Adam Safiya (AISU): On how pure enthusiasm, sharing her works, and getting commission requests led her to pursue her passion for art — #013
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Adam Safiya (AISU): On how pure enthusiasm, sharing her works, and getting commission requests led her to pursue her passion for art — #013
I started semi-realistic digital painting on an Android phone out of pure enthusiasm and excitedly shared my works on Instagram. I was surprised to see requests for commissions in my DM.
Hi, thank you for joining us for another issue of our interview with African Creatives. In this issue, I spoke with Adam Safiya (AISU), a digital illustrator, and an aspiring animator. AISU is a graduate of chemistry currently pursuing her passion and interest in Art. She describes herself as an easygoing and introverted person.
If you are curious to know what led her to art and how she got started, what drives and motivates her, what she enjoys doing outside of art, the challenges of being an artist and how she navigates them, her favourite projects, the people that inspire her, and the people and brands she would love to work with, you should continue reading. You will definitely love and enjoy reading this!
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Adam Safiya with the pseudonym AISU. I am a digital illustrator and an aspiring animator. I enjoy experimenting with ethereal and dreamlike aesthetics. My art uses surrealism, interstellar themes, and soul narratives to portray elegance, experiences, and mystical ideas. My art is a representation of many things but most importantly, it is a representation of the state of mind.
When I am not in the creative mode of creating art, I find inspiration around me from movies, stories, music, and the work of other artists.
I would describe myself as easygoing and introverted; which I think is a common trait of creative people. Interestingly, I didn’t study art or an art-related course at the university. I am a graduate of chemistry.
How did you get started? What led you to pursue a career in art?
Art has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, I was an animation lover who often daydreamed of becoming an artist. I watched a lot of documentaries about the solar system and had this colourful encyclopedia about it. The surreal feeling I had while researching and stumbling across what I considered ‘odd outer space theories’ had and still has a significant impact on my source of inspiration.
2020 marked the start of my professional career in art, and the development has been truly fascinating. Prior to that, I started semi-realistic digital painting on an Android phone out of pure enthusiasm and excitedly shared my works on Instagram. I was surprised to see requests for commissions in my direct message (DM).
What could be better than pursuing a passion and making money from it as well? It is so exciting and fulfilling.
I officially entered the NFT space in March, when I released my first collection, We Are Celestials; on opensea. With this collection, I experimented with a more cartoonish, and less realistic manner of painting.
How will you describe what you do to a 5-year-old?
I make cosmic daydreams into art.
What is your day-to-day routine? What does a typical day look like for you?
Depending on my agenda for the day, I make an effort to set aside 2–3 days per week for exercise and boxing. When it comes to working on projects, I typically spend the day thinking about what to create. I try to generate concepts and get inspiration for what I want to work on while jamming to artists like ‘Gorillaz’. This helps me visualize the ideal outcome. I have discovered that my creative juices flow best at night. So I typically postpone painting and execution of these ideas until this time when I get to do my best work.
I experiment with baking and cooking on rare occasions. My favorite times to eat are when a new recipe is used or a dish is prepared using a new method. Yum.
On days I am not working or I am resting, I enjoy watching crime/psychological documentaries, anime, and animations. I also play Monopoly, or as I like to call it, “the demon game” to relax and relieve the pressure.
What do you enjoy most about what you do? What is the most satisfying thing about what you do?
The fulfilment of being a creative. Part of this is being able to successfully visualise and carry out concepts. Also, getting to see a large number of people interact with my work in a way that relates to them. It is a good type of overwhelming.
What is the best career investment you have made as a creative?
That would be getting an iPad. As I said earlier, I started art with an Android phone. As much as I enjoyed the process, it was not comfortable using my fingers to paint on a small screen. After upgrading to an iPad, I still used my fingers to draw until I got an Apple pen in mid-2022. Working felt so much better and more enjoyable after getting the Apple pen.
Another is using Twitter as a platform to share my craft and also, entering the NFT space. I was able to learn about and become familiar with many brilliant Nigerian artists.
What are the challenges you face as a creative?
One is the occasional creative block. It can be frustrating. There’s also the difficulty in receiving funds from international clients sometimes.
Networking and maintaining a social media presence can be challenging. Another challenge is deciding on the major painful changes I want to make as an artist going forward.
How do you navigate these challenges?
I maintain an optimistic mindset going through these challenges. I am of the belief that what is meant to be will be and what is not, will pass!
What is your creative process and workflow?
