Naya: A Natural Artist from Ghana

Naya, a self-proclaimed "natural artist," was born and raised in Ghana, where his artistic journey began not in a classroom but through a deep, innate connection with his craft.

He never attended high school, instead finding his education in the vibrant colors and textures of the world around him.

Naya honed his skills through the years, mastering palette techniques, traditional applications, and mixed media, earning him a spot in the esteemed Accra Gallery by the beach.

Despite this recognition, Naya's journey has been anything but easy. Displaced several times throughout his career, he struggled to provide a stable environment for his family.

 Although his partnership with the gallery seemed promising, offering him the opportunity to charge premium prices for his work, the lack of travelers and other inexplicable challenges made it difficult to sell his pieces.

Unwilling to give up, Naya began walking the streets with his art, making enough sales to cover his family's day-to-day expenses.

Through all the hardships, Naya remains hopeful and driven, especially when it comes to his son, who shows tremendous promise as an artist.

With a smile lighting up his face, he speaks of his son's talent, proud of the potential he sees. With a heart as big as his smile, Naya often puts his name on others' work, helping fellow artists sell their creations to vendors who cater to foreigners. 

His dream is to one day establish a space where he can train and uplift other artists, sharing the joy he feels whenever he creates.

"When people see my art," Naya says, "I want them to feel the joy I had in my heart when creating the piece."