Olivier KWITONDA, is a Kigali Rwanda based African artist, Founder /CEO at INKINGI ARTS SPACE. The creative process is ever a mystery to me. As a child in Primary three (P3), I remember sitting down with drawing either with drawing pencils or pen. Later in Senior One (S1), I used to keep the teachers’ chalks in my desk and one morning, I took a chalk and I drew on the blackboard. The end results were well-seen and well-executed drawing and that euphoric experience is still a fresh memory. Art is a journey for me, and one that I love. Acrylic and canvas are my favorite mediums with a preference for some other different mediums such as wasted mosquito nets that I sometimes collect from my neighborhood and a vibrant color palette, governed by my mood and the intended atmosphere of each painting. I paint landscapes, Wilde-life, and still- lives, however, portraits have been my favorite subjects the last few years. Each tells a story, shows unique qualities of the person, but it is also a reflection of my own personality. I was a first prize winner at the art exhibition, My Democracy, at the Kigali US Embassy in 2014 and also participated in the 2014 Imago Mundi project through which his art was later exhibited in Venice, Italy. I also assisted to REKA Project Mental Health Professionals on applying Art Therapy organized by Handicap International- Humanity Inclusion consulted by Wihogora Psychosocial Center, which is a project that supports teen mothers in Rutsiro District. This has taught me the value of dialogue and exchange through art, and sparked off in me the need to reflect upon wider social contexts and motivations of art production and consumption. The bottom line is that I have chosen to do art to express my inner self and the way I see through my daily life circumstances as Rwandan, African and global citizen. In my mixed expressionism and impressionism arts, I often offer a social commentary of Rwandan history, the movement of daily life and wildlife nature, and the African artist’s experience. Often, I begin with thumbnail sketches and drawings, quite realistic to begin with, before I simplify the lines, change proportions and transform the whole composition, until I am happy with it. At this stage, I usually decide on the main color scheme as well. So, when I start working on the canvas I usually work fast and forcefully with different layers of paints using a palette knife while building my artwork’s concept, guided by my intuition and emotion, to keep the passion and excitement flowing. Ultimately, I look for emotion in my paintings. Even though the color scheme is chosen before I start painting, there is always a room for adventure. Each painting is an unpredictable journey although there is a plan behind it. Palette knife is important to me too, it charges the painting with energy as well as working as a bridge between the painter and the viewer. My palette knife gives a glimpse of the painter’s soul and character as I end up with playing with colors separating the artwork’s concept and the background, through my passion and vulnerability. With that there comes out some kind of old effects in my paintings which are making my art very unique and helping many people recognizing my touch and sometimes I get the comments that that makes people willing to see my paintings in person. By leaving a distinctive mark, I open up to the viewer, inviting viewers into my emotional world, and participate in the artistic process. Thus, accepting the viewer as a partner. In short, I believe in the energy, passion and connection an artist puts into the canvas. Personally, I can feel this physically when I paint.