Elijah Olanase

SERIES
"Who Care's If I'm Waiting"

INSPIRED

I am inspired by humanity feelings, nowadays we all going through a lot inside and spend time alone not to escape sometimes, but to return.

I think the hardest thing about adulting is that you literally have to keep going! No matter what mood or situation you're going through.

That’s why I introduced the “white horses” to symbolize “hope, peace and good fortunes”.

Let yourself enjoy this life without freaking out about the next, not everything needs to be perfect to feel peace, keep your heart open, dress well, stay happy, stay present, nobody cares if you’re waiting, because everyone carry their own feelings, so we have to keep on going cause life keeps going.

who cares if I'm waiting “l”

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

who cares if I'm waiting “ll”

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

who cares if I'm waiting “lll”

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

"SURFBOARD"

INSPIRED

A quotes says "If in doubt, paddle out," "Surfing is attitude dancing," and "Live to surf, surf to live"

Your attitude is your surfboard

Life is a wave "l"

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

Life is a wave “ll”

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

Quiet Confidence

Oil and acrylic on canvas

36 by 48 inches

2026

SERIES
Eyèlé Funfun

(White Pigeon)

INSPIRED

I was inspired by true physically, spirituality and emotionally connections between humanity and the pigeons in Africa,

We have a saying in Yoruba proverb says:

———————————————————————

"Eyèlé kii bá onílé jeún

Kó bá onílé mu

Kó dí igbà isoró

Kó sálọ"

Translation in English

"The pigeon does not eat with the landlord

Does not drink with the landlord

For it to desert the landlord

When there's trouble"

———————————————————————

I do understand a lot of things about Pigeons, because my father had a lot of pigeons when we were young, they stayed with us and fed them. We believe in Africa that pigeons are one of the most loyal animals on earth and they always stayed no matter what situations or circumstances.

We usually welcome their presence, as well as sign of peace, good fortune, loyalty, gentleness and Holy Spirit.

This series it’s true story telling from my heritage, showing how loyal and peaceful pigeons stayed in every season and how we Africa welcome their presence with love and peace.

Title- Look how far you've come "l"

Size- 48 by 60 inches

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Inspired- Stop being so hard on yourself, you’ve been through a lot and that is, what led you being so hard on yourself, but I want you to take a moment to look at how resilient you are, look how far you’ve come, not just keep going but remember at any moment you can start over, when you look back remember you made the best decision you could, with the information that you had, so just keep growing, keep learning, keep moving and just forgive yourself for the things that you’re disappointed in yourself about.

Title- Look how far you've come "ll"

Size- 48 by 60 inches

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Inspired- Stop being so hard on yourself, you’ve been through a lot and that is, what led you being so hard on yourself, but I want you to take a moment to look at how resilient you are, look how far you’ve come, not just keep going but remember at any moment you can start over, when you look back remember you made the best decision you could, with the information that you had, so just keep growing, keep learning, keep moving and just forgive yourself for the things that you’re disappointed in yourself about.

Title- Look how far you've come "lll"

Size- 48 by 48 inches

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Inspired- Stop being so hard on yourself, you’ve been through a lot and that is, what led you being so hard on yourself, but I want you to take a moment to look at how resilient you are, look how far you’ve come, not just keep going but remember at any moment you can start over, when you look back remember you made the best decision you could, with the information that you had, so just keep growing, keep learning, keep moving and just forgive yourself for the things that you’re disappointed in yourself about.

Title- Peace be unto you "ll"

Size- 36 by 48 inches

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Inspired- May peace be unto you, it’s not just as a wish or words but it’s a gift you give yourself and others in every moment because when you choose peace, it touches everyone around you.

Series- This series it’s true story telling from my heritage, showing how loyal and peaceful pigeons stayed in every season and how we Africa welcome their presence with love and peace.

Title- Peace be unto you

Size- 36 by 48 inches

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Inspired- May peace be unto you, it’s not just as a wish or words but it’s a gift you give yourself and others in every moment because when you choose peace, it touches everyone around you.

Series- This series it’s true story telling from my heritage, showing how loyal and peaceful pigeons stayed in every season and how we Africa welcome their presence with love and peace.

"BROTHERS & SISTERS"

INSPIRED

Brothers and sisters series based on humanity relationship between brothers and sisters spiritually, emotionally and physically expressions. How they fought, stood and supports for each others with love, sharing faith and believes.

