Creating platform for Creative performers pdf

Issue Eleven Vol. Two | November 2012
Follow us on Twitter:
@ArtflowMagazine
i s s u e e l e v e n
WWW.ARTFLOWMAGAZINE.COM
Like us on Facebook:
ARTFLOW MAGAZINE
Cover Image: 
2FaceIdibia
By: Jaiyeola Adeboye

Artflow is an online Magazine published monthly by
OctoberLead Limited to create a platform for creative
individuals. The images are the copyrighted properties of the
Artists and not those of Artflow Magazine. Opinions expressed
here are those of the Artists and Authors and not the entire
Artflow Magazine. While every care has been taken, we accept
liability for any error.

We’d love to hear from you! If you would like to be featured in
the Magazine, have any idea or suggestion, please send emails
to:
Editorial
Editorial Director: Gbenga Mogaji 
Creative Director: Roodney Cox 
Online Content Editor: Roodney Cox 
Contributing Editors: Nifemi Mogaji, 
Taiwo Sanyaolu, Kehinde Sanyaolu 
Feature Editor: Kemi Obadina


Executives 
Feature Executives: Temitope Farinloye, 
Flora Brawn
Research Executive: Tolu Bamiloshin
Customer Satisfaction Executive: 
Derrick Ince 
Distribution Executive: John Clifford
OctoberLead
Creative Business Development and Support
The TEAM
EDITOR’S LETTER
Gbenga Mogaji | Editorial Director
Welcome
she wants to make
pictures that concern
people; she bought a
Camera and Photoshop
became her best
friend
,,
Whether you want to give us some feedback or
have an idea you want to share with us, we’d love to
hear from you! Your ideas and suggestions
stimulate our thinking and help us to improve
our publication. We want YOUR input! Tell us what
you love, tell us what you hate just don’t keep it to
yourself! 

Please send emails to: .Like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter @ArtflowMagazine 
hree different artists from different

part of the world sharing same
platform on Artflow, showcasing
their creative abilities to the world. It
is always my pleasure to welcome
you to another edition of this
Magazine. We are here to show our
support
T
November 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 1
Leisa O’Brien was born in a small town of
Bundaberg, Australia and working
predominantly in acrylics now. Her love of art is
only matched by her drive to educate others
about painting and right-brained thinking. She
runs workshops and teaching art to both adults
and children for over 15 years 

Sonja Hesslow grew up with six siblings with
encouragement that she can do anything she
sets out to do and more reasons she decided to
become a photographer, even though it’s hard
work. Sonja wants to make pictures that concern
people; she bought a Camera and Photoshop
became her best friend 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meet Jaiyeola Adeboye who made the switch
from Agricultural Extension to Textile Design. He
grew up to like drawing and music. He never had
a formal training on the softwares he uses but
first came across CorelDraw in the 2005 and

Photoshop after. Since then, he has being
exploring creative art. With his story in mind, I
shared some tips on how to enjoy the career
switch on page 9 
2 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
content
09
EIGHT WAYS TO
GBENGA MOGAJI
ENJOY THE SWITCH
Born in a small town of Bundaberg,
Australia and working predominantly in
acrylicsnow.
Her love of art is only matched
by her drive to educate others about painting
and right-brained thinking. She runs
workshops and teaching art to both adults
and children for over 15 years.
03
Leisa O’Brien
11
He made the switch from Agricultural
Extension to Textile Design; grew up to like
drawing and music. Never had a formal
training on the softwares he uses but first
came across CorelDraw in the 2005 and
Photoshop after. Since then, he has being
exploring creative art.
18
Jaiyeola Adeboye

Sonja Hesslow
She grew up with sencouragement that she can
do anything she sets out to do and more reasons
she decided to become a photographer, even
though it’s hard work. Sonja wants to make
pictures that concern people; she bought a
Camera and Photoshop became her best friend
Leisa was born in 1967 in a small town of
Bundaberg, Australia. Working
predominantly in acrylics now, sometimes
oils, she came from a watercolour
background and is renowned for her
sun-drenched seascapes and capturing
Australia’s beach culture. Featuring in
several of her own Exhibitions as well as
Group Exhibitions, Leisa’s work is
permanently showing at D’Bar Gallery and
Kingscliff Arts locally and Sydney Galleries
interstate. Leisa was recently invited to take
part in an International Exhibition by
Michael Caine in New York.

