People & Lifestyle
Affordable Painting Gift Ideas for Art Lovers

Emotions are powerful driving forces. They act as yardsticks for how connected we feel to others. To illustrate, they determine how committed or indifferent we feel about other people and not just people but things as well. We all know that one person who’s a hardcore fan of a particular type of music or a television show – remember the Game of Thrones craze?
We often hear people say, “actions speak louder than words”. Giving gifts is an excellent example of this age-old adage. Many people love receiving gifts, and it’s even a love language for quite a lot of individuals. When you offer someone a present, it’s heartfelt to say you appreciate them and how precious they are to you. To summarise, a gift is a simple way of expressing emotions that you may otherwise not say.
However, many people just can’t find the perfect gift. Sure, the thought counts, but you also want the recipient to like the gift you present. So, here are some of the best ideas to gift them with something artistic they will never forget.
Custom Portrait Paintings
It has been proven that the average human enjoys looking at and showing off beautiful depictions of themselves. No wonder we insanely love selfies and can’t help ourselves from sharing them on social networking platforms. But, custom photos to portrait paintings take that concept further by elegantly capturing our likeness in paint.
There are other options to choose from if your recipient doesn’t fancy a painting of themself. Group and pet portraiture are also tastefully sentimental. For instance, if your recipient goes away for a while, you could have a group portrait painted with her family or closest friends. Pet portraiture is also suitable for people who are very attached to their furry companions.
Should in case you worry about how to covertly get the subjects to an art studio for a painting session, happy to inform you that it won’t be necessary. You only need photographs of the subject, and you’re good to go. Converting photos to portrait paintings has become popular, and your artist should be able to paint from clear photographs of their subjects.
Paintings of Their Favorite Memories
This is probably the most sentimental idea on our list. If your gift recipient is someone close enough for you to know their fondest memories, then unique paintings for life will be the most heartfelt surprise. But, of course, you must work closely with the artist because you are painting your recipient’s life.
You can also get creative with this gift, either making it depict a single memory or a collage of several memories that narrate a story. Additionally, it could be paintings of their favorite places, a city they once visited, where they grew up, or even their favorite coffee spot. To make it even more special, you could also loosely place them in the depictions.
Gifts like these are statement gifts that usually stir up deep emotion. They are unique paintings to keep for life. But, more importantly, a gift like this will be a constant reminder, a stimulant that helps them revisit these cherished places in their minds.
Replica of Famous Paintings
Replica paintings or painting reproductions are hand-painted copies of original artwork by internationally revered artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael. This could be a perfect surprise if your loved one has a favorite painting created by the artist they admire to the core.
Having said that, there are three different qualities of replica paintings to choose from depending on how indistinguishable the replica is from the original. The Museum Quality are high-quality replicas that are the most identical to original works and are usually the most expensive. The Medium Quality replicas are just as you would expect, midrange dupes, while the Commercial Quality replicas are what you would call mass-produced, cheap knockoffs.
Although it is best to go for what you can afford, giving a gift within the first two categories is advisable. After all, you want a durable and impressive gift for your recipient, and a Commercial Quality replica may not meet those criteria.
Customized Gift Items
These are the most common gift ideas on our list. Customization adds a personal effect to any item. Whether it’s the themes on our smartphones or the outfits we wear, we all love to extend our personalities into the things we own.
Additionally, this is also the most versatile gift idea on this list, and you can customize as many things as possible in several ways for your recipient. It could be with little things, or it could involve grand gestures.
An excellent place to start is with the things involved in their hobbies. For example, you could artistically customize their consoles and controller pads if they love to game. Also, you could take an ordinary gift item like a necklace and turn it into a customized locket.
Free Tickets to an Art Gallery for Museum
Here is something simple yet practical for the overthinker who isn’t sure about the other options on the list. An art gallery or museum to an art-lover is like the library to a bookworm. So, you can always opt for this safe bet.
Without delay, grab some tickets for a fun trip to the art gallery or museum for someone who appreciates art history and watches them light up the entire time. It will make them feel relaxed and conversational because art is something they know and respect.
This is a handy tip for someone you just met or are just getting to know. Instead of a cliché date at a restaurant, take them where they can drool over their favorite masterpieces.
Conclusion
Getting people things you know they will appreciate is one of the most satisfying emotions ever; it’s like a mission-accomplished feeling. The ideas shared in this article will help you surprise your art enthusiast acquaintances with something unique and affordable.
People & Lifestyle
Hollard Life is the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana’s (CIMG) Marketing-Oriented Insurance Company of the Year