I work with oil paints on canvas, the technique i exploit is thin and thick layers of colors to create expressions, movements and textures on this projects and i make it to be simplicity, not too much or less details.

Men need other men in their lives, who think they are amazing with no competition, no jealousy, no hate, only "I love you, I'm here for you, I believe in you, you got this" kind of energy.

Title- Me and my brother

Size- 48 x 60 inches | 122 x 152 cm

Medium- Oil on canvas

Year- 2025

We may have our differences, but nothing's more important than appreciate ourselves with joyful way for strengthen bonds and create lasting memories for ourselves.

Title- Cheers to good life

Size- 48 x 60 inches | 122 x 152 cm

Medium- Oil on canvas

Year- 202

SERIES
"IGNORANCE OF DIVINE TIMING"

INSPIRED

Àimàsikò "Ignorance of Divine Timing" is rushing us so much in life because we think too much, and we feel too little. Each of my works is not only the visible form, but the invisible pulse - the emotions, the memories of nowadays, our generation are so unhappy, we are rushing so much, we are stressing and worrying so much about the future, to the essence that we forget the present.

Sometimes, we really need to remind ourselves that we only have this one life to live, let's look deeper to see how bless we are, let us calm down ourselves, GOD does not forget anyone because one day we will see and understand why GOD made us wait. Don't be too hard on yourself. Life is beautiful.

Don't rush it.

Title- Aimàsikò "Ignorance of

Divine Timing"

Size- 36 x 42 inches | 92 × 107 cm

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Yoruba proverb says,

"Adániwáye ò gbàgbé enikan; àimàsikò ló ndààmú edá",meaning "The Creator does not forget anyone; ignorance of divine timing troubles humans".

Difficult times may feel endless, but they will surely pass. Building ourselves to become somebody in life takes a lifetime because anything worth having is worth waiting for and always remember that great things take time, so be patient, creator does not forget anyone.

Title- Every man has his own time

Size- 36 x 48 inches | 92 × 122 cm

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Everyone experiences hardship in different ways. Some are fair, and some are tough. Even though sometimes we try so hard to hide everything we're feeling from those who probably need to know our true feelings the most.

Don't compare yourself to others, we all unique and special in our own ways of life, keep remembering that "No one has it all, but everyone has enough" because life is not the same for

everyone, and every man has his own time.

Title- One mind with many thoughts.

Size- 36 x 48 inches | 92 × 122 cm

Medium- Oil and acrylic on canvas

Year- 2025

Sometimes, our thoughts can be the enemy. We need to be careful about our thoughts because we can lose ourselves.

Life can be tough, filled with challenges and difficulties, but it's important to remember that you're not alone in feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

No matter what your situation is, always have faith that things will change because everything keeps changing, and no condition is permanent. Just be patient, accept it, and share love and peace.

.

SERIES
"BANDANA & SCARF"

INSPIRED

I’m so much love in floral and pattern design of muffler, bandana and scarf. Where am from muffler and bandana was once a common style, we called it Big Boy Style, then it’s seem to me like a style or fashion only, because our elder brothers only allowed to used it but now I understand better that Muffler and Bandana it’s not just a style or fashion, it’s a sign of growing up, stage of figuring who you are to become somebody in life.

As well as sign of remained a timeless and versatile symbol of identity, power, culture, protection, religious and style.

Don’t rush Life "Ill"

48 x 48 inches | 122 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

Don’t rush Life "Il"

36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

Don’t rush Life "I"

36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

Don't be perfect, be real.

36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

You become what you think about.
36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

Don't look back. Your life isn't there anymore.

36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm

Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

May all our prayers be answered.

36 x 48 inches | 92 x 122 cm
Oil and acrylic on canvas

2025

SERIES
"THE RAINBOW"
INSPIRED

Rainbow is like a stages of Life, the more we grow, the more our favorite color change, the more we grow, the more we understand Life better. Every colors in rainbow as part in all Human Lives, we all connect to it, we all be taught in school to know and to understand the beauty of Life. Rainbow is unforgettable in every childhood memories, we all felt surprised and joyful when we saw rainbow in the sky.

As well as covenant between GOD and the Earth, sign of hope, mercy, holiness, beauty, love and new beginnings from GOD.

Using those inspirations to pass some messages to the universe through contemporary Africa emotional expressions in the way of bringing back hope, love, peace and possibilities through my subjects.

My medium are oil and acrylic paints, explored technique is thin and thick layers of colors to create expressions, movements and textures on this projects.