With a passion for capturing a slice of time,
her love of art is only matched by her drive
to educate others about painting and
right-brained thinking. Leisa has been
running workshops and teaching art to
both adults and children for over 15 years.
Her work has recently been featured on an
International Television series showcasing

Australia’s top emerging artists and she
currently has her work in a group exhibition
of the artist’s who have been part of the Put
Some Colour in Your Life Television Series
at C Gallery in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.

Leisa’s lifetime dream of being a full time
artist is close to realization as she is
spending more and more time painting
commissions in her beachside art studio as
well as several sales in her current C Gallery
Exhibition with one piece selling within an
hour on opening night.


I ADORE THIS
COUNT RY A N D I DO
T HIN K IT IS T HE M OS T
F ORT UNAT E A ND
B EA UT IF UL COUNT RY
IN T HE W OR LD. T HA NK
GOODNES S F OR T HE
INT E R N E T ! IT HA S
M A DE US CLOS ER T O
T HE R ES T OF T HE
W OR LD A N D T HE R E S T
OF T HE W OR LD M OR E
A CCES S IB LE T O US .
,,
Leisa O’Brien

Who is Leisa? Can we meet you
please? 
I’m an easy-going Aussie country girl. I
grew up in a small, beautiful town of
Bundaberg in Queensland. I had
visions of travelling the world, hated
cooking and had no intentions of ever
having children. Well I still hate
cooking but had conquered the other
two! I moved to the Gold Coast and
learnt to surf in my thirties and just
love my life here. The ocean is crystal
clear and beaches aren’t crowded or
polluted. I’ve had my heart broken
more than once and I’ve had fearful
life lessons to learn but I’m happy to
claim each scar as it has made me a
more interesting and developed soul. 

I’ve also felt pure bliss and joy many
times and live my life in gratitude
almost every day. I’m one of the
happiest people I know – and I think
it’s because of the people I surround
myself with and my belief in making
the most of everything. If I were to
describe the very essence of me – this
joke comes pretty close…


How is life down under in Australia?
Do you sometimes feel out of this
world?
I have to say a big YES to this! I adore
this country and I do think it is the
most fortunate and beautiful country
in the world but after travelling
through Europe, Canada and the
United States, I have felt how isolated
we are being down under and how
young we are as a Nation. Thank
goodness for the Internet! It has
made us closer to the rest of the world
and the rest of the world more
accessible to us. 

I am still amazed at getting comments
on my paintings from people in
Russia, Japan and Brazil. This little
country town girl never dreamed
when she was 5 that one day my art
would be on walls around the world
and yet I have sold works to Egypt,
the Caribbean, Japan and Russia! 

Any childhood memories?
I had quite an unusual childhood as I
grew up at a Tourist Attraction park
called “The Mystery Craters.” It was a
special and wonderful place –various

How easy is it to combine your full
time work with the creative demands
of an Artist?
It is the most difficult thing I have ever
done. I am constantly in the mode of
Mother and Wife but first and foremost I
have the soul of an artist so that’s all I
want to do. It’s very hard to sit down and
spend a day colouring a site plan to an
architect’s deadline, in between loads of
washing and grocery shopping then
hoping I can get to the Art Studio for an
hour or two before collecting Josh from
school.

When my husband gets home from work,
I take off for night teaching Adult Learn to
Paint classes – where I get so enthused to
paint so my art teaching is a dream job
but it’s at the end of a long day and
sometimes I don’t start painting at
9:30pm. I shouldn’t complain because
my problem is not finding my creativity –
it’s always there, simmering away – my
frustration is organising the rest of my life
so that I get more time to paint
uninterrupted. Josh is only 8 and we don’t
have any family around so I know that
things will get easier as the years go by.
Also, due to the economy slowing down,

our architectural illustration business has
pretty much died so I’m not doing too
much of that anymore. Looks like my best
painting years are just ahead of me! 

