CHARCOAL pencil artist Simbarashe Butaumocho says the arts industry offers great employment opportunities ahead of other disciplines if taken seriously.
“I believe that if government comes in full force to support art through creating markets and a conducive environment for artistic mindsets it will help to boost the country’s economy,” he told NewsDay Life & Style.
A third-year medical student at the University of Zimbabwe, Butaumocho said history and reality had it that drawing and painting were linked to anatomy which was the study of the human proportions, muscles and skeletal system.
This understanding made him become more focused and dedicated to producing enticing and soothing artworks.
“That is how the talented artists of old used to paint realistic paintings. They were anatomists and some of which went as far as studying dead bodies (so I have heard),” he noted.
Butaumocho became famous after his paintings and pictures of artists like comedienne Madam Boss, Goshvines and poet Mr Loyal went viral on social media platforms.
He likes supporting artists and making friendships while generating leads.
“The arts industry provides the greatest employment opportunities and upon completion of my medical studies I intend to advance into animation. My artwork is charcoal pencil art and painting,” he said.
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“My art is unique because it shows a true reflection of one’s personality. Recently, I worked on illustration projects for renowned authors Ignatius Mabasa and Rutendo Victoria Makumbe.”
He believes art reflects people’s identity and their aspirations in life.
“I wish art could be made a compulsory subject from primary to secondary school in preparation for open mindedness and relevance to several emerging employment opportunities locally and the world at large,” Butaumocho said.
From his artistic experience, art needs patience and parents should support their children with adequate resources in the form of paints, pencils, paper and mentorship among other things like access to the internet.
“I drew inspiration from my elder brother who taught me how to draw pictures using charcoal pencil. This ended up taking the attention of my younger brother who eventually converted to my rival artist,” he said.
“In a way, I can say we ended up competing to produce the best drawings and paintings. I entered the money-spinning zone of art when I was waiting to get into university and from there, I have been balancing schoolwork and art very well.”