Hollard Life, the youngest of the insurance group, Hollard Ghana, has snagged the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana’s (CIMG) Marketing-Oriented Insurance Company (Life Category) of the year, 2022 at the just ended 34th CIMG Annual National Marketing Performance Awards held at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
According to the citation, Hollard Life was recognised for its dedication to customer-centric strategies and marketing excellence.
“The year under review saw you introducing some wonderfully crafted and customer-resonating products that sat well with your target market. The introduction of the internal mechanism to ensure the building of a well-motivated staff, grilled to handle customer pain points seamlessly, together with your CSR initiatives, which remain peerless and matchless, and more are the strong pillars that identified you as the CIMG Marketing- Oriented Company of the Year”, the citation read.
Commenting on the win, the Managing Director of Hollard Life, Nashiru Iddrisu, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders, particularly our customers and partners, for believing in us to insure everybody they love.
“Receiving the CIMG Marketing Oriented Insurance Company of the Year Award is a testament to our steadfast dedication to client satisfaction and our ongoing efforts to change the insurance landscape in Ghana. At Hollard, we are committed to enabling more people to create and secure a better future by treating everyone with care and dignity. Although we are barely five years old, we are glad to be making strides in the insurance industry while contributing to the increase of insurance penetration in the country”, he said.
“We are thrilled to have received this award from CIMG for our marketing-focused strategy. At Hollard, we are intentional about our purpose, which drives our actions. We ensure all our products and services reach the target audience using the best marketing practices. We are keen about putting customers first in everything we do and will keep aiming for excellence in customer satisfaction,” the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo, added.
People & Lifestyle
EXIT 2024 brings an additional festival day and a new name for its Main Stage in honor of Nikola Tesla!

EXIT Festival has just announced the theme of its upcoming edition called STARSEEDS. Exit’s Star Children from over 120 countries around the globe will gather for a summer pilgrimage at Petrovaradin Fortress next year! The upcoming festival edition will be an invitation to awaken and unleash the potential of every individual, where each of us will have the opportunity to reach our unique purpose, under the motto – Let’s awaken our superpowers together!
Under this slogan, the 24th edition of EXIT festival will take place, during which, in honor of our and the world’s most famous inventor, futurist, and visionary, the main stage will be given a new name – Tesla Universe! The next edition of the EXIT festival will be held from July 11th to 14th, 2024, whist the day zero, July 10th, will celebrate Nikola Tesla’s birthday with a special Starseeds Takeover performance at the previously mentioned Tesla Universe stage – honoring the most significant inventor who has left an indelible mark on the world we live in today.
For centuries, human history has produced unique souls, visionaries, and revolutionaries with a mission to change the world for the better with the spark of their inner light. Figures like Leonardo Da Vinci, Martin Luther King, Frida Kahlo, Michelangelo, Clara Zetkin, and many others embody the essence of creation, they carry the wisdom of ages within them and the seed of inspiration that ignites the imagination of dreamers who come after them. They remind us that we are all interconnected, part of a cosmic symphony resonating throughout the universe.
We live in a time when each of us has the potential and the opportunity to achieve greatness and, gathered with like-minded individuals, raise the consciousness of humanity as a whole, creating unity, peace, and love among people. With this goal in mind, we will once again gather at the Fortress to, through the power of unity, awaken our hidden strengths and our own superpowers.
People & Lifestyle
Zohra Opoku pioneering sustainability at the unveiling of a new exhibition in Ghana