What inspires your creativity?
A huge inspiration for me is my husband,
Matt’s, surf photography. When I was
pregnant and had to stop surfing I gave
him a waterproof camera and asked if
he’d take a few shots for me for reference.
This reignited his passion for
photography and since then he has
exhibited with me and been featured on
TV for his surf photography. Other than
that – almost every part of my life I find
inspiration….opening my eyes in the
morning and seeing the kind of light that
day brings, deciding what colours and
patterns to wear that day as I get dressed,
seeing the ocean and the sky on my way
to dropping my son to school. Going for a
walk on the beach or a surf. Seeing other
people’s artwork or going to a scenic
place ( I’ve just come home from doing an
art workshop in Hobart, Tasmania and I
took over 500 photos –so inspirational to
see the different landscape and
buildings!) Everything inspires my
creativity really – except cooking

sized rock craters of mixed sandstone,
siltstone and red ochre… a geological
mystery that no 2 geologists could
agree on it’s formation but carbon
dated to 25 million years old. They
looked like giant left footprints and we
used to climb in them and swim in
some and we had 13 rock wallabies as
pets (kangaroos smaller, cuter cousin).
Rolf Harris came to see the Craters one
day and he is an idol of mine. I used to
love watching him create a huge
painting out of his imagination! He
inspired me so much.

Why decide to paint? How did you
discover your interest in Art? 
I just started drawing anything and
everything at age 4 or 5 and Mum
began to buy me lovely cartridge
paper art books to draw in. By the age
of 9, I was designing and painting all
the posters for my school’s Library. It’s
something I’ve just always done and I
can explicitly remember telling people
at the age of 5 that I was going to be
an artist and I’ve never lost that love of
being creative. ‘

Even when I was working as an

architectural illustrator for 12 years, I
had my own little pet portrait business
going on the side. It was when I
became pregnant and had to stop
surfing that I picked up the acrylics and
started to paint the ocean and that
really hasn’t left me yet. It’s not the
only subject I paint but it’s what I’m
most constantly captivated by these
days. 

How is your educational
background? Did you have any
formal training as an Artist?
At High School I studied Technical
Drawing and then did a Graphic Arts
course after High School. I was
employed by an architect right after
completing the course and that
became a bit of an apprenticeship for
me – learning parts of buildings and
technical architectural terms and also
how to paint hundreds of cars in a
shopping centre car park, wet bitumen
roads and reflective glass. I taught
myself to use acrylics and oils and have
spent years studying brainwaves and
the brain hemispheres and their effect
on creativity just in my own time.
November 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 5

Leisa O’Brien
How would you describe Art?
That’s easy – for me Art is the
creative process of your unique
expression. Art is often pondered
about as what it actually IS and
what IT IS NOT but that, in my mind,
is one facet of Art being judged –
so it’s highly definitive in itself. Art
is so much more than a finished
object or image. Art is creating, Art
is putting yourself in that state of
pure creativity where time stands
still and energy flows into you and
through you. For me, Art is a state
of bliss. 

What makes your art different? How
would you describe your style?
I am passionate about sharing the
way I see the world in my paintings
as I see the world in layers of colour
and light. I’m fascinated with
building something on a blank
canvas and creating a moment in
time. Working as an architectural
illustrator and graphic artist for
years using watercolours, gouache
and airbrushing honed my ability to
portray things realistically- so

photorealism comes very easily but
my challenge is to loosen up and be
more suggestive in my work.

I use clever composition to invite
the viewer’s eye into my paintings
Iand hopefully my subject, colour and
light keeps them there. I think my
work is interesting and a little
different because I usually start off
being really detailed and then soften
and loosen up as I go and usually it’s
the opposite way around for many
creative people. 

I think just the fact that it is MY
unique creative expression makes it
different – as I teach many students
and quite often we are painting the
exact subject, the exact size and I’m
even helping them mix the same
colours but each person creates their
own different interpretation of that
piece. I would describe my style as
traditional but with a colourful twist
as I always work from a point of
realism maybe we can invent a term
and call it “The new traditional??”

Please share your commercial

experiences with us, how is the business
side of Art?
This is the difficult side for me as it is
for many artists. We love to create but
don’t want to spend our time self
promoting and selling our work or
trying to market work. Many Galleries
only want well-known established
artists and many Galleries have closed
down over the last few years. Media
and therefore marketing is changing 

and we must adapt so I have my
artwork on several online websites for
networking and promotion and my
own public Facebook page with my
online Gallery.


I have been fortunate and sensible
about getting my work out there. I
joined a local artist’s cooperative
where we all run a Gallery together
which is a brilliant way to go. I then
approached both the local Galleries
and the Interstate Gallery that my
artwork sells in now (not to mention
a few rejections in the interim by
other Galleries!) and I have found that
networking by being part of

something bigger like Global Art and
Put Some Colour in Your Life has
given me a broad exposure that I
cannot get as a stand alone artist.
They provide you with a huge
window of opportunity and exposure
that would take a single artist an
entire career to build for themselves
(like this interview). 

