Doofan Dorin Atom holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pre-primary and Primary Education, with a specialization in Social Studies, from Rev. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, formerly known as Benue State University. She also holds an NCE certificate in Fine and Applied Art from the College of Education, Katsina-Ala, Benue State.
She belongs to a generation of women who have found their place in the traditionally male-dominated profession of art and craft. She is the Managing Director of The Last Prophet Art Studio, located inside Hotel Regina on Jonah Jang Crescent, opposite Makurdi International Secondary School, Makurdi.
Speaking in an interview with The Voice Entertainment and Society, she recounted what inspired her to pursue art and craft, a profession dominated by men, and revealed when she discovered her artistic gift.
“I discovered my passion for art and craft as far back as my secondary school days at Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Gboko. I have an artistic mind and began demonstrating my prowess then. All the subjects in the curriculum that required drawing at the secondary school level, such as Introductory Technology, Agricultural Science and Biology, became my favourite subjects. I could sketch diagrams and make other drawings effortlessly at all levels, and I was drawing for my classmates, seniors and juniors.”
According to her, her childhood passion for art strongly influenced her educational aspirations. She had initially hoped to pursue a full degree in Fine and Applied Art, but circumstances did not allow her to realize that ambition immediately.
“My dream was to take a full degree in Fine and Applied Art, but unfortunately, the programme was not offered at degree level at the then Benue State University. Although it was available in the Sandwich School of the university, I did not want to enroll in a flexible educational structure mainly designed for working professionals because I was still young. Hence, I resorted to studying at NCE level when Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where I had applied, could not offer me admission.
“Another challenge was the loss of my beloved mother to the cold hands of death. She was very supportive and instrumental to our upbringing, including meeting our educational needs, so her passing was a significant loss that also affected my sponsorship. All these circumstances influenced my decision to start at NCE level.”
On how long she has been in the art and craft business, the Konshisha-born artist said she began her professional practice after completing her education.
“After completing my NCE, I enrolled for my bachelor’s degree and graduated in 2021. We were supposed to have graduated in 2020, but the COVID-19 lockdown affected the academic calendars of institutions that year. The COVID-19 pandemic also affected my national service. I would have gone for the one-year National Youth Service Corps had our academic calendar ended in 2020. However, I was exempted from NYSC after clocking 30 at the time of graduation.
“So, I began my practice immediately after I left school in 2021. I started very small in my one-room apartment. I would create some artworks and promote them through my Facebook handle, Doofan Atom. I was not even making video clips at the initial stage; it was more about posting pictures of my products. Gradually, people were drawn to my products because of their quality.
“Most of my customers come through referrals. Customers who came once returned with friends. Today, I have customers across the globe. My products are widely circulated shortly after I post them, attracting more customers. I frequently make video recordings and short skits of my handiwork these days, and all of them go viral, drawing in more customers.”
Speaking about her target customers, she said she deliberately strives to produce original and distinctive works capable of attracting people from different backgrounds.
“I always try, with all my effort, to be authentic and to make my craft in a unique way that is sure to attract a variety of customers. I don’t target a specific group of people as my customers. Like many other artists, anyone who pays is an ideal customer, but with a more targeted approach, your sales will increase with less effort in the long run.
“It is hard to create and chase new customers constantly. Instead, consider your style and what you are selling, and create a customer persona – your model buyer. This is a tactic sales and marketing professionals often use to hone in on the essentials and encourage business growth.
“I get inspiration from people who follow me on social media by looking at insights and trends such as gender, age and occupation. Connection in the age of social media is key and creates more than just a sale. Regular interaction leads to repeat purchases, and my fans help spread the word about my products.”
On whether the business is profitable, she admitted that the venture is profitable to some extent, although patronage is not always consistent.
“It is somewhat profitable, and the patronage is encouraging. However, it is seasonal in the sense that sometimes you get more contracts at once, while other times you are less busy. I think this experience is not limited to those of us in the art and craft business but applies to other businesses as well.
“You don’t enjoy equal patronage all the time. As our people say, ‘Christmas does not occur every day,’ meaning you cannot make immense profits all the time; there must be seasons of low patronage. So, I use periods of low patronage to do commissioned works. Commissioned works are those you do voluntarily without charging a fee, offering them to certain individuals as gifts, who in return appreciate your efforts according to their conscience and means.”
On furthering her education, the artist said education remains a critical tool for achieving national aspirations and personal development. She therefore expressed her desire to return to the classroom to study Fine and Applied Art at a higher level.
“My desire is to further my education in Fine and Applied Art for more self-discovery. Postgraduate education in the creative arts builds self-esteem, which translates into greater independence and confidence in all aspects of life. The pursuit of higher education enables one to stretch and expand one’s thinking.
“Further education doesn’t just promote creativity in learning; it creates self-assured, well-rounded individuals. People who undertake postgraduate studies are more confident, inclusive, expressive and collaborative learners. The benefits of furthering education in art are vast. From fostering creativity to developing cognitive and socio-emotional skills, you gain a lot from arts education at advanced levels.”
