Patrick Wilson Art

Published on May 3, 2025

Fine Art Career Curation: A Realism and Abstract Artist in Kenya

As a Kenyan fine artist specializing in realism and abstract art, your creative voice speaks through portraiture, wildlife, scenic landscapes, and expressive abstract pieces. Your choice of mediums—watercolours, acrylics, and oil paints—gives you a versatile edge in both traditional and modern markets.

Objective: Establish a sustainable, internationally recognised fine art career rooted in Kenyan identity while appealing to both local and global collectors.

1. Artistic Focus

Realistic Portraits
Kenyan Wildlife Art
African Landscapes
Abstract Expressionism

2. Preferred Mediums

Watercolours
Acrylic Paints
Oil Paints

3. Career Strategy

Online Presence

  • Create a professional website and blog showcasing your portfolio, artist statement, and a shop for original works and prints.
  • Use social media platforms (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook) to share behind-the-scenes, time-lapse videos, and finished artworks with geotags and hashtags like #KenyanArtist, #AfricanArt, #RealismArt, and #WildlifePainting.
  • Offer downloadable wallpapers, digital prints, or NFTS for international reach.

Local & International Exhibition

  • Apply for local gallery exhibitions in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu (e.g., Circle Art Gallery, Red Hill Gallery).
  • Participate in international art fairs and exhibitions such as Art Africa Fair, 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, and Affordable Art Fair.
  • Collaborate with Kenyan embassies abroad to exhibit cultural work internationally.

Art Licensing & Prints

  • License your wildlife and landscape paintings to eco-lodges, hotels, and safari operators across Kenya.
  • Work with local artisans to reproduce your art on hand-crafted items like notebooks, calendars, or textiles.

Teaching and Community Engagement

  • Offer painting workshops, virtual classes, or mentorship for aspiring artists across Kenya and East Africa.
  • Engage in charity art projects, painting murals in community centres, or working with NGOS to raise awareness through art.

4. Sales & Monetization

Use platforms like Etsy, Saatchi Art, and ArtPal to sell originals and prints globally. Set up PayPal, M-Pesa, and Stripe for local and international payments.

5. Branding & Identity

  • Design a logo and consistent visual identity (colours, typography, packaging).
  • Create a unique artist tagline like: "Where Kenyan Realism Meets Abstract Vision."
  • Write a compelling artist bio emphasising your local roots and global ambition.

6. Long-Term Vision

Establish your own studio or gallery space in Kenya that hosts your work and that of emerging East African artists. Consider publishing a coffee-table art book or starting a podcast about the African art scene.

Quote for Inspiration: "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." – Edgar Degas