I am a ‘go-with-the-flow’ type of artist. I go with whatever feels right at the time when I work on projects.
What do you enjoy most about your process?
The experimental process and execution! Sometimes I get so absorbed in my work that when I step back, I am in awe. I mean, how did I get here? It’s incredible.
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What are the essential gadgets, tools, and software you use for work daily?
I use an iPad mini 5 and an Apple pencil. Procreate is my go-to app for illustrating.
How did the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown impact you and the work you do as a creative?
Though it was a devastating year worldwide, 2020 was a turning point for me. The month before Covid struck Nigeria, I was in the first semester of my final year at the university, and the workload was overwhelming. I had this strange feeling that I wasn’t doing anything meaningful. A wave of disappointment hovered over me. But during the lockdown, I thought ‘Hey! Why not keep myself engaged by creating?’ hoping it would take my mind off all the stress. And that worked like magic!
Fast forward to now, I regret nothing when it comes to this.
How do you handle rejections and creative blocks as a creative?
Simply said, I try again. Even though it hurts, I think every setback is a step in the right direction.
I overcome creative blocks by working on what starts as a simple idea, and if it becomes too much, I take a break.
What is the task you don't enjoy doing but you have to do?
Networking appears to be challenging at the present. Along with striving to be noticed. Particularly when the social media algorithm buries my effort, hehe.
What are the projects and pieces of work you are most proud of?
I want to say all my creations, but let me just highlight my most recent collections; ‘Stellar Mind: The Awakening’ (SM:TA) on foundation, my Residency Collection on Voice, and the Tarot Card Samples on Makersplace.
These projects put together shows how adventurous I am with my work.
SM:TA (2022) was a bold step for me in visualising an otherworldly form for my art. I had reached the stage where I wished to use my artwork as a means of solace. I gave it my all in trying to convey the innermost feelings and mental processes. I considered this a vulnerable experience. To be able to express myself this way is something I am quite satisfied with.
How do you stay creative?
I can’t claim I am always creative, but when I feel like I am not, I watch animations, read books, and look at art that inspires me to rekindle the flame.
What keeps you motivated to keep creating?
I stay motivated by thinking back on the successes I have had thus far.
There’s my mother also. She encourages me to remain persistent and give my best shot whenever I can.
What do you do for fun? How do you relax when you are not working?
I binge-watch series and animations. I also go out to the movies and explore yummy food.
Who are the creatives that inspire you?
There is a long list but I will just mention a few that come to mind at the moment.
Gloriaolar: I never cease to be amazed by her work with scribbling patterns and vivid ideas.
Adaze Okaro: My reaction to her photographs is one of nostalgia and longing.
Hues of Gigi: She astonishes me with her words and the innovative ways she uses collages to convey ideas. Opens my mind!
Bolu Sowoolu, Chxka, Tobirama, Awelewa Charles, and Supervillain.
Who are the people you would love to work with or collaborate with?
Gloriaolar, Bumblebee, Aceabdool, and Renike.
What brand(s) would you love to work with?
I would love to create book covers and artwork for children’s books and adult fiction. So I am open to any brand in this space.
What would you be doing if you were not an artist?
I would continue my studies in chemistry or maybe pursue another degree. Perhaps try another kind of creative outlet.
I intended to open an arcade. Very likely, I would work hard to make that happen.
What advice do you have for someone who is just starting out or is at the early stage of their creative journey?
I would advise you to take your time and experiment with different approaches. I used to be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. To be completely honest, I still am. But I know there is no harm in trying something new. And it was this motivation that drove me to experiment with my craft to achieve what I call etherealism.
Interact and ask questions about anything you are interested in. Don’t wait till you have it all to start being creative.
Most importantly, believe in yourself.
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What would you consider success and fulfilment in your career when you look back in the next 20 years?
Having maintained consistency in my artistic technique and style. I want my work to be recognized anywhere it is displayed. I also want to have collaborated with the animation sector.
I aspire to own an art gallery as well as a merch store. I also want to partner with groups that are genuinely committed to advancing artists. I would love to have helped launch and assist an emerging artist’s career as well as have enough to continue to support and promote Nigerian artists.
I want to become familiar with the various facets of art and crypto. I want to get to that stage where I successfully and comfortably rely on the income from my craft.
Whose story would you love to read about?
Gloriaolar, Romi, Christimmy, Luchified, Jekein.
Do you have anything you would like to plug in or promote?
I am open to commissions. Music and book cover art, portraits, illustrations... You name it.
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