Mokgomme is making a name for himself through art

Bez Valley self-taught artist Ramotoana Richard Mokgomme is now a Staedtler Gold ambassador.

Mokgomme said he is honoured to be an ambassador for the stationery giant.

“It feels very good to be part of the Staedtler family. They now give me materials to use for my artwork. I faced many challenges before I approached them. I often had to stop drawing at times because I had no resources,” he said.

Gowing up, Mokgomme used different kinds of pencils to draw.

“As a young and upcoming artist, I struggled to buy materials due to finances. I started using Staedtler pencils since 2006. One day I had other questions about art as I wanted to explore other art materials so I decided to visit their website because I am aware of the quality of their stationery.

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“I ended up writing to them and I asked them to supply me with materials to draw. They brought me a box of stationery containing different art materials. I was very happy. I spent so many hours drawing because I had everything that I needed to draw and paint,” he said.

Mokgomme said his work has improved since Staedtler sponsored him after he entered the ambassador competition.

“I saw the competition on social media and posted the work I had done using their products for the bronze Staedtler ambassador category. I was nominated for the silver and gold challenge ambassador and I won the gold challenge,” he said.

He said being a gold ambassador has opened a lot of opportunities for him.

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“I often draw and post my arts on their page. People like the work that I do. Some even approach me and ask me to draw for them.

“Staedtler recently launched their mars Staedtler online magazine and I was also chosen to be featured amongst artists like Temba Mkhangeli and Andy Warhol,” he said.

Mokgomme started drawing from a very young age.

“I always loved drawing. I grew up drawing. I used to draw on sand while my peers were playing soccer. My mother was such an inspiration to me. She used art to tell African stories late in the evening after eating supper.

“One day I told my mother that I would be a good artist when I grow up. It’s just that she is unable to see all this now because she has already died. After I completed my matric I thought my dream of becoming an artist would fade as I had no one to take me to university. Life has not been easy. I don’t have parents. I always had to make ends meet,” he said.

Mokgomme has entered many art exhibitions.

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“The first award I won was at Maleboho exhibition where I obtained first place in 2002. I also participated in the Next Step student group exhibition at Art Afrique in 2016 and I took part in “I Am An African” group exhibition. It was an honour to also participate in the Austrian Art Candid Cute Spring Contest 17 where I finished as a finalist last year.”