I have approached many local
businesses to display my art and sell
them on consignment and sell
greetings cards I make from my
paintings. This shouldn’t be
understated as many artists think to
have any credit you must have Gallery
August 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 9
6 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Leisa O’Brien
representation. At the end of the
day, for me it’s about being able
to continue to create and not run
out of space so sales at local cafes
and Gelato shops are fantastic
and have led to many great
commissions for me.

I have found that private
commissions are wonderful

because they challenge me to
paint things I normally would
never try (I’ve painted the Eiffel
Tower at night and am currently
painting Sydney Harbour with
the Sydney Opera House!) Also I
make a point to donate a
painting for fundraising and
charity every year. 

At the moment, I’m donating 2
artworks to raise money for
research into Crohns Disease and
Collitis. I have raised thousands
of dollars for local and
international causes and it is a
great way to feel worthy about
your art and getting exposure for
your work in such a positive way. 
Have you received any
recommendations or nice words that
made you feel happy as an Artist?
Yes- I’ve had one lady in particular
who is from England. She once sent
me an email saying the weather was
awful – she was snowed in and she
didn’t care at all because the sun was
shining in her living room! I’ve also
had people comment that my
painting brings back beloved

memories of childhood beach
holidays every time they look at it. 

This is the most wonderful feedback
and it gives me the greatest sense of
achievement because I know
someone else has truly connected
with my art. I think having someone
hug you and burst into tears when
you’ve handed them a portrait of their
dearly departed pet is hard to beat. ( I
always end up crying with them). I
have to say as an artist who is
passionate about teaching others to
paint, I have had some tear jerking
emails from strangers saying watching
my TV episode has inspired them to
take art lessons after years. Great stuff.
You hired an art studio and dedicated
more time to your art and was featured
on a TV show in Australia, Tell us more
about your experience? 
I decided this was my year and was
fortunate enough to find a wonderful
location to use as an art studio and
within two months was approached to
be filmed in my studio doing a
painting. An amazing man and brilliant
artist Graeme Stevenson, who is doing
wonderful things to promote artists

here in Australia, runs an amazing
television series and website called
“Put Some Colour in Your Life.” The
show is about building a library of the
minds of artists and it showcases
emerging artists while they do a
painting, demonstrate their techniques
and give an in depth interview. He
contacted me after he saw some
artworks I uploaded onto the Colour in
Your Life website. It was a brilliant
experience and I sold the painting I did
on the show the day after it aired to a
man down in South Australia after
several calls to purchase it. 

I’ve had enquiries about doing
workshops from all over the country.
Actually the TV series has gone
International now and several stations
in London are in talks with Graeme. It
also runs on Virgin Airlines. I’m
expecting to be mobbed when I do the
grocery shopping any day now. It has
been great exposure and also great to
be part of something that is educating
people about art as well as entertaining
them! 

How has your works improved over

time?
I think my works have improved with
my increased ability to see with my
eyes and not just with my mind
(particularly with the left side of the
brain). I know this sounds silly, but as
adults, what we “see” when we look at
something is heavily influenced by
what information our brain has stored
about that thing. For instance – with
the ocean –people will generally look
at water and their knowledge from the
analytical left-side of the brain tells
them “Oh yes. That’s water – it’s blue in
the ocean.” But when you discard that
pre-learnt description you can start to
see things just as they are- with your
November 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 7
Leisa O’Brien
eyes, your emotions and then with
your palette and paintbrush. I
remember doing my first oil painting
of a close-up, tiny beach-break wave
and being shocked at the khaki
green colour I had mixed – thinking
“That can’t be right- there’s no khaki
green in the ocean” But there was…
so my best advice to anyone is listen
to that inner voice of analysis and
explanation (left brain)- thank it and

then tell it to shutup… and then
continue on by listening to your soul
and what your eyes are telling you. 

Any of your works you want to talk
about?
“Wave Close-up” is the one I
mentioned above where I had my
colour revelation. Another painting
that really helps me to explain the
way I see colour and light in layers is
“Kirra Classic Wave” which is the
painting I did for the TV show. It is
quite simple to paint as the light hits
the water and forms these random
little blobs and dots and just by
replicating the funny shapes in
white – you create the illusion of
strong sunlight playing on the
surface of the water. It’s not until
you’ve painted many “dots” of white
that you can start to see them
working. I’m most proud of a
painting I did of one of my idols the
great surfer “Kelly Slater” because I
really captured how he looks to me.
I only had half of his face as a black
and white photo to go from so that
was a challenge. Unfortunately that
original was stolen from it’s owner in

Paris. Two paintings that I love of
mine are giving me the promise of
things to come. Silhouette 1 and 2 –
show me that my realism is there (I
lectured fashion illustration for 10
years) but I have that ability to free
up and use colour to be more
suggestive in my art. This is where I
hope to go!! 

