A Gabonese-Cameroonian, Michelle Nze has encouraged women to get interested in painting. She was speaking specifically to those already painting not to lose hope or be desperate in their practice. Nze spoke to Cameroon Tribune at Hotel Meridien in Bonanjo, Douala, on June 14 during an exhibition of some of her paintings.

Nze who is in Cameroon for the first time decided to show forth some of her works done in Germany where she resides. She has held exhibitions in other African countries like Gabon, Niger, Ivory Coast, among others and in Europe. Most of her paintings reflect her African roots.

Nze in her paintings uses a combination of colours like black which reflects impurity, white which stands for purity, red which is blood and blue which reflects a calm spirit and joy. Her paintings talk of love, death, birth and the body of the African woman; not a naked picture though.

The painter who also does sculpture said she gets her inspiration from traveling because according to her, traveling nourishes the spirit. Because she is a globe trotter, she is inspired by the things she sees - the values in Africa.

After the exhibition, 20 per cent of the sales of the tabloid paintings will be donated to UNICEF to sponsor projects in Africa. This, she said, is her own little way of contributing to children's projects.

Michelle Nze started painting at the age of 17 and began exhibiting in Germany in 2003. According to her, her strength and drive in painting comes from her ancestors, because she is able to communicate with them through her art.