Artist Biography
My name is Brian Akitoye; founder of BOAartsGallery, and formal project director of Akod Press Nigeria Limited, and presently the Artist Club creator on Nextdoor.com. I am from Nigerian in West Africa, one of five offspring I presently reside in Oakland California, currently working in a Pediatric hospital Setting. Self-taught artist motivated out of love for what began as drawing in sands, coloring books, drawing on anything I can draw on, and discovering the creativity within. Nature played a bigger role in my vision and enhancement of self-confidence to express my ideas on paper and canvas. Our mission is to contribute to the communities by serving others in any way or form that we can and at the same time exchanging ideas and learning new skills.
Also, my set goal objective is to be a better provider for my children, grandchildren, and myself by improving and developing myself. Everyone has weaknesses and strengths; however, discipline should be the focus with clear directives. Delayed gratification provides opportunities for advancement and educational self-enrichment, learning is a continuous process by which you can develop knowledge. With an open growth mind set, interaction with co-artists and members enhances basic knowledge reflecting acquired skills that become a habit for learning. My set goals with objectives propel self-motivation and the driving force that gets me up in the morning, doing what I love doing.
Attended the Pre BA Art & Design course at Jacob Kramer College, Leeds, England from 1977 to 1979 later went to North East London Polytechnic for my BA Hons, in 1980, ran into financial problems and unable to complete my studies. Though in my later years in life, went back to school, graduated from Heald College in California for my Associates with an Emphasis in Network System Administration, which created a hands-on experience in repairing, and re-configuring computers that later became my side job, an addition to my life experiences that I vastly enjoyed.
Later received my Bachelors, in 2016, in Early Childhood Education Administration, from Ashford University, my initial goal is to have a Daycare facility; however, I fell short of that, I began to contemplate a career change, eventually decided to enroll at the same University, graduated in 2018 with Master of Arts in Organizational Management.
Above all dreams and life obstacles, am at my best whenever I can express my emotion via drawing, painting which are my comfort zone, and puts me in control of my space without pondering on nonconstructive opinions and critiques about my artistic self-expression. I am an artist by nature, and I am always open to positive criticism for it facilitates growth, I have always enjoyed drawing, doodling, painting, and cartooning, ranging from watercolor, pencil drawing, I also enjoy collecting old relics. My leisure activity includes but is not limited to playing old-school pool and Lawn Tennis.
