KwaThema – “I remember telling my mother when I was in primary school that I want to be an artist for a living.
“Even though I didn’t know how, I would do it,” explains Thulani.
Born on bred in Kwathema, he says in his young mind art was cartooning.
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“I believed I could only draw cartoons for TV and that is it.”
He says it wasn’t until he took courses at Art Proof Studio that he understood how broad the field really is.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be exposed to so much during my time there.
“Although I couldn’t finish, because of financial constraints, I left ready to spread my wings.”
The visual artist and fashion designer started making his own art and honing his skill.
“One day while I was working for a furniture manufacturer, a client offered to buy one of my paintings from the showroom.
“I gave him the price but he paid twice as much.”
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He says that is when he gained confidence in the value of his work.
“I left the stable job I had, and it wasn’t easy at all.
“The first few months I had to knock on doors to create a clientele for my business.”
Thulani says he even had to move back into his mother’s house in order to build his business.
Now based in funky downtown Jozi, he says his hard work is paying off.
“My dream is to share my knowledge with others and inspire them.
“We need to be wise and avoid being taken advantage of in this industry.”
He is running a series of workshops from April 14 in KwaThema.
For more information, keep your eyes on his social media platforms: on Facebook, Thulani Nhlapo, and Instagram @thulani.nhlapo.
