Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Okolie.
Hi Angel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you had asked me years ago where my future would lead, I would have pointed to the football field without hesitation. My name is Angel Okolie, and for most of my life, sports were, and still are, everything to me. I lived for the adrenaline, the camaraderie, and the challenge of being a Division 1 football player at the University of Tulsa. But life had a funny surprise for me and sometimes the things that seem like setbacks end up opening doors you never knew existed.
When I was playing ball, the NCAA had strict rules that prevented student-athletes like me from earning money outside of our scholarships. I couldn’t even take a part-time job. My school was the smallest Division 1 school for athletics so we didn’t have all the bells, whistles, and resources that bigger state schools had for their athletic programs. At first, I made paintings for my teammates to hang in their dorm rooms, just for fun. Soon, word of my art began to spread across campus. Professors and coaches started commissioning pieces from me, and before long, my name was circulating in conversations I never expected. This gave me the opportunity to fund myself for the necessities I needed in college.
Eventually, my coaches pulled me aside to let me know that the NCAA wouldn’t allow me to keep making money from my art while playing. They gave me an ultimatum: choose between my passion for creating and the sport I loved so dearly. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever faced, but I chose art. What began as a creative outlet quickly became a necessity, I had to survive now. I started to think about all the athletes who may have ended up in the same position I was in. I started to think about if the other athletes had something they could confide in other than football. The art for me then became a way for me to process the intense inner dialogues that came with balancing athletics, academics, and life itself. That’s how my collection, SELF CONVO, was born.
Each piece in SELF CONVO is a mixed media exploration of the universal conversations we have with ourselves and how important our self dialogue is to our overall health. My canvases are alive with abstract, expressive faces immersed in vibrant colors, each one representing a different voice, mood, or perspective. These faces are a reflection of the complexity and chaos of the human mind, and the ever-present push and pull of opinions and influences that shape who we are.
At the center of my work is a challenge to the narrow boxes we often find ourselves placed in or put ourselves in. The recurring motif of the face in my art is less a symbol and more of a declaration of self-awareness, resilience, and the courage to define myself on my own terms. I want my art to remind others that we are all more than the labels or expectations placed upon us.
The discipline and mental toughness I developed on the football field now fuel my artistic practice. There’s a profound connection between the mental preparation before a big game and the internal dialogues we all face in life. Through my art and my brand, I celebrate the intersection of strength, vulnerability, and complexity that exists in both sports and creativity.
I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting my work in solo and group exhibitions, and being featured in publications, such as News on 6, that recognize the unique perspective I bring. One of the highlights of my journey was being honored on court during halftime at a college basketball game, which was a moment that affirmed how far my message has traveled.
With SELF CONVO, I invite you to pause and reflect on your own inner conversations. My hope is that my work inspires you to embrace self-awareness, challenge limiting beliefs, and celebrate the ongoing journey of self-discovery. Whether you’re on the field, in the studio, the office, or anywhere in between; just like a plant needs sunlight and water to thrive, we need uplifting words and honest conversations with ourselves to truly grow and bloom.
Looking back, I realize that the obstacles I faced were actually detours leading me to my true calling. If not for the NCAA rules that once prohibited me, I might never have picked up a paintbrush. Now, I see those rules as the unlikely spark that ignited my creative journey of self discovery. That’s what sets my story apart, and that’s the story I hope to share with you.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Honestly, it’s been far from smooth. I always thought my future was on the football field, but life had other plans. With the NCAA rules, I couldn’t make money from my art while playing, so I had to choose between the sport I loved and this creative outlet I’d found. It was a tough call, but it pushed me to really listen to my own thoughts and feelings. As an athlete, I realized how often the self-dialogue we have, those inner conversations, get overlooked or ignored. People see the results, but not the struggles and doubts we deal with inside. That is another challenge that led me to my art and message.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a professional artist, and my work is all about exploring the conversations we have with ourselves, especially those inner voices that athletes and people from all walks of life experience. My specialty is mixed media art, using vibrant colors and expressive face motifs to capture different moods and perspectives. I’m known for my collection called SELF CONVO, which helps people see and reflect on their own self-dialogue.
I’m most proud of how my art has connected with people, especially athletes who often feel misunderstood or unseen. Hearing that my work reminds others they’re not alone in their struggles, that really means everything to me. I’m proud of the work I have put in to get to this point and the inspiration that i give to younger athletes and artists to keep moving forward and believe in whatever you do. I’m also really proud of being recognized in exhibitions and featured in local media, and especially of being honored at a college basketball game.
What sets me apart is my background as a Division 1 athlete who turned to art to process life’s challenges. I bring the discipline and mental toughness I learned on the field into my creative work. Not only is the artwork eye-catching, it invites people to pause, reflect, and be kinder to themselves. I want my work to remind everyone that we’re all more than the labels or expectations placed on us.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice is to be open, genuine and always unapologetically yourself. Don’t be afraid to share your story with people you admire. For me, networking really took off when I started talking about my art and my background as an athlete at events and exhibitions. I found mentors by connecting with people who understood my journey or who could help me see things differently in life. Being clear and honest about what I was looking for, and listening to what others needed made all the difference for me. If you’re willing to show up and be yourself, the right people will come around, notice and want to help you in anyway they can.
Pricing:
- My original mixed media pieces typically range between $500 and $5,000, depending on size and complexity.
- Smaller works or prints may be available at lower price points (from $25 to $250 depending on size and print medium)
- For commissions or custom work starts at $400. I consider the specific needs and vision of the collector, and pricing is discussed upfront to ensure clarity for everyone involved
- Murals and large permanent wall art depends on size and starts at $1000
- Private events for public and corporate groups will receive a personalized quote upon consultation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.angelokolie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelokolie/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angel.okolie.5205
- Other: https://linktr.ee/angelokolie
