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- Worlasi Agbalenyo
Worlasi Agbalenyo
"I am a quiet person and can sit peacefully just observing nature. As I do this, I am able to imagine a lot of things which I translate into objects with the materials I find. Some of my ideas are successful but others do not work out. I never give up on trying new things. It was out of this adventure that I came up with the use of sand designs on wooden frames. I also use the same method on paper to create greeting cards, etc. <br><br>
"I use sese wood, glue, sand, acrylic paint and paper for my designs. My creations were appreciated by shoppers who purchased them and they made suggestions to improve on the items I created. This encouraged me to continue and incorporate their ideas in my creations. <br><br>
"Then, in October of 2010, my workshop caught fire and all my tools and working materials burned up. I lost everything! The only thing I didn't lose was my talent. <br><br>
"The loss affected me so much, but I was determined not to let this cripple me entirely. I borrowed tools and money from friends to get the colors, and began working under a tree to start all over again. <br><br>
"Knowing how well people appreciated my designs gave me some inner surety that if I were able to produce some works, they would sell. It was on this inner conviction that I borrowed the money. <br><br>
"Thankfully, the new designs began to sell very well. This helped me to pay off my debt, and I used the capital that was left to create new items. Novica-featured artisan Ben Agbee introduced me to Novica and I'm glad. Realizing the level of exposure here and the larger market for my designs through Novica gives me great joy. <br><br>
"I remember a time when I was working on my postcards and unfortunately, the paint I was using slipped out of my hands and splashed on other cards lying on the table. Initially I got angry with myself and was wondering whether to discard everything. I didn't want the cards to go to waste. What I did was sit down quietly just observing the cards. I came to the conclusion that I would not discard them - I would go ahead with what I intended doing. The final finish looked very beautiful, as the splash of paint on the cards gave them a different look. These postcards happened to sell out more quickly than others. I learned a lesson through that experience, that when we make a mistake, we should not just fold our hands and not try anything else. The best might come out of the next attempt. <br><br>
"It's been my desire to open an art center to train needy young people with this skill, which they can practice to earn a living. I'm hoping to put up a new workshop and start to train interested people this skill I have acquired."