A major exhibition of work by German-Ghanaian artist Zohra Opoku, in collaboration with a Ghana based community-led sustainable design initiative, The Revival (founded by Kwamena Boison & Yayra Agbofah), has officially been unveiled at the Red Clay Studio in Tamale, Ghana.
The public exhibition known as TRANSFER(S) is organised by Osnabrück Kunsthalle and opened in Germany earlier in July 2023, with a monumental installation of Ibrahim Mahama’s montaged tapestry of strip-woven textiles, decommissioned jute sacks and batakaris (traditional garments cumulated from the northern region of Ghana). Now in its second phase, TRANSFER(S) will showcase the collaborative body of work led by renowned artists Zohra Opoku with The Revival (Founded by Kwamena Boison & Yayra Agbofah), For Zohra Opoku, this exhibition represents a continuation and an extension of her ‘WHO IS WEARING MY T-SHIRT’ series, which highlighted the interconnected work and intersection sustainability, trade and textile.
Kwamena Boison & Yayra Agbofah, founders and respectively Head of Design and Creative Director at The Revival, commented, “Through TRANSFER(S), we want to harness the arts and creativity to address all the difficulties that we noticed in our society, especially tackling the issues of climate change and climate action. We believe that it is crucial for artists and arts to further raise awareness. The installation goes beyond simple information sharing to deliberately using the aesthetic experience to empower the audience to imagine plural sustainable futures.”
“Identity and the sense of self in relation to different aspects of society, it is an important concept underpinning this exhibition. This is done by referencing the myriad ways individual styles and dress are closely linked to cultural displays of pride, social and economic status. The usage of secondhand garments and imported fabrics, such as table cloth and bed sheets, aim to address broader questions on the role of custom dress across communities, governance and commerce” added Opoku.
Yayra also added “collaborating with Zohra Opoku on TRANSFER(S) is a bold endeavour to use art and creativity as a powerful force for change. This exhibition goes beyond aesthetics, delving into societal challenges, climate action, and the interconnectedness of identity. This project transcends mere information sharing, inviting the audience to imagine a world where identity and self intertwine with cultural pride, social status, and the transformative power of upcycling”.
Zohra Opoku’ TRANSFER(S)’s exhibition explores the relation between the second-hand clothing industry and imports in Sub-Saharan Africa, the modern African textile industry and traditional African attire and creating awareness about the upcycled global textile waste. The project will bring together other artists, weavers, cultural icons to discuss the exhibition and it coincides with a jubilee year for Osnabrück: 2023 marks 375 years after the Westphalian Peace Treaty.
Ms. Opoku is a champion of creativity and her work examines the politics of personal identity, sustainability and climate action through historical, cultural, and socio-economic influences. She repeatedly integrates family heirlooms and her own self-image into her visual observations of Ghana’s cultural memory, embracing and celebrating the complexity, opacity, and tensions that characterise contemporary Ghana.
People & Lifestyle
From Controversy to Grace: Scott Evans Radiates Resilience Amidst Industry Backlash on Sammy Flex Show

In a recent edition of Sammy Flex’s renowned entertainment show, “Class Showbiz,” a segment took a regrettable turn as one of the pundits, Chairmo, made distasteful remarks regarding urban Gospel frontliner, Scott Evans.
The comments, coupled with affirming laughter from the host and other pundits, sparked an internet backlash, leading to a subsequent apology. Stream/Download Scott Evans’ Grace Is Luxury EP on preferred platform here.
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibility industry players bear in uplifting Ghanaian talents rather than undermining their hard work.
The crux of Chairmo’s disparaging comments centered on Scott Evans’ achievements and success in the music industry, implying that accolades and views don’t translate to genuine success.
Such remarks not only belittle the artist’s efforts but also reflect a concerning trend of tearing down fellow musicians instead of supporting and promoting their craft.
In response to the viral backlash, Sammy Flex and his team issued an apology, recognizing the inappropriateness of the comments made on the show.
While apologies are a step in the right direction, this incident underscores a broader issue within the industry—the need for a collective commitment to promoting unity, respect, and constructive criticism.
The Ghanaian music scene is a thriving hub of diverse talents, each contributing uniquely to the country’s cultural and artistic richness.
Instead of fostering an environment of healthy competition and collaboration, instances like these highlight a damaging tendency to diminish the efforts of fellow artists.
It is crucial for industry players, especially influential figures like Sammy Flex and his team, to use their platforms responsibly.
Their words carry weight and can significantly impact the perception of artists within and outside the industry. Disparaging comments not only tarnish the reputation of individual artists but also contribute to a divisive atmosphere that inhibits the industry’s growth.
As fans and stakeholders in the Ghanaian music scene, we must demand better from our industry leaders. Constructive criticism can pave the way for improvement, but demeaning language only serves to erode the foundations of unity and mutual respect that are essential for collective progress.
In view of this Scott Evans’ management has issued a press statement as seen below;
The world can only help but see the hardwork and dedication that the Gospel Amapiano genre creator has invested into his music and the level of excellence he has since introduced into the Ghanaian Gospel music scene as evidenced by his latest project Grace is Luxury EP.
Fans and naysayers alike can rightly judge via the quality of music videos, promotional strategies and Christian lyrical contents contained in his released songs such as Map3k3, 100 Percent, Best Side and his most recent Holy Father single which has earned him several deserving nominations across several awards schemes from the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards to the Praise Achievement Awards.
Let this incident serve as a cautionary tale for all industry players, urging them to prioritize collaboration, encouragement, and constructive dialogue.
As fans, let’s rally behind Scott Evans, celebrating his achievements and fostering an environment where he can flourish without fear of unwarranted criticism.
In conclusion, let us hold our industry players accountable, reminding them of the pivotal role they play in shaping the narrative of Ghanaian music.
Together, we can build a supportive and thriving ecosystem that propels our artists onto the global stage, showcasing the richness of our musical heritage. Stream/Download Scott Evans’ Grace Is Luxury EP on preferred platform here.
kindly insert this tiktok embed of the Sammy Flex show embed:
@ghanamusic #ghanatiktok🇬🇭 #Ghanamusic #fyp #scottevans #graceisluxury #sammyflextv ♬ original sound – Ghana Music
People & Lifestyle
GTA awards TOUGHA for contribution to tourism development in Ghana

