06 Jul 2026

What began as a childhood passion in Otse has blossomed into a thriving career for visual artist Junior Molengwa, better known by his professional name, Jmile Arts. Now based in Gaborone, the full-time artist has built a brand around expressive acrylic portraits, customised footwear and artwork that celebrates African identity, resilience and emotion.

“The name Jmile Arts reflects my artistic journey. The ‘J’ stands for Junior, while ‘Mile’ represents distance. I see my artistic journey as a mile, the distance I have travelled to reach where I am today,” he explained.

Molengwa's love for art began in primary school and remained constant throughout his academic journey. He earned an Associate Degree in Fine Art in 2017 before completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Design at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology Botswana.

He draws inspiration from renowned South African self-taught visual artist Enock Mlangeni famous for creating portraits using instant coffee and painting on unconventional surfaces such as furniture, refrigerators and swimming pools.

After completing his Fine Art qualification, Molengwa decided to turn passion into a business.

“I felt it was the right time to start earning from my craft because I had acquired fresh knowledge and skills from university,” he said.

Among his earliest commissions were family portraits for notable clients, including a Botswana footballer who was playing professionally overseas at the time.

Today, Molengwa specialises in acrylic portrait paintings distinguished by bold blues, purples and reds, layered with textured palette-knife finishes and expressive brush strokes that give each piece its own character.

Rather than aiming for photographic realism, he focuses on emotion and storytelling.

“What makes my work unique is that I often paint people from my surroundings. Sometimes I dream about a person and then wake up and transfer that image onto canvas,” he said.

Beyond traditional canvases, Molengwa also paints on ceramic plates and customises sneakers into wearable works of art.

“I hand-paint and dye shoes to create unique pieces that reflect personality, culture and interests. It is also a way of giving new life to old footwear,” he said.

His artwork frequently explores themes of Black womanhood, identity and resilience.

One of his notable pieces portrays a woman in deep blue and purple tones against a dark background.

“The blue drips resemble tears, rain or ancestral spirits flowing through the subject. The work is emotional, expressive and deeply rooted in African contemporary art,” he explained.Although his career has grown steadily, Molengwa says financial constraints remain one of the biggest challenges facing artists.

“My dream has always been to host a solo exhibition, but securing sponsorship and funding has been difficult,” he said.

He also believes many clients fail to appreciate the true value of original artwork.

Molengwa noted that commissioned portraits, which commemorate weddings, graduations, newborns and departed loved ones, cost between P300 and P8 000 depending on their size and complexity, while customised shoes range from P150 to P450.

He added that artists across the world continue to grapple with unstable incomes, high gallery commissions and limited opportunities.

“Creating good art is only part of the journey. The real challenge is getting people to see it,” he said, adding that visibility is increasingly influenced by networks, galleries and digital algorithms.

He also expressed concern about the growing influence of artificial intelligence, saying technological advances pose new challenges for traditional artists.

Despite these obstacles, Molengwa remains optimistic about the future.

He hopes to establish free training programmes for aspiring artists, believing that creative skills can generate sustainable livelihoods while strengthening Botswana’s creative economy.

He is encouraged by the growing number of companies commissioning local artists, particularly mural painters, and hopes to collaborate with internationally acclaimed visual artists through exhibitions and art auctions within the next two years.

“My dream is to keep creating meaningful work even when no one is applauding,” he said.

To young artists, his message is simple.

“The world does not need another copy. It needs your unique story, your perspective and your creativity. Do not wait for permission, share your work and keep improving.”

His dedication has earned praise from clients and supporters.

Tuelo Moseki described Jmile as an artist whose passion has never wavered.

“ Molengwa has always loved art and has remained passionate about it from a young age. He takes his work seriously, and I would rate him 100 out of 100,” he said.

Another supporter, Wrongo, said Molengwa consistently delivers quality work.

“He has done signboards, customised shoes and even painted a portrait of my daughter. He never disappoints,” he said.

As Botswana’s creative industry continues to evolve, Molengwa is determined to keep pushing boundaries, proving that passion, perseverance and authenticity can transform art into both a livelihood and a lasting legacy. ENDS