. Akande’s remarkable realistic pencil drawings continue to draw immense praise. In an exclusive interview with TiA, we find out more about the artist, and trace the journey he has traversed in his career.

Martins Lawrence Akande (teenezmartinez) is a passionate and refined artist with a natural talent in portraiture who doubles up as an accountant. Born in northern Nigeria, in Maiduguri, Akande has developed into one of the finest hyper realistic artists in Nigeria.
Currently based in Abuja, Akande’s artwork has been described as amazing, breath-taking, and beautiful, amongst other positive reviews.
It was a pleasure to catch up with Akande to find about his background and artwork.
TiA: How and when did you get into art, how did it all start?

Martins Lawrence Akande (MLA): I got into Art as far back when I was little, about 7 years old at the time. I’ve always loved to sketch or make comic drawings. Now taking me back to memory lane. I remember I was sitting in the classroom in my junior year when a friend showed me a comic book, which he made. He drew all the characters, I liked it and I thought to myself I could do same, I got home picked up a Mickey Mouse magazine, which I had and started sketching the characters in there. It was my favourite at the time.
Were you always into art? How long have you been drawing?
MLA: I’ve always loved Art but took it more seriously after I graduated from the University. I have been drawing like forever and I have always been an Artist.
I found out that you are also an Accountant, where did you study?
MLA: Yes I am an Accountant, I studied Accounting in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna Nigeria.
Where has your work been featured?
MLA: I’ve had the opportunity to have my works featured in Oxford (2014 and 2015), Art In America (The world most comprehensive Art reference print publication in existence) 2015 Edition, Spectrum Miami during Art Basel 2015, Art Expo New York 2015, World Art Dubai 2015,  Architectural Digest Design Show 2015 New York, and Art UpClose.
How was that experience for you?
MLA: It’s an amazing experience and I’m honoured to have such features and level of exposure in the Art world.

How would you describe your style?
MLA: In a simple word, it’s a hyperrealistic Charcoal Portraits.
Why did you choose this particular form/style of art?
MLA: I have always loved charcoal as a medium because of its natural feel, this is the major reason why I chose this style or form of Art.
How long does it normally take you to draw and finish working on a drawing?
MLA: Depending on the project I am working on, a portrait could take minimum of 100 hours or more. Some could go for weeks or even months before completion.
Where do get your inspiration and how do you decide on what to draw?
MLA: I find inspiration in anything beautiful and natural, it gets my imagination working. I decide on what to draw when I connect with a particular subject I.e. when not working on a commissioned project.

There is a lot more attention being paid to African and African inspired art across the globe. How has your work been received locally (in Nigeria) and across Africa?
MLA: That is absolutely correct, a lot more attention is being paid to African and African Inspired Art across the globe. As we know in Nigeria and across Africa we are still in the early stages and at the same time I must say it has been well received.
What are some of the challenges you have faced doing your work?
MLA: The most challenge will be irregular scheduling and secondly is building a reputation while keeping up with clients demands.
What are you currently working on and what can we expect from you in the near future?
MLA: I am currently working on commissioned projects and a New Session for a One on One meeting with Artists who are still in their early stages in their journey to help solve areas of difficulties while pursuing the artistic dreams or careers. In the near future I will be holding series of Art events, Solo shows and more hopefully. One at a time.

All That Excitement Just BEFORE Graduation

1. That moment when you were leaving the exam hall after the last paper.

Finally.

2. The day you finally get to defend your project and submit.

Special thanks to Google and Wikipedia.

3. Then you start to wonder about all the things you want to do with your life.

*singing* “Whatever will be will be”*

4. But first,

Turn down for what?

5. The morning when you wake up and you have absolutely nothing to do.

6. Then it dawns on you that you will never have student discounts, ever again.

No more cheap cinema tickets.

7. Trying to form “ready for the future” and write out your plans, but you just keep getting distracted.

What is this please?

8. When you see the lecturer that said you’d never make it to final year.

Enemies.

9. Looking at all your classmates and knowing you might never see some of them again.

I’m not going to cry.

10. Trying to decide which of their numbers to keep and which to delete from your phone.

Who wee epp me and who won’t?

11. That one person in your class you were rushing to go and collect their number only to find out they’ve gone home.

Just why?

12. Looking at 100-level students roaming around and wanting to advise them about life.

Be a good boy and don’t join bad gang.

13. Then out of the blue, you just remember you still have to wait for your results, and pass too.

Hay God.

14. Because if you fail one course…

Back to sender!

15. When people ask you about your plans after school, besides NYSC of course.

Who you epp?

16. And graduation…

Its nor beans.

17. And the next time you attend a family gathering.

Graduate! Graduate of the house! You have entered labour force now.

Things we remember from Muhammed Ali's visit to Nigeria.

Muhammad Ali is undoubtedly the greatest sportsman that ever lived.

His victories in the ring made him a champion.

But it was in fact his victories outside the ring that made him the greatest.

From being the only lineal three-time World Heavyweight Champion in the ring,

To being a force in the civil rights movement.

UNITED STATES – MARCH 02: Cassius Marcellus Clay (Muhammad Ali) with Black Muslim leader Malcolm X at 125th St. and Seventh Ave. (Photo by John Peodincuk/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)

Whether it was his anti-war stance, or his embodiment of black power, Ali was the knock-every-obstacle-out guy.

In a tour of Africa and the Middle East, Ali made an iconic stop in Lagos, Nigeria in 1964.

He was received by ecstatic Nigerian fans who lined the streets from the airport and was hosted by the governor of Lagos State.

Ali with Mobolaji Johnson, the Governor of Lagos

And of course, he met some of our pinging baby girls at the time.