In June, TOUGHA which is an association of experienced professionals in the tourism and travel industry in Ghana that offers both inbound and outbound tours was adjudged the “Best Association in Tourism” at the Business Executive Excellence Awards.
The association has over the years contributed immensely to tourism development ensuring high standards in the industry.
People & Lifestyle
1xBet recommends: don’t miss 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League main intrigue

Who will challenge the favorite duo? Reliable bookmaker 1xBet is talking about the third CAF Women’s Champions League, which will occur from November 5 to 19 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Women’s football development
Women’s football is growing in popularity and winning new fans in Africa and worldwide. In the summer of 2022, the Women’s African Cup of Nations took place in Morocco which was broadcast by channels from more than 60 countries. The tournament attracted much attention, and the continent’s four best teams – South Africa (CAN winner), Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria – played in the 2023 World Cup.
At the World Cup, the only African team that failed to make it to the playoffs was Zambia. The South African national team lost 1/8 to the Netherlands (0-2), Morocco could not find arguments against France (0-4), and Nigeria only missed out on England, the future finalist of the tournament, in a penalty shootout.
The standard of women’s football on the continent grows yearly, and the prestigious CAF WCL tournament provides great opportunities for African footballers to progress and perform at the highest level.
Participants and format
Eight teams will take part in the CAF WCL finals. Athletico Abidjan received a quota as the tournament host, and Moroccan AS FAR – thanks to their victory in the last edition. SC Casablanca (Morocco), JKT Queens (Tanzania), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Ampem Darkoa (Ghana), Huracanes FC (Equatorial Guinea) and AS Mande (Mali) proved their strength in the qualifying round of the tournament, finishing top in their respective qualifying zones.
As a result of the draw, the participants were divided into two groups. Quartet A included Athletico Abidjan, SC Casablanca, JKT Queens and Mamelodi Sundowns, while Group B included AS FAR, Ampem Darkoa, Huracanes FC and AS Mande. In the group stage, each team will play one match with each of the opponents, and then the two best representatives of each quartet will play in the semi-finals. Africa’s top team will be crowned in the final match on November 19, with the losers battling it out for third place the day before.
CAF Women’s Champions League Favorites
AS FAR and Mamelodi Sundowns are considered the tournament favorites. Both teams have already won the CAF WCL and are the only ones among all participants playing in the final part of the tournament for the third time in a row.
Morocco has positioned itself as a leader in continental women’s football and is investing heavily in its development. AS FAR won its tenth domestic trophy in April and is now preparing to defend its African title.
Mamelodi Sundowns have reached the previous two tournament finals. In 2021, the team confidently beat Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 in the final, but last season, it lost to AS FAR 0-4 and is probably dreaming of revenge. South Africa’s women’s players easily qualified in their qualifying zone, scoring 21 goals in 5 matches and heading into the group stage in excellent form.
Will the main favorites be able to confirm their ambitions, or will new stars write a new page in Africa’s most prestigious club tournament? Follow the exciting women’s tournament and bet on your favorites with 1xBet!
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