ADEBANJI ALADE: MY ART, MY PASSION FOR SKETCHING

The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career 5

coloured pencil gouache ink The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career watercolour wax crayons

Number 5-Drizzly Day on Fleet Street



Some people may want to know why I am featuring these works. It's a way of documenting some of the works that I have done in the past few years before I celebrated my 40th Birthday in February. I'll be featuring these 40 works and some stories of how they were made, where they were exhibited and the effect they had on my career.

This was piece captured on Fleet...

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The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career 4

AFRO SERIES charcoal dust graphite oil base pencil people SERIES TheStory Behind 40 works that changed my career watercolour paper

Number 4- Afro XIX



Afro XIX, Graphite, 13.5" x 9.5", Charcoal and Oil Base pencil, 2009



This is drawing was number 19 of my current Afro series. My passion for graphite and charcoal some how takes over here, as I really tried to express myself, and because it was not a commission, I felt a little bit on the free side. The emphasis of this series is the beauty of black natural hair and the model is a...

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The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career 3

composition figurative figures oil on canvas people The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career

Number 3- Pensive II


I wanted a painting that would remind me of the pensive nights that I used have while organizing pool competitions for residents of St Mungo's(A charity that hoses homeless people) at Cedars Road in Clapham London. This particular hostel has just been shut down, this week after years of running, which makes me cherish this piece, even more. These pool competitions were a means...

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The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career 2

oil on canvas people public transportation rush hour Southeastern trains The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career

Number 2- Internal Congestion

Continuing the works that changed my career this is Number 2. A painting called, "Internal Congestion"- This painting was painted in 2008 and it was around the time I had just left my full time job and was cruising into Art full time. I wanted to do a painting that captured the feeling one gets in a congested train during the Rush Hour. Also, I wanted to picture some...

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The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career 1

commission oil on canvas portraits The Story Behind 40 works that changed my career

Number 1-A portrait for Toby Sharp and his wife.


On this day last month, I clocked 40, and I shared 40 works that changed my career on Facebook. But on this blog I have decided to show the works and the stories behind them in the days ahead, so stay tuned!



Mr & Mrs T. Sharp, 80 x 100cm, Oil on Canvas, 2008


This portrait came as a commission from the groom's father, who wanted a great wedding gift for...

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