creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
Samia Ajayi
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Hello there! My name is Samia Ajayi and I live in London, United Kingdom with my husband. I own a small business named “Soul Forgiven” that I recently started. The name “Soul Forgiven” was inspired by some of the few words I said after the Lord had saved me. Back then, I immediately understood that my soul was forgiven, and I was given such peace and a new heart. I create botanical watercolor illustrations and turn them into greeting cards, postcards, bookmarks, wall art and more stationery. I’m inspired by the Bible and nature, as I find creation amazing to observe and beautifully pointing to its maker. My goal is to spread good news through art and point everyone to the gospel of Christ.
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @soulforgiven
Etsy: www.soulforgiven.etsy.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @soulforgiven
Etsy: www.soulforgiven.etsy.com
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I’ve always enjoyed painting ever since I can remember, but it was when I started making Christian Christmas cards back in 2016 for friends and family that I noticed how much other people enjoyed my art. I had just been saved in 2015 and wanted to use my creative gift for the Lord by spreading the gospel through art. Something I hadn’t seen much of.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
The idea of selling my art came after I saw a lack of Christians in the creative industry, particularly in my area. I live in one of the biggest metropolitan cities of the world, where people from abroad travel to study art. Although there is much beautiful art here, there is very little art pointing to the Lord, who created everything for His glory. This is where I took a leap of faith and started selling art that can point to the Lord and be a light to others.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
A few challenges I face is explaining how much work, thought, time and money goes into what I do. Sometimes people think that because I do what I love, it is always easy and doesn’t take much effort, but actually the opposite is true. When I do what I love, I strive to do my best and provide the highest quality of products possible. That takes extra effort, planning and production time. Another challenge that comes to mind is when people don’t believe that products which reflect Christ could actually sell. I’ve had someone say to me that my ideas are nice but my products won’t sell because people don’t want to buy Christian products. This only made me work even harder.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I usually base my drawings around a bible verse, song or quote I was reading that captured me and hopefully can do the same to others. Then I paint nature to accompany it. I believe the creation of nature is one of the most fascinating things. I mean, think about it. A few tiny seeds can turn into a bed of beautiful flowers with some sun, soil and water. Amazing! I also pray and ask the Lord that my art can encourage others. I find that directly talking to Him is the best encounter.
I’ve always enjoyed painting ever since I can remember, but it was when I started making Christian Christmas cards back in 2016 for friends and family that I noticed how much other people enjoyed my art. I had just been saved in 2015 and wanted to use my creative gift for the Lord by spreading the gospel through art. Something I hadn’t seen much of.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
The idea of selling my art came after I saw a lack of Christians in the creative industry, particularly in my area. I live in one of the biggest metropolitan cities of the world, where people from abroad travel to study art. Although there is much beautiful art here, there is very little art pointing to the Lord, who created everything for His glory. This is where I took a leap of faith and started selling art that can point to the Lord and be a light to others.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
A few challenges I face is explaining how much work, thought, time and money goes into what I do. Sometimes people think that because I do what I love, it is always easy and doesn’t take much effort, but actually the opposite is true. When I do what I love, I strive to do my best and provide the highest quality of products possible. That takes extra effort, planning and production time. Another challenge that comes to mind is when people don’t believe that products which reflect Christ could actually sell. I’ve had someone say to me that my ideas are nice but my products won’t sell because people don’t want to buy Christian products. This only made me work even harder.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I usually base my drawings around a bible verse, song or quote I was reading that captured me and hopefully can do the same to others. Then I paint nature to accompany it. I believe the creation of nature is one of the most fascinating things. I mean, think about it. A few tiny seeds can turn into a bed of beautiful flowers with some sun, soil and water. Amazing! I also pray and ask the Lord that my art can encourage others. I find that directly talking to Him is the best encounter.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
I love watercolor paintings. I use watercolors to paint all my paintings as I never fully know how things will turn out. Not in a weird way of course, but it’s easy to play around with water and use different techniques to get various results. I also really enjoy making crafty 3D-like greeting cards using a technique called “quilling” with paper for a custom card for someone.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes. I come from a family where many are either musicians or have studied art and create commission art pieces. My aunts used to own a party supply store where they made all the decoration themselves by hand and often times had custom made orders. I was quite young but tried to help out as much as possible, and that’s when I also noticed that creating things with my hands was so fun and rewarding.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I think, as the Bible points to the gospel over and over again, this really is my core message in all of my art. Particularly now, in these difficult and unprecedented times we’re living in, I think the Lord wants me and others to share the good news and bring hope and forgiveness of sins to all nations.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
I’d say, yes and no. You do have to spend a bit more money when starting out and invest in your “foundations”, as I’d like to call it, meaning your most important materials. For example, if you buy a high-quality set of watercolors or acrylic paint, it could last you months, if not years. You would use your paint on many if not all of your paintings and therefore you get your money’s worth and it works out cheaper in the long run.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I started playing around with different painting styles until I discovered “my” style and stuck to it. I think it’s what makes each creative unique and memorable. My style is a combination of botanical, nature inspired watercolor paintings and stationery items with a white background (most of the time) to give it a little minimalistic feel. I think people enjoy when an artist sticks to their unique style and stays true to it, as that is the case for me.
