With just a ball pen, Jean Damascene Niyitegeka, also known by his signature name "Dama”, can create so much through his imagination. As he sketches, tones and gives a final finishing to his portraits, the contemporary artist wants to create a "wow” reaction whenever people look at his art. 

He loves drawing nature, people and general surroundings. He is also skilled in painting and uses a pallet knife to apply thick acrylic paints on canvas.

At the age of 10, the artist had developed a passion for drawing as it was something he did during most of his free time, at school and home.

Niyitegeka notes that he used a pen because it was what was available and affordable at the time. According to him, a creative artist can use anything to craft uniqueness or individuality. 

He says that what makes him standout is using a single pen to make details and contrast in his paintings, known as chiaroscuro. Chiaroscuro deals with light and darkness with the purpose of creating illusion of depth or three dimensional drawings, especially in painting.

The 24-year-old artist says that he starts with a human skeleton when creating a portrait, before shading using multiple styles with very thin lines. 

"Many artists don’t understand how the human skeleton is very important in drawing yet it brings out a human exactly the way they are in reality,” he says.  

To enhance his talent, Niyitegeka joined Ecole D’Art De Nyundo in 2016. On completing high school in 2018, he wanted to make his talent occupational. 

He focused on portraits mostly, not because he couldn’t draw other things, but because he enjoyed them more. The first thing that inspired him was surroundings because he likes drawing something from observation. 

This, he says, presents his art in reality without exaggeration. His love for art escalated when he started doing more research about it, visiting art galleries, such as the Indiba Art Gallery, where he plans to have an exhibition at the end of the year. He is, however, optimistic that once his local art exhibition turns out successful, he will look for means to take part in international art exhibitions, and hopes to one day be recognised globally. 

His role model is Voka, a contemporary Austrian painter working in a self-described style of spontaneous realism. He inspires him because of his unique way of applying paint on canvas and colours to express his ideas. "His arrangement of colours is brilliant,” he says. 

He says, Rwandans haven’t really embraced art and its importance, others think it’s too expensive yet when he thinks of the prices of the paints and other art materials, time and creativity, the prices are worth it. 

According to the artist, at times he feels discouraged when his efforts and value are not appreciated, but he keeps doing what he loves anyway, hoping that one day it will all make sense. 

He is currently studying a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Design at University of Rwanda.

Niyitegeka’s art pieces can be found at Kivu Peace View Hotel in Rubavu District where he was given space to exhibit them. Prices range from Rwf 40,000 to Rwf 100,000 and more, depending on the size.