By Prisca Sam-Duru

Good things they say, come in small packages. This applies well to Queen Tochukwu Nwaneri, a young artist who looks more like a teenage Hollywood actress than a painter.

The Italian born Imo state impressionistic artist, appears ready to transform the society with stunning art pieces which have begun penetrating the market.

Explaining how she began painting Queen noted, “I chose visual art because I have so much passion for it right from secondary school and so far, I’ve enjoyed working as an artist.” The painter disclosed that in order to satisfy her yearnings to become a great artist, “left Lagos in 2010 for Oshogbo and worked as an apprentice at the Nike Centre for Arts and Culture.

I gathered experience in textile, batik, tie and dye and wood carving. I was actually the first female wood carver there and was amazed with what I did. I proceeded to University of Ife where I got a Diploma in Fine and Applied Art. Later, I worked with few artists before settling down on my own. I have a studio at Iyana Ipaja where I work with some artists.” Queen describes herself as an aspiring upcoming artist wishing to use her talent to change the world.

Sadly, the talented artist is yet to receive her father’s blessing to continue with her first love. My father she said, “Has been against my becoming an artist because he believes that it won’t fetch me a good living. He prefers I become a lawyer. I cried several times to be allowed to express my talent but thank God for my mother who has been quite supportive.”

According to her, “Art is a day by day thing, I will continue to improve upon my works until I get to the peak and even when I get there, I will put in same energy if not more in other to remain relevant to the society. I intend to become an art lecturer some day and also to own an art centre.”

Most of Queen’s paintings are on life itself, especially “struggles and challenges. I love to paint faces and landscapes but when I paint faces, they depict what I feel on the inside. Female and children’s faces come up regularly in my Paintings. I still sculpt and carve but painting is my major area.”