Giving joy away

I met the most amazing man last Friday night.

He spoke with passion, was driven toward his goals and dedicated to leading a meaningful life.

Timothy Orikri exhibited his art at the Global Cafe the first two weeks in August and he won me over as a fan on First Friday. We ran the story of Orikri in SE Live July 29. His art was spectacular on the page, but in person it's downright stunning. They make you stop and stare and look and think.

And so does Orikri.

He has a story about each of his paintings, many of which he named before he started. Orikri's paintings are like diary entries into his life. Buying a piece of his art is like buying a piece of his life.

Orikri also donated several pieces from his show to area not-for-profits, a habit he's gripped tightly over the years. He said he cannot in good conscience keep his paintings.

He thinks of them almost as currency. If he cannot afford to donate money to a charity, he will paint for them so they may have inspiration in a richly colorful image.

"It gives me joy to give something away when it is used right," he told me in his beautiful Nigerian accent.

His paintings themselves impress joy enough for me.

With the detail and perfection found in his paintings, you'd never guess that he creates about three a day.

Orikri says he has tried to cultivate the mentality that he must accomplish something new every day. That way he is always growing, always evolving, always learning.

I think we could all learn a little from him.

Orikri will be speaking, painting and making friends at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri.