May 9, 2022
Voyage LA: Local Stories
Today we’d like to introduce you to Ugo Agoruah.
Hi Ugo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
One thing I can say that has stayed consistent since even my earliest memory is the fact that I loved staring at good imagery. I would compile them on my old desktop, fill my PSP memory cards with saved images from the Internet, email them to myself if I found something on a computer that wasn’t my own. With that came a natural admiration of the creators of them. The Carravagios, Raphaels, the Rubens, their artistry and draftsmanship helped develop my model aesthetic as to what I conceived as good art. Put that with an ancestral familiarity of creativity, artistry, and craftsmanship, I was given the will to express my veneration for this good imagery by learning to create them myself. Young adulthood made me realize first-hand how my art could be a healing and inspirational force for growth and discovery of self. What other thought could I be left with but using my art inspire veneration, healing, and awe in others too. Influenced by this fast-paced world, I felt a need to find a way to bring stories, messages, and new learnings to the world visually faster than I could physically create myself. This overflow led me into the perfect opportunity to give reverence to contemporary artists through curating exhibitions and experiences that highlight the crossroads varying dimensions of good imagery.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Creating is the easy part, managing time and trying to contain sudden inspiration to work on your piece in the middle of another piece or two or three is a different story. Prioritizing was a big learning curve for me, especially when motivation for one piece was waning, I’d get paralyzed mulling over what I should working on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Ugo Fine Arts is the name of my evolving art business. I am commissioned work ranging from portrait painting, photography, writing, modeling, etc. I allow my various avenues of expression influence each other, using one skill set to multiply the presence of another. Currently, I hold three slots a month open for the commissioning of oil paintings, which start at $350 for an 11x16in canvas. I also hold space for 11x14in marker sketches and full renderings, starting at $80. Payment plans for all services are available.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
In the time since covid-19 started, I’ve learned that even with the chaos that is going on outside of you, holding firm to the peace inside of you is possible. You don’t have to let chaos on the outside seep into your being. Keeping your boundaries strong for the things that you hold dear to you, which should include yourself and your time, is of utmost importance if you want to stay true to yourself.
