“My love for art began when I was a young boy, around 6 years old. I used to draw cars, chairs, houses and had fun drawing stick men. My teachers then had me help with class preparation by drawing parts of the human body. So, my passion for art was growing day by day. My mother is my role model, she was my inspiration. When I was a little boy I would watch her drawing dresses, gowns, trousers and other clothing as she was a Tailor. One day she asked who I wanted to be. I replied to her that I want to become an artist all over the world. She laughed at me. Then after a few days she bought me pencils, colours and sketch books. She was my inspiration and my superhero. I really got into art as I loved seeing people’s feelings and making them happy through my art. I am also making a small living as when I sell a piece, I am able to buy food and pay rent.”
“I had no idea about drawing with a Bic pen. Most of my art I drew with graphite pencils but due to the lack of money, these and other supplies were hard to come by. I had only one choice, the Bic pen, I found in my mother’s bag. So, from that day I used a Bic pen and the art felt good as it was easy to control and put detail into my artwork. I also had some challenges as people could not support my art in the community. They don’t consider art as a full-time job like other jobs. So, a lack of better tools and a lack of support from relatives and the community has made my journey difficult. “
Machumu Brings His Culture To Life
“Great human artists inspire people. I want to inspire people with my art. I want to help people who are struggling like me by teaching them to draw. I want to help children live out their dreams. I want to make it a better place and educate my society that art is a good job like any other job. Nursing, teacher and so on.