Concerning the challenges confronting her business, the artist said every business has its difficulties, and art and craft is no exception.
“Every business has its challenges, and art and craft is no exception. Some of these challenges affect everyone in the profession, while others are unique. Personally, I have not yet secured a strategic location where I can display my artwork for public viewing, and that is my biggest challenge.
“I gave my studio address earlier, which is inside Hotel Regina, but it is expected that after making the products, you should have a place where you can unveil them to the public to attract viewers and buyers.”
She identified another challenge as customers who show interest in her services but eventually fail to return. “Another challenge is customers who never return. These customers come to discuss business with you, but they leave and you never see them again. This can be discouraging because no genuine businessperson wants a customer who never returns, even if the customer gives you a huge advance payment that covers your expenses for the job. “You value customers who value and appreciate what you do for them and are eager to see the finished products.”
In response to the often-discussed challenges women encounter in male-dominated professions, the Konshisha-born artist said being a woman in a field where women are few can require one to work harder to establish credibility.
“Being in a profession where women are few can be challenging because it requires you to prove your credibility in ways your male counterparts may not have to. However, if you continually prove your worth beyond reasonable doubt, you will always find your way. So, personally, being in the minority is not a problem; it doesn’t bother me.”
On relationships and marriage, the artist maintained that finding a compatible partner whose values align with one’s own is more important than societal assumptions. She added that mutual respect, effective communication and genuine care remain the foundations of every lasting union, expressing confidence that everyone has the opportunity to find the right partner.
She also appealed to the Benue State Government, through the Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism, to frequently organize exhibitions for artists in the state, stressing that such exhibitions would enhance their visibility and create opportunities for patronage.
“Exhibitions give artists a platform to get their work out of the studio and place it before a large audience who can see and appreciate it. Exhibitions are often an excellent opportunity to connect with an audience and sell pieces of artwork.
“Exhibitions open new doors. They get your work in front of new audiences and collectors. By being accepted into an exhibition, you start to build your credibility as an artist, both to yourself and to the public,” she appealed.
The artist, however, commended the Director-General of the Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma, for his efforts toward promoting artists and creative activities in the state.
“I wish to use this medium to commend the Director-General of the Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Shadrach Teryila Ukuma. He is doing his best in that regard. Earlier this year, during the celebration of the state’s golden jubilee anniversary, he organized a painting competition for artists, which I also participated in, and every participant went home with an encouragement reward.”
On training others in art and craft, the talented artist said she is willing to transfer her knowledge and skills to those genuinely interested in learning. “I am open to training others. I have trained a couple of people in the past who are doing well. One thing about art and craft, like many other professions, is that you must first have a passion for it before you can thrive.
“There are many other requirements, but passion is the foundation of them all. It has to start from there. Some potential learners came but dropped out without completing their training, not because of financial inability or other demands, but because of a lack of passion and determination.
“My charges are very reasonable and affordable. My biggest concern is not even the money but the positive impact I am making in other people’s lives. I am delighted when somebody learns and knows how to do something under my supervision. My happiness lies in imparting knowledge to others,” she said.
On whether she feels threatened that digital photography could someday take the place of art and craft completely, she dismissed the possibility, arguing that technological advancement cannot replace the creative process involved in artistic production.
“There is no advancement in technology that can take the place of art. A photographer doesn’t craft; he merely captures what is already before his eyes. A photographer doesn’t create; he only engages in a series of actions to capture an image that is already present -a reproduction of the original scene.
“An artist, on the other hand, is someone who creates something that is not necessarily meant to be useful in itself but is meant solely to elicit emotion, provoke thought, entertain or tell a story. Sculpture, painting and the visual arts all fall into this category, so they are different,” she explained.
Speaking about the kind of man she would like to settle down with, the artist said she desires a partner who shares her values and will support her in different aspects of life. “I yearn for a God-fearing man who thinks and believes much the same way I do, so we can support each other spiritually, financially, physically and emotionally through thick and thin. I am ready to change my line of business if it doesn’t sit well with him.
“I do many other things apart from art and craft. I had special training in catering, and I am good at baking, even for commercial purposes. I also sell bedsheets, throw pillows and duvets, and I am ready to accept a government, private or NGO job that pays.”
On the advice she has for fellow young ladies, she said she does not necessarily see herself as someone who is good at giving advice, but she strongly believes in the dignity of labour and the importance of self-reliance.
“I am not good at offering advice to people because I see life as a cafeteria where customers walk in at will, order what they want to eat and drink, and pay afterwards. But what I can tell any young lady who may care to listen is to find something dignifying to do to earn a living without depending on a man.
“She should only be in a romantic relationship with a man she is attracted to, without attaching conditions to it. Add meaningful value to yourself. There are many choices you can make and stick to.
“No matter how humble a means of livelihood may be, it carries dignity when you are committed to doing it honestly,” she advised.
