I’ve been making art my whole life, but it wasn’t until 2013 that I really went for it, and by 2015, I was a full-on professional artist. Before that, I was a fashion designer with my own brand—something I grew up around, like it was in my blood. I was younger than everyone working for me, and let’s just say some of them didn’t take me seriously. It got intense, and I was pouring money into something that wasn’t clicking. I knew I needed a change.

So, I traveled to the U.S. to clear my head and figure out what was next. One day, while checking out the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, I had this moment looking at all those incredible works. I said to myself, “I can do this. My art could be here someday.” That stuck with me. Later that night, I started sketching, and out came this character with these big, bold eyes just staring at me. I don’t know why—it just felt right.

When I got back to Ghana, I couldn’t stop thinking about creating. It was like an itch I had to scratch. I drove to an art store, grabbed some supplies, and just started painting. I’d never done it before, but I didn’t care. No YouTube tutorials, no plan—just me and the canvas. The first thing I painted was that character: red skin, those big black eyes. I got lost in it and ended up making three more that week. Something told me to throw them up on Instagram.

Right after I posted, an old friend messaged me, going on about how much she loved them. I figured she was just being nice, but then she called and asked me to send two paintings to her friend who was heading to Nigeria that night. I was curious, so I said sure. When she asked how much, I blurted out “$30” before the call cut off.

A couple weeks later, she called back. Those paintings sold—for $800. I was like, “Are you serious?!” I couldn’t believe it until I saw the money in my account. That’s when it hit me: I could actually make a living doing what I love, something I’d do for free. I was hooked. I decided right then I wasn’t just going to be an artist—I was going to make waves, get my work out there, and show the world what I’ve got.

So yeah, that’s me—Midichi, a contemporary artist chasing big dreams. It’s been a wild ride, full of surprises, and I’m just getting started. Thanks for being part of it—welcome to my world.