What is the best advice you have
ever received?
To paint from your heart – and paint
to please yourself, because when
you start to sell some art, you can
get a little careful about what you
paint and hope that it will sell but in
doing that something is lost. 

If you are not painting, what else
would you be doing? What do you
do in the spare time?
SURFING !!! I love to surf. I still ride a
short board so it keeps me fit and
strong and whenever I’m out there
on my board I’m surrounded by
inspiration to paint! I also design,
paint and sew my own clothes and
do Karate. I also write and illustrate
children’s books – and have a

passion for making greeting cards –
funny ones from little watercolours I
do as well as from my paintings.
I have painted a series of cards,
bookmarks, activity books that I
want to publish one day as well- it’s
especially aimed at children who
have long stays in Hospital as my
best friend’s son often does. I will
-one day- have the time and money
to hold art workshops for children
and adults in hospitals. 
Anything else you want to share? 
I’m just really passionate about
people opening themselves up to
their creativity . Get creative and
into the right side of your brain and
you’ll discover what you’re missing!
Artist |Gold Coast, Queensland. Australia
Form of Art: Acrylic and oils on canvas
Email: 
Website: www.envisionillustration.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leisa.obrien.artist
Leisa O’Brien
In Memory of Weaver Knight
Leisa O’Brien
8 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
“You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for
your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only
way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only

way to do great work is to love what you do.” - Steve Jobs
November 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 9
ack in Architectural School, I had a friend who
was destined for Radio, his voice was unique
and I remember always telling him to speak to
me in that voice. He was more into
entertainment than Architecture. I wonder
why he did not study mass communication,
media or journalism. He later went on to
become a movie producer and director.
B
EIGHT WAYS TO
GBENGA MOGAJI
ENJOY
THE SWITCH
It is no more surprising to see people make dramatic career
switches, spending 6 year in Medical School and decide to spend
your day behind the mixer in the studio producing music instead of
having a stethoscope around your neck as you walk around the
ward. In most cases it is about the hidden passion. Things you love
to do but not in main stream educational system but how do you
enjoy yourself on that new career path?

No longer a big deal to admit that I also made such career move
and always willing to share my experience. With a first degree in
Architecture, I am more involved in brand design and publishing, I
was able to use my creative abilities in some other area and same
for some of my friends in Architecture School who went on to
become TV presenters, Fashion Designers and even Model Makers.
Not all went on to design and build.

Feature
for everyone and creative individuals can tap into that.
Make your works available online, on social media
network. Your collections could just be a click away.

TELL PEOPLE WHAT YOU DO: Don’t just have a website
and keep the address to yourself. Be proud of what you
do. There are chances you are better than someone so
don’t be shy to tell people what you do. Even if they don’t
need your service, they can recommend it to somebody
who does. It more of word of mouth advertisements for
what you are doing.

GIVE FREELY: This is a very important point I will like you
to take note if you have not being doing it. When I started
with Website design in 2003, I did a
community website for my Estate
and my Church. It was more of an
avenue to develop myself and a
corporate social responsibility but it
opened opportunities for me. Those
who have seen my free service
where they one who paid for it.
Yours could be sample designs of
what you do, painting a family
member or making a handmade
card for your Boss. It goes a long
way to show what you can offer.
Some actually give tutorials on design software. It is not
about the money but the passion keeps them going.


MANAGE YOUR TIME: And finally, you don’t have to use
24 hours of your day to do what you like before you enjoy
yourself. Sitting in front of the computer for 24 hours is
not good for your eyes; you will need to take some
breaks. Spend time with your families and friend. Manage
your time appropriately to accommodate for some other
important things of life. It wouldn’t be nice if your dirty
appearance overshadows the beautiful work you did
over the night.

Your happiness in life is very important. The euphoria of
achievement doing what you love to cannot be
explained. Make sure you live life to the fullest on your
career path. Your first degree in a University is to prepare
you for the challenges a head. Your interest and passion
will keep you going. Wish you all the best.
The lessons learnt from my sister actually prompted me to
share this with you. With her love for Chemistry and other
sciences, we all thought she will end up in a medical
school but she chose to do Medicinal/Industrial
Chemistry. It was not all about the pride or monetary
reward attached to being a medical doctor; it is about
doing what you enjoy and most importantly if you can
identify that right from the beginning. 

