However, I became fascinated with fine art after I met Walter Kravitz, a professor in painting at the university in 1980. After the meeting, I began to take elective courses in painting. He was my early influence.

After I obtained my masters, I was highly enthusiastic and excited about being an artist.

I went to New York to visit galleries and museums.

During one of those visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see great masterpieces worth millions, I spoke with the taxi driver on art.

He was a Nigerian and he questioned me about the role of art. He told me that in Africa, you get people starving but yet here in New York, people are paying millions for paintings. What can the paintings do?

I was taken aback and confused. There was truth in his statements. I almost went back to graphic art.

I questioned myself about the validity of art. After a state of confusion, I found an answer. Why don't I use art as a medium of communication?

I can use art to tell the world how I feel.

This led to my involvement with a group of activists in Washington, D.C. We participated in a few exhibitions with our "Protest" paintings.