He headed to Ibadan and the attention was no less either.

Muhammad Ali was first hospitalised on June 2nd, 2016 for a respiratory condition. While his condition was described as fair, his condition escalated on the 3rd and he was placed on life support.

Yesterday, he was pronounced dead on June 3, at the age of 74.

Watch this video of his meeting with General Yakubu Gowon, in 1964.

STYLE MISHAPS. Read and Learn from this Ladies.

Caroline 

Went out with a guy, and two of the straps on one of my heels snapped off. I had to take of my shoes and walk bare feet to my cab, at the end of the night.

Modupeola 

I’m a double d cup, and the strap of my bra popped once, when I went out. It wasn’t the greatest bra and I had to use my arms to prop up the fallen boob through out the day.

Feyikemi

I wore a skater skirt to go visit my brother at St.Gregory’s- it’s an all boys boarding school. My skirt got blown all the way up, apart from the fact that that was inappropriate for a group of teenage boys to see, my underwear was inappropriate for any one at all to see. I got snickers and side eyes from kids and parents the whole day.

Chinwe 

Wore an all white outfit to go see a friend, I got splashed with muddy water by a car and had to come home like that. I could feel every passerby looking at me like oni doti.

Ralunna 

I went for an interview in a too tight skirt I convinced myself was ‘smart,’ then I got a small rip underneath the zip that kept getting bigger as I waited for my turn. Walking into the interview was no problem, but I tried to back out of the room instead of turning to leave, I ended up tripping and falling.

Chidinma 

I wore a strapless dress to a party without a bra, had a little too much to drink and ended up flashing everyone at the party.

These Guys Share Their Life Experiences. Read on.

The gas was on and I was playing with matches… I can’t remember the level of beating I got. Another time, I left the window open and rain entered my daddy’s room. It didn’t end well that night. – Hammed

When I was about 5 or so, I remember my mum giving me everything I asked for. So one day, while she was at her shop, I asked for 20 naira because I wanted to go buy sweets of course. She refused to give me, but there she was counting money and saying she’d didn’t have. So while she stepped out, I sneaked and took 20 naira from where she kept. Mehn, the beating that day was not very funny. – Sam

One day I was supposed to be in class at school but I thought it was a great idea to go play ball instead. My parents and teachers gave me a memorable beating, clearly the reason you know this now. I was that stubborn child. – Dotun

Ah. It had to be shopping at Kingsway. Then dining at Ogun state hotel and watching my dad swim after. Sounds normal but it’s one of those things that were special to me because it happened only once in while. – Deola

I have none. I blocked them all out. – Ife

 

Mehn. The friends I grew up with. The banter we had. The games we played. The adventures and secrets we shared. We were little rascals. We staged plays for our parents. We stole from stores just for the thrill. It was wild. – Eki

I enjoyed driving with my dad. Especially the way he’d make me feel like I was the one actually driving. I’d sit on the driver’s seat. Rest on him, then hold the steering like I was actually controlling it. Then I grew older and found out you need to be doing something with your leg to actually be driving. – Emeka

One of those times my lil bro would have overfed himself and would use the happiness to dance to radio commercials. He would be looking at his reflection on the tv screen. There was no electricity and in candle light he would be dancing and sturvvs. – Oshomah

I always felt like an adult as a child. I wanted to adult so bad. So one day, in primary 1. I was over 5 years old. I decided to walk home myself. That involved walking under Ojuelegba bridge. I got home and felt I had made momma proud. Meanwhile, she was in school looking for me. When she finally got home, I though I was going to be greeted by a proud mum. Damn, I still remember the beating till this day. – Lekan

Someone just sued God. No, for real!

Yep. This is not a joke.
Someone did file a restraining order against the Almighty God.


But that’s not even the worst part. It was filed by someone who, according to the Bible, is one of God’s children.


The plaintiff, David Shoshan, appeared before a Haifa Magistrate Court last Tuesday demanding that God stop interfering in his life.


Shoshan said he had filed uncountable number of reports to the police department, but they only answered him like 10 times.

When he got tired of going to the Israeli police, he came to court to get justice.


A Nigerian Judge would have given this type of reply.


But the presiding Judge, Ahsan Canaan simple threw out the case. Because life can be spent doing less absurd things.
As to whether or not God showed up in court to defend Himself, that is up for debate.
On one angle, he wasn’t there in person. On the other angle, since God is believed to be Omnipresent, was He actually there throughout the court session? And was he there to defend Himself or was He there as Judge? If He was there at Judge, does that mean the presiding Judge was just wasting his time there?


Questions, questions, questions.

source: partyjollof.com

AUCH!!!! He doesn't love her anymore after taking her kidney!

This is not a joking sturv.
Someone is asking for your advice. He told NGTrends;

I am 32 years old and my girlfriend is 31 years old. We’ve been together for 5 years and now live together in a nice house.

Things have been slowly fizzling out and I’ve been feeling like we don’t belong together for a few months now. I feel like if I don’t make a decision soon we will be married and I will feel this way forever.

But on the other hand, getting a kidney transplant has changed my life for the better in so many ways. I feel like staying together is the right thing to do even if I’m not in love anymore. I’ll never be able to pay her back.

I’m so torn and conflicted and feel like I have to make an impossible choice.

If I stay with her, I’ll always feel trapped and in a loveless relationship. If I break up with her, I’ll forever feel like an evil person for dumping someone who literally put their life on the line for me.

He probably wasn’t ready for what Twitter had to say.

First, we need to understand that kidney is not a small thing.

And that love and NGO are not the same thing.

Dude, drop that kidney.