She loves to read, do research and wants to work in GSK.
The motivation here is not the salary but something in
line with your passion and interest. With these tips, I hope
you will think more positive and enjoy the switch.

IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT MONEY:
Have you tried to answer this
question by the philosopher
Alan Watts, “What would you like
to do if money were no object?”
He went on to say that it is better
to live a short life doing what
you like than a long life doing
what you don’t like. To enjoy
yourself, don’t make Money the
priority.
IDENTIFY YOUR TALENT EARLY: As early as possible,
identify what you love and are passionate about. Identify
your interest and make it align with your career goal. You
will start to enjoy yourself from a very early time and you
can grow into it. You wouldn’t waste your time moving
around in a cycle doing what you don’t like. You need to
remember that your talent is unique to you. You just have
to discover it EARLY.

DEVELOP YOUR SELF: Once you have identified what you
like to do, your interest and passion, see how well you can
develop it and sharpen your skills. No doubt it may not be
available in your school curriculum but information about
all around. From the internet, asking questions and
networking with others. You can attend specialist schools
for photography, fashion or even painting.

NETWORK: As you develop yourself, network with others
within your industry, with those who are more

experienced with whom you can learn and newbie whom
you can influence and share your own experiences with
them. You get access to information about new trends,
job openings and even a shoulder to lean on when thing
seems to be going wrong. Attend conferences, ask
questions and answer questions.

DEVELOP YOUR PLATFORM: When you meet like minded
people, you should have a place of knowledge to call your
own, your website, your portfolio or an album to
showcase what you do. The internet has made life easier
Gbenga resides and works in London. Creative by
default, directing editorial affairs of Artflow
Magazine. A branding enthusiast with interest in
photography and a social media handyman.
Follow him on Twitter: @mogajigbenga
accommodate some other
important things of life. It
wouldn’t be nice if your dirty
appearance overshadows the
beautiful work you did over the
night.
,,
10 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Sonja Hesslow
Grew up with six siblings with encouragement that she can do
anything she sets out to do and more reasons she decided to
become a photographer, even though it’s hard work. Sonja wants
to make pictures that concern people; she bought a Camera and
Photoshop became her best friend.

Can you please briefly describe
yourself?
I’m energetic, creative and happy. I
think that people sees me like I’m
always smiling and care about other
people.

How was your background growing
up?
I grew up in Varberg, Sweden in a
really big family with six siblings. It
was amazing! Every summer we
spend time together in our summer
house nearby a lake. Actually all my
memories from my childhood were
positive. My parents have always
encouraged us that we can do
anything we set out to do. I think
that’s why I decided to be a
photographer, even though it’s hard
work.

What was your ambition, while
growing up as a Child?
As a child I always tried to find things
that I was good at. My siblings and I
competed a lot and my goal was
always to be better than they were. I
tried to for example run faster, make
better paintings, and sing better or

other things.

How would you describe your style of
photography?
Dreamy, surreal and a little bit crazy
sometimes. I want to make pictures
that concern people. I use post
production and many pictures in one.
I think that the process just start when
you making the pictures in the
camera.

What got you into photography and
how long have you been doing it?
In high school I was really into drama
and thought for a while that I was
going to be an actor. I took a photo
class too. My teacher told me that I
really should continue on that path
and search for a photography school
after high school. At that time I didn’t
listened that much. I have always
loved to have my camera with me but
it was at first three years ago when I
bought a real SLR camera I was stuck.
I spent almost every day with my
camera and Photoshop became my
best friend. I understood that I was
meant to be a photographer. Then
everything went really fast and two

and a half years ago I started to study
Photography at Medieskolerne in
Denmark.

You attended Medieskolerne – Media
College Denmark, How has this choice
affected your styles of photography?
My school is more of a technical
school and I learn everything about
lights, cameras, technology and
commercial works etc. We learn how
to make it perfect and then you can
do it your own way but still perfect!
I’m studying for four and a half years
and just one and half is in school. 

The rest I spend in Gothenburg in
Sweden for internship with different
photographers where I use what I’ve
learn from school. So I don’t think that
the school affected my style that
much. My teacher gives me feedback
on my pictures to help me be a better
photographer but still keep my own
style.

