Fine artist Masana is eager to make a name for herself

LIMPOPO- Self-taught artist Masana Rafuma is building her brand from scratch.

The up-and-coming fine artist from Tshituni Tsha Fhasi village in Vhembe is eager to make a name for herself in the industry and when she picks up a paper and pencil, eye-catching art is created.

The 29-year-old is a pencil, oil pastel, acrylic paint and watercolour artist, who says her passion for drawing started when she was nine years old after one of her teachers asked the class to draw an animal of their choice as homework.

“I came home and asked my mother to help me. She drew a fish, and as a child I was amazed by how real the fish looked. I wanted to be as good as she was. From that day onwards, I started drawing cartoons from TV shows. In high school, I participated in art competitions. Even though I never won anything, the passion stayed with me.”

She said her inspiration to become an artist comes from many experiences.

“Firstly, there is the desire to create something perfect. I grew up hearing a lot of ‘not being good enough’ and these words motivated me to create something that was perfect. I found joy in realising that with just a small wipe of an eraser, I can fix the mistakes I made and change something to be better. The never-ending desire to create and share my feelings through art, drawing something that brings a smile and connects the next person to the art without being vocal about is, is enormous.”

She said art has given her the ability to provide for herself and her family.

“Growing up in a poor family and being raised by a single mother was never easy. There were days when I had to go to school without having eaten. This made me grow up a little faster than I should have, and I did not have time to be a child, but I soon became more responsible than the children of my age. Drawing has been my escape from hunger. The little I get has been my bread and butter,” she said.

She told CV that in the beginning, drawing was just a hobby, but after doing some research, she realised there are more benefits to the art.

“In 2017, I attended an exhibition in Thohoyandou and got so much inspiration from other artists. I soon started watching YouTube tutorials to learn different techniques and how to improve my drawing. In 2019 after graduating, I started drawing for a living since I was fresh out of university, unemployed, and seeking a job.”

Drawing also helped her throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, she said. “I was going through a phase where my life felt stuck and had no luck with jobs, and everyone around me felt I was not trying hard enough. It was drawing that got me through those tough times and kept me alive even though I was not making much. The most challenging thing for me throughout my journey as an artist has been the feeling of not being good enough, comparing my work with that of others and feeling I am not good enough for the industry.”

She said growing up in a community where one is only regarded as successful “if you become a doctor, an accountant or a lawyer”, was hard as it took years of convincing people that art can also bring in money.

“My secret to success is to dream big, to love what you do, and to work hard. Those are the fuels that get my engine running. Art has given me something to look forward to, something to be proud of, and the freedom to express myself.

My goal is to create at least one piece of artwork every day, and to make a good living from it. I want to be an inspiration to those who have little hope left, and those who think they’re not good enough. I want them to know it is not how you start the race, but how you finish it that matters,” she concluded.