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INTERVIEW: How Jefferson ditched Degree job for Art as a source of living

Jefferson Karugaba "JeffArt Creations" poses with some of the pencil portraits, a work of his hands and talent (Photo/Jefferson Karugaba)

In a world where traditional career paths often overshadow creative pursuits, Jefferson Karugaba, alias JeffArt Creations, stands as a beacon of inspiration. A Kampala-based talented pencil portrait artist, Jefferson turned his back on a conventional business administration career to pursue his true calling: Art.

In this interview, Jefferson sat down with DailyExpress‘ Remmy Asiteza and shared his Artistic Journey from the world of corporate jobs to settling for art as his source of income.

The Road Less Traveled: From Business Degree to Art

“Art has always been a part of me,” Jefferson shared, speaking with an air of confidence grounded in authenticity. “I stopped studying art after A-level, even though I excelled at it. I got an A in art and planned to pursue it further, but societal pressures, such as the expectation to pursue a “secure” career and skepticism about art as a viable profession, led me to choose business administration at Makerere University.”

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“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I felt compelled to follow what society deemed practical at the time. I graduated, but the job market was tough, and I wasn’t fulfilled,” he adds.

However, after graduating, Jefferson found that the conventional job market did not fulfil him. “It was tough finding a job, and the cost of living was rising,” he recalls, adding that this was the moment he decided to revisit his artistic roots. “I realized I needed to find something that could sustain me within the city. Jobs were scarce, and the cost of living wasn’t waiting for me. So, I started drawing portraits and sharing them on social media. The response was overwhelming.”

The Art of Drawing: Skill, Patience, and Perfection

Jefferson’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in his family and it is something that runs in their DNA. “Our late father was an artist, and my elder brother, who studied art at university, taught us. Almost all my siblings have some artistic talent,” he beams. “It’s a family thing.”

Specializing in pencil portraits, Jefferson’s tools may seem like ordinary pencils like HB and 6B, but the results are extraordinary. “The magic lies in the details,” he says. “Every line, every shadow matters. A floral-patterned shirt takes more time than a plain one, but the outcome is always worth it. Art demands patience and commitment.”

A work of Jefferson Karugaba under his JeffArt Creations label

For him, every detail matters, including the quality of reference photos. “Resolution is crucial,” Jefferson explains, adding; “A blurry or compressed image can make it hard to capture details. I’d rather advise a client to find a better photo than compromise on quality.”

Today, JeffArt Creations, as his brand is profoundly called, is celebrated for his intricate pencil portraits that capture more than just faces they tell stories of emotion, character, and life.

Pencil art is a type of visual art that uses pencils, charcoal, or other dry materials to create drawings or designs on paper, canvas, or other surfaces.

Challenges in the Art World: Overcoming the Hurdles

While his journey may seem smooth, Jefferson acknowledges the challenges. “I’ve faced disappointments,” he admits. “There are times when clients ghost you after you’ve invested time and materials into a piece. But I’ve learned to focus on the positive. Each completed work is an opportunity for someone to recommend me to another client.”

Time management was once a major struggle as he recalls; “At first, art was just a side hustle while I was employed. I had to divide my time between work and my art. It was exhausting,” he recalls. “But over time, I realized I needed to focus fully on my passion. I made art my full-time job.”

Another hurdle Jefferson recalls is the lack of capital. “Getting the right resources to establish myself was tough,” he admits. “Working from home made it harder to be taken seriously. When you’re starting out, it’s hard to get clients to trust you. But I’m working on getting my own space, a commercial showroom and studio.”

Jefferson’s Turning Point

Despite the challenges, Jefferson is proud of the success he has achieved including the brand he has built which speaks for itself. One of the highlights of his career is having the chance to work with well-known figures in the country.

Jefferson with Ministry of Health PS, Dr Diana Atwine

“The day I was commissioned to create a portrait of the First Lady, Janet Museveni, that was the turning point for me, it was such an honor,” he recalls. “The order came through the office of the Vice President. I was so excited to work on it, and when I saw the photos of the delivery, I was thrilled. Knowing that my work was displayed in such a prominent office was amazing.”

Jefferson has drawn portraits of almost all the “big people” in this country, from ministers, government officials, and pastors, to well-known social media influencers. “There was a time I created a piece for Uwera, an X influencer, She loved it so much, that she made a video about it. That was such an exciting moment for me,” he adds with a smile.

Jefferson with the Portrait of the First Lady Mama Janet

Start Small, Dream Big

As Jefferson reflects on his success, he offers advice to young people looking to follow their passions. “If you discover what you’re good at, don’t wait. Start right away. You don’t need a big budget to begin,” he advises. “When I started, I didn’t have much, but I made use of the internet. Social media is a powerful tool for marketing. Use it to your advantage.”

He stresses the importance of confidence and discipline. “Believe in your skills. If you’re good at something, people will recognize that, and you’ll start to build a reputation. Always be positive, and don’t let setbacks discourage you. Keep learning, keep improving, and trust that opportunities will come.”

“Most of my clients come through referrals,” he explains. “I always strive to deliver on time and ensure quality work. That’s how trust is built.”

Future Aspects

Like any other business or career, there should always be a vision and for Jefferson, he is looking ahead at setting up his own art gallery to expand his artistic journey. “I want to diversify my work. There’s so much potential in art beyond portraits interior design, nature, and still-life paintings,” Jefferson says.

He also hopes, to one day, open up a training centre for artists who want to succeed in their work. I hope to create something bigger.”

See of Jefferson’s Pencil Portraits

For Jefferson, art isn’t just a job; it’s his calling. “Art is who I am. It’s not just about making a living it’s about making an impact,” he concludes.

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