Isaac Chodola

I developed an interest in birds since when I was young. I used to keep birds in cages for fun and also eat them. Later in 1999 I stopped trapping birds for food or fun but instead I enjoyed watching them in the wild. I bought my first bird book in 2001 and that’s when I was introduced into bird watching. In 2002 I started painting birds and selling them. Since they were selling like hot cakes, it was an encouragement to me to go further with bird paintings and bird studies. After intensive studies in bird biology from December 2006 to April 2007 I wrote an exam from Cornell lab of Ornithology and passed and they gave me a certificate in bird biology. This helped me a lot in understanding birds.

I mostly use oil on canvas I have experimented with other media but I prefer oil on canvas and Charcoal on paper. I use different ways to come up with a painting. Sometimes I rely on memory sometimes I use pictures and sometimes I use description as long as I have seen that bird before. When using pictures I make sure I don’t copy I just use it for the colors the rest comes from my head.
I have never attended art school but I come from a talented family. Every member of the family can paint and draw, but only the three of us have come ...

I graduated from secondary school in 2006 then went to college and studied computer engineering from February 2007 to July 2008. I worked at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre as a guide and education officer from February 2007 to April 2008 (while going to collage), Lilongwe Private School as Art teacher from September 2008 to June 2009 and Mount Sinai as Art Teacher from August 2009 to September 2014. As of now am not employed. I am a keen bird watcher and professional tour guide. Guiding helps me to improve my bird paintings as I enjoy and understand birds further. I will be very happy if I illustrate a bird book (field guide) either for Malawi or any other part of the world.

I have participated in the following art exhibitions:
 Arts fest 2003-2009 Malawi (annual event),
 Art Expo’ 2004 Malawi,
 Nyika Vwaza Trust Art Exhibition 2006 & 2008 UK,
 And a few Private Exhibitions