Joshua K. Chapata, known as the Paint Doctor, is an embodiment of what it means to be a creative visionary. His journey into the world of abstract art is not just a tale of talent but also one of resilience, passion, and transformation.

My Afrika Magazine writer Lingiwe Gumbo (LG) had an exclusive moment with Joshua Chapata (JC) exploring his power of creativity and the impact it can have on both personal and communal levels.

LG: Please tell us about yourself. A detailed biography, mentions and awards.

JC: I was born on April 22, 1991 as Joshua K. Chapata and many people know me as josh chaps k. I grew up in a small farming town of Bindura to very loving parents and I am a straight-up farm boy. I believe the biggest award I have to date is creating lasting art works with deep meanings for generations to come. I have been featured across the world in different platforms sharing the same word of hope and encouragement through art.

LG: ⁠Is an artist born or made? Which one are you?

JC: The debate of whether an artist is born or made can be quite subjective. Some believe that innate talent and creative instincts are essential traits that artists are born with, while others argue that skills and artistry can be developed through practice, education, and experience. I will safely say am a mixture of both, I was born an artist and over the years growing it and learning over and over again. The greatest artist is the one who continually seeks to be better than yesterday.

LG: When you look at a blank canvas can you really see the finished piece? Please share your creative process.

JC: When I look at a blank canvas, I often engage in several mental and creative steps, such as: inspiration, planning, beginning the work, exploration and experimentation, reflection and above all just having fun. This about sums up the creative process but yeah maybe to add on life through the canvas for me is what completes me.

LG: When was the first time you held a brush? How did it all start? Share all the details, I’m eager to know.

JC: Lol, I actually don’t remember the 1^st time I held a brush wow. It’s been that long but all I can say is I have been drawing all my life really, if not mainstream then underground. At one point, I was trying to count how many pieces I have done till now and wow they are a lot. I can share the 1st commercial piece I did hey. It was for a book-launch titled ‘Stop the time’ and let’s just say this was my 1^st time to commercially use brushes and I was so nervous trust me.

LG:  In line with your artistic journey, what have you learnt about who you are?

JC: I am so much of a quite person physically but have managed to find my voice in the visuals which is a good thing spreading positivity doing what I love.

LG: If you met someone for the first time, what is most important for them to know about you? Call it an elevator pitch if you will!

JC: I create beautiful timeless works with deep conversational meanings that give hope and guidance in this life we leaving in. I am a representation of the art I create.

LG: What message do you seek to give your audience with each piece?

JC: My art tackles societal issues and I address giving hope, encouragement and the need to go after our dreams regardless of the situation or backgrounds.

LG: ⁠Motivation and inspiration: What is your motivation to keep on creating? What or who is your muse when you create? Some people owe it to their partners, some are at their best after a few glasses of wine, or certain environments.

JC: I am grateful to God my creator who is the master artist and continually gives me ideas and will forever be my inspiration. Just take a look around and tell me you aren’t inspired by his majestic beauty.

LG: ⁠In your opinion, do you think creativity is making an impact in changing the African narrative? Please explain.

JC: It’s starting to make inroads because most people now are realizing its power and importance. All we need is to continue occupying decision making stands and factor in creativity to foster solutions all around.

LG: In Zimbabwe, can one really earn a living through creativity

JC: Slowly we now getting there though more awareness needs to be put out there for that industry to be a means of a living for a lot of people and communities.

LG: How do you give back to your community? Any mentoring or training sessions?

JC: I do have community outreach programs, where we do works with orphanages also again sharing and pushing how arts can develop into careers and we mentor some of these amazingly talented individuals to become self-sustaining and push their own crafts.

LG: ⁠Do you have a story which happened to you long ago, which you laugh about and give as reference to what/who you have become through your creativity?

JC: 2010 when I started all this lol fresh out of high school waiting for university plans etc., my mum was like I got you a diary, write your vision and I had no idea about what she was talking about. I sat for days and only managed to come up with ‘creative inc’- a company that majors in creating arts and involved with colour…. fast forward that’s now my company we do home painting and office revamps. We also do art curating and selling and teach and develop skills in the creativity sector. This always makes me laugh because at that time I couldn’t even manage to buy myself drawing pencils.

LG: ⁠Last but not least, how can those who are interested in your work get in touch with you? Do you have social media platforms, websites etc.

JC: Ok yes, for Instagram: josh_chaps_k; Facebook: Joshua Chaps K and for TikTok: joshchapsk. We also do art therapy sessions that have been proven now to be very beneficial to our mental health, unlike sip and paint we do these in a subtle environment that encourages relaxation and opening up to offloading on the canvas and the art created being the pain killer.