How do you come up with ideas?
Sometimes an idea appears when I
hear a song, see a movie, dreaming in
the night, seeing other impressive

photographer’s pictures or just when
I’m in a second hand store finding
exciting stuff. 
Jonathan Hasson
12 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Sonja Hesslow
I LOVE SPENDING
TIME WITH MY
BOYFRIEND AND
FAMILY. THEY MAKE
ME HAPPY AND THAT
HAS HELPED ME TO
BE MORE CREATIVE
AND LIVE A HAPPY
LIFE.
,,
Have you ever regretted being a
photographer?
I think that it is quite hard in this
moment because I’m between school,
internship and my own company and it
feels like I never have a quiet time. You
have to be creative all the time and it’s
hard sometimes. But in the end I love
being a photographer, I work with my
biggest hobby and it’s really awesome. 

Models are important in your form of
photography, how has being your

experience working with your models
and other members of the team?
I think it’s nice! That’s one of the best
reasons of being a photographer; you
see new people all the time. I’ve almost
used all my friends as models.

Have you being involved in troubles
while doing your work? 
One time in the beginning I worked
without a contract with a client. When I
was done my customer didn’t want the
pictures because he was going to sell
his company. From then on I always
make sure to have the agreement
written down, at least in an email.
Do you have any other special works
you want to share with us?
I would love to share one of my
pictures from my “Am I’m dreaming”
Series. It’s also a self-portrait. When
I’m still practicing post production I
think it’s easier to use myself as a
model because you often have to
retake some of the pictures in a new
angel. But when I feel that I’m really
good at it what I’m doing I will use a
proper models of course. I really liked
my landscape picture from Iceland
too. I went there this summer and

suddenly we saw a sandstorm. It was
just there for a few minutes, it was
amazing!

The pregnant woman with a growing
stomach means something special for
me. It’s my sister waiting my first
nephew. She visited me every month
and I photographed her. The picture
with the little baby on the scale is
three days after my nephew Sixten
was born. My dancing girl and the
scarecrow that is rooted in the soil are
also two of my favorites.
Best job you have done?
As long as I’m in school I focus on
building up a really good portfolio
and making a lot of personal projects.
Actually I think my best picture so far
is my self-portrait on a paper bird. It
contains 12 different pictures!
14 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Sonja Hesslow
My dream is to find
someone to work with
who is creative in the
same way as I am.
Maybe have a company
together with
someone or just being

there for each other. I
think working alone
as a photographer
isn’t the best.
,,
Sonja Hesslow 4
Photography | Gothenburg, Sweden
Email: 
Website: 
Facebook/sonjahesslowphotography
Sonja Hesslow
What is your favorite piece of
equipment?
I have so many. I think one is my
Wacom board! It’s much easier making
retouch and you get a better feeling. I
just bought Elinchrome Quadra
To-Go-Set, flashes I can bring wherever
I want. I think they are going to be my
favorites too! And of course my
Macbook Pro, it would be impossible to
work without it.

What other form of art would you be
interested in working with?
In the future I want to learn to retouch
in 3D, it seems so much fun! I wish I was
a good illustrator too.

Anything else you want to share?

My dream is to find someone to work
with who is creative in the same way as
I am. Maybe have a company together
with someone or just being there for
each other. I think working alone as a
photographer isn’t the best. Then you
have to make all the hard work alone
and celebrate alone. It’s also easier to
find a solution if you can discuss it.
Everything is funnier if you work
together.
16 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Sonja Hesslow
Do you always have your camera on
you?
I wish I did but it’s too heavy. In fact,
those pictures I love to make I tend to
have to plan for, so even if I carry my
camera with me at all times, it wouldn’t
help much. I always have my iPhone
with me so I can still capture the
memories of my life. 

What do you do in the spare time?
I love spending time with my boyfriend
and family. They make me happy and
that has helped me to be more creative
and live a happy life. One year ago I got
a nephew and I love spending time with
him and seeing him grow up. I also like

to decorate my home in creative ways
and love just walking around in second
hand stores to buy cheap things and
give them a makeover. It feels like
finding treasures and the best is that I
can make my home unique in just the
way I want. 

What else would you have done apart
from art? 
Before I decide to be a photographer I
had my thoughts of being a preschool
teacher, but I’m very glad I changed my
mind.



