Meet&Greet: Introductions

Having been raised in Kenya, a haven of abundant wildlife and vibrant cultures, I have come to appreciate and understand the true essence of living in a multicultural society. Some of my childhood’s most significant memories and experiences have been shaped and influenced by this beautiful country, all in all, molding me into the person that I am today.

My artistic journey began when I was about five years old, and this is my story:

The sound of the rusty engine and the bumpy road finally came to an end as the evergreen Land Cruiser came to a halt. Surrounded by a dust cloud which eventually settled down like a blanket over the vehicle, I hopped out of the 4x4. My dad gleefully put me on the hood of the car and bundled me up in a red Maasai shuka as I gazed at the majestic African sunrise. We were right in the middle of the golden savannah plains, and the landscape looked as if it was faintly painted in hues of green with sparsely dotted Acacia trees and Grevy zebras. The Maasai Mara, one of the most famous National parks in Kenya, soon became my ultimate source of inspiration for the basis of all my art.

As I grew older and frequented many safaris in Kenya, my enthusiasm for wildlife art and photography increased immensely. By simply observing the beauty these parks, valleys, trees, animals posed, I wanted to showcase these interpretations through art. This led me to experiment and explore different colors, textures, and techniques; hence, my journey started with painting and practicing the basics of drawing in pencil in the art classroom. As time went by, with more practice and an eagerness to learn, my passion for this subject grew tremendously. I tried to improve myself by independently practicing to paint and draw still life and through the reference of photographs. I have always been intrigued by still life art, abstract paintings, and portraits, so I decided to explore and try out these aspects of art through different media types. Inevitably, I got inspired by some artworks of famous artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Georgia O’Keeffe. I recognized that their art spoke about the different phases of their lives, and their brushstrokes expressed how they impacted art, culture, and society at that time. Whether it was the facial expressions of Rembrandt’s sketches, the meaningful mysteries of Van Gogh’s paintings, or the abstract nature paintings of O’Keeffe, all these great artists have an effect in this modern-day era.

In High School, I embarked upon studying AP Art History. This incredible class broadened my knowledge and appreciation of the different cultural periods starting from ancient history to the present. As I was eager to practice independently and focus on particular skill sets with various media, I took up the AP Studio 2D Design course. In this course, I based my concentration “The Jungle” on the investigation of Kenyan wildlife through the use of contrast and textures with black and white media. My interest in art was further evoked for wildlife conservation as I sold my drawings of elephants and rhinos to raise money to create an awareness to combat animal poaching. Through my works of art, I have been able to express my art by sending a message to society and making a change for the better livelihood of these beautiful animals. Some organizations include FoNNAP (Friends of the Nairobi National Park) and the DSWT (the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust).

Now, having been exposed to a plethora of diverse cultures, I have reinforced my pursuit and interest in art as my career path. We live in a world where art can be used for storytelling, starting conversations, and adding color to our lives.

- Anokhi Dodhia