Hopefully, if the Lord wills, I’d love my products to be sold on other buying platforms, online marketplaces, stationery shops, coffee shops and more. Also, I’d love to collaborate with other amazing artists to continue spreading light in the creative industry.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I’d say it is important when starting out to take 1 or 2 business courses. There are some great ones out there now on the internet that give you the basic step by steps on how you can start a small business and grow it. Another tip I’d say, is to use your social media and engage with your followers. If you want your products to sell, it’s important to know what your audience will be most likely buying. Maybe do a poll or questionnaire through Instagram and write down the results. This can give you more guidance on becoming productive.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
The number one advice would be to pray. Pray about your artwork, creativeness and business. Commit your ways unto Him and He will guide you according to His will. This is what has helped me have peace about my business in knowing God is in control. Another advice I’d like to share, is to care about your products’ quality more so than quantity following by excellent customer service. If you create wonderful high-quality products that customers will love, it will sell and speak for itself. If you then top it off with excellent customer service and create that very pleasant customer experience, you will see returning customers in your shop.
I love watercolor paintings. I use watercolors to paint all my paintings as I never fully know how things will turn out. Not in a weird way of course, but it’s easy to play around with water and use different techniques to get various results. I also really enjoy making crafty 3D-like greeting cards using a technique called “quilling” with paper for a custom card for someone.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes. I come from a family where many are either musicians or have studied art and create commission art pieces. My aunts used to own a party supply store where they made all the decoration themselves by hand and often times had custom made orders. I was quite young but tried to help out as much as possible, and that’s when I also noticed that creating things with my hands was so fun and rewarding.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I think, as the Bible points to the gospel over and over again, this really is my core message in all of my art. Particularly now, in these difficult and unprecedented times we’re living in, I think the Lord wants me and others to share the good news and bring hope and forgiveness of sins to all nations.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
I’d say, yes and no. You do have to spend a bit more money when starting out and invest in your “foundations”, as I’d like to call it, meaning your most important materials. For example, if you buy a high-quality set of watercolors or acrylic paint, it could last you months, if not years. You would use your paint on many if not all of your paintings and therefore you get your money’s worth and it works out cheaper in the long run.
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
I started playing around with different painting styles until I discovered “my” style and stuck to it. I think it’s what makes each creative unique and memorable. My style is a combination of botanical, nature inspired watercolor paintings and stationery items with a white background (most of the time) to give it a little minimalistic feel. I think people enjoy when an artist sticks to their unique style and stays true to it, as that is the case for me.
Hopefully, if the Lord wills, I’d love my products to be sold on other buying platforms, online marketplaces, stationery shops, coffee shops and more. Also, I’d love to collaborate with other amazing artists to continue spreading light in the creative industry.
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I’d say it is important when starting out to take 1 or 2 business courses. There are some great ones out there now on the internet that give you the basic step by steps on how you can start a small business and grow it. Another tip I’d say, is to use your social media and engage with your followers. If you want your products to sell, it’s important to know what your audience will be most likely buying. Maybe do a poll or questionnaire through Instagram and write down the results. This can give you more guidance on becoming productive.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
The number one advice would be to pray. Pray about your artwork, creativeness and business. Commit your ways unto Him and He will guide you according to His will. This is what has helped me have peace about my business in knowing God is in control. Another advice I’d like to share, is to care about your products’ quality more so than quantity following by excellent customer service. If you create wonderful high-quality products that customers will love, it will sell and speak for itself. If you then top it off with excellent customer service and create that very pleasant customer experience, you will see returning customers in your shop.