November 2012 www.artflowmagazine.com 17
Jaiyeola Adeboye
Born to civil servant parents in the largest west African City; Ibadan. NigeriaHe
grew up to like drawing and music; but he chose drumming instead of singing.
Adeboye went to one of the best secondary school in Ibadan; Government
College Ibadan then to the School of Science Oke-Bola. He went on to study
Paper and Wood Technology at the School of Forestry, Jericho, Ibadan, then
finally to the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Ogun State. He never
had a formal training on the softwares he uses but first came across CorelDraw
in the 2005 and Photoshop after. Since then, he has being exploring creative art.
Thanks for sharing your time with us.
Can you tell us more about yourself?
I was always at the top of my class in

Arts. I love every aspect/types of art
and design; I am a textile designer,
publisher (to be), pop and graphic
artist. I have worked as graphic artist
with Complete Fashion Magazine, Karis
Magazine and TheNet Magazine. I also
make t-shirt designs, Adire (tie & dye),
Batik painting etc. I now live in Lagos,
Nigeria. 


Did you do things that made you think
you will be a designer when you grow
up?
I have always excelled in arts since my
early days in school, won my first award
while in the junior secondary school for
creating art materials for a publication
on HIV prevention. In fact, I have been
drawing all my life but I never thought I
would be a designer/artist.

How did you decide to pursue a career
in design? 
I got admitted into the university to
study Agricultural Extension & Rural
Development while doing my art jobs
by the side. A day came when I got to
know there is a course that has
something to do with

designing/drawing, I did some findings
about the course and I liked everything
about it.
What inspires your creativity?
A quiet environment, the internet also
helps me a lot; I browse other people’s
works.

Tell us about your pop art designs?
Sometimes last year while browsing

m/ I saw a pop art of the author
(Terence Sambo) and a link to the artist
(Marco Santaniello). I went through his
works and style, became friends with
him on Facebook so as to see more of
his works. 

I visit his website every day for over
three months and before I knew it I
started drawing digitally. My drawings
were not very good at first; I continued
and discovered new ways and tools to
use. My designs are made of colours,
Fine lines with excruciating details. I
started with very colourful backgrounds
but gradually I kept the tone down.
Right now we are very few doing pop
arts in my country; Nigeria that’s if there
is anyone. 


How far are you going with it?
Very well, I showcase my works on my
website drawing celebs and random
people for free, I get to do
commissioned jobs for a fee through
that. I have done magazine cover,
album covers, t-shirt designs, and
various online graphic materials.
The following session I changed from
Agricultural Extension to Textile Design. 

Tell us about educational background?
Any influence on your designs?
I have a degree in Textile Design. I read a
lot of design related articles online and
have become a fan of every good
designer, I love Andy Warhol, Marco
Santaniello, Christian Audigier’s works
and a whole lot of others

How would you describe your style? 
Simple, colourful and a lot of lines.


Jaiyeola Adeboye
NORMALLY, ONE SHOULD
KNOW HOW TO DRAW AND
USE SOFTWARES LIKE
CORELDRAW AND

PHOTOSHOP.
,,
How far are you going with it?
Very well, I showcase my works on my
website drawing celebs and random
people for free; I get to do
commissioned jobs for a fee through
that. I have done magazine cover,
album covers, t-shirt designs, and
various online graphic materials.

Taking into consideration your subject
of art, how do you work around these
things to make a good art?
Well lit (not too bright) high resolution
pictures and a quiet place (I draw
mostly at night)

Any technical skills required? What
softwares do you use? 
Normally, one should know how to
draw and use softwares like
CorelDraw and Photoshop.

What influence your choice on who to
draw?
Someone with a huge fan base
20 www.artflowmagazine.com November 2012
Jaiyeola Adeboye
What is your favourite colour?

Blue

How has your works improved over
time?
I never stopped, I never get tired even
when nobody was paying, I keep
drawing and what you do
consistently, you will improve on. I
read a lot of art/design materials
online and also visits a lot of design
websites. I have been drawing pop
arts well over a year so it is only
normal for me to improve.

What is the best advice you have ever
received?
Find a job you love and you’ll never
work for the rest of your life.

Who is your role model? Any creative
influence on your works?
Role models; Christian Audigier, Nigo.
Creative influence: Marco santaniello
What do you do in the spare time?
Sleeping.

Anything else you want to share? 
Am working on my solo exhibition
sometimes next year.


Wish you all the best.


Lagos, Nigeria | Pop Artist
Email: 
Website: www.dareboyejaiyeola.com.ng
Twitter: @boyejaiyeola
Facebook: dareboyejaiyeola

Jaiyeola Adeboye 