How to Draw a Lion with Samuel Kinyua
Interview by T.K. Mills
Published on September 3rd, 2025
Art is international – a global phenomenon that connects people regardless of language or background. Meet Samuel Kinyua, an artist from Nariorbi, Kenya whom we connected with during Artizen’s Season 5. He is the operational Director ‘How to Draw a Lion’ and art teacher, spreading the joy of creating.
From there website: “How to Draw a Lion is a program founded in 2014 to provide art classes for children, raise money for their education with shows around the world, and to create awareness about child welfare and conservation in sub-Saharan Africa.”
How to Draw a Lion is a full re-evaluation of the non-profit model in Africa. We work with African-led, community-based organizations in a multi-national network of partners all working toward the same goal – educating children and empowering communities. With an extremely low overhead and no administrative costs we are just an art class in a suitcase, creating a sustainable model of art education and fundraising. Our student-teacher program allows former students to grow into educators working with young artists in their own communities year round.”
UP Mag: When do you first start exploring art?
Kinyua: I would say my first time exploring art is when I was still in lower primary.
Pupil would come and ask for drawings and one of our teachers appreciated my artwork and told me to draw her. It was great feeling to feel appreciated. From that time I would just say, “when I grow up I would like to be an artist and here I am.
In Grade 7 (class of 2011) we did some art competitions sponsored by friends from Finland and I became number 1. Then in 2017 I came to meet How to Draw a Lion, I was in Form 4. I was so focused and now here I am as part of HTDL.
What is the art scene in Kenya like?
Kinyua: The art in Kenya just got to be appreciated country wide the last 4 years when we got a new curriculum where talent is now a key thing. I’m getting jobs out of this from different schools across Kenya and also getting commissions.
Has growing up in Kenya influenced your art?
Kinyua: Yes, it has really influenced me since most people I would come approach would really appreciate what I do! The excitement from them would really make me to keep doing what I love most.
What attracted you to being an art teacher?
Kinyua: I found myself helping out my fellow students in How to Draw a Lion art classes.
I also love interacting with people and mostly kids, thus making me loved when I teach them…
John our Great HTDL teacher just noticed this in 2019 and he asked, “Sam, would you love teaching this like how I do?” I was like, wow! Yes sure!
What’s it like making murals in Nairobi? Is there a big street art scene there?
Kinyua: I love doing Murals and my first Murals was in an industrial park, check @mofarmfreshexporters . Due to our Kenyan colorful Matatu culture, people love seeing beautiful walls also! We have many walls painted in Nairobi city and some private sectors.
Can you tell me more about How to Draw a Lion and what kind of projects you do?
Kinyua: HOW TO DRAW A LION started by John Platt from New York, USA. It’s an organization that empowers new generations through art where kids darw and paints wildlife since 2014.
We first met with HTDL founder in 2017 at @Healraisingourworld in Rapha Secondary school. Our paintings done by kids across East Africa are taken to online auctions to get funds for their education and other essentials.
We love wildlife and education through art is our part in conservation and awareness.
It seems you do a lot of work with children. What’s it like educating people on the power of art?
Kinyua: Since I got that chance of teaching art in 2019, I have been doing my best in it and my first classes were in 2020 in the same school (Rapha Secondary school)
Then after that I started volunteering in Nakuru, then Mombasa, Kenya. That’s when I started getting people willing to hire me for classes.
I always feel great when I see younger generations do what they love in total focus. They always make me feel empowered too… Not only kids but also adults who didn’t get that chance when they were young.
Is there anything else you want our audience to know about you and your art?
Kinyua: My art has really grown and I can remember my mom and grandmother who raised me telling me, “my grandson, keep following your dreams despite challenges.”
She really encouraged me and I would also encourage other generations to always focus. I do murals with great messages, wildlife paintings, pencil work and also some bead crafts.
I teach art In Arusha, Tanzania, Kampala and Masaka, Uganda and also most parts in Kenya. Travel is what I love, to come up with mural ideas. My mission is to explore the world through teaching art and empower them as a HTDL director of operations, Kenya.
T.K. Mills is the Editor-in-Chief of UP Magazine, a street art publication based in New York City. After receiving a Master’s Degree in Global Affairs, he discovered a love for graffiti while backpacking through Cuba and pursued life as a writer. Outside of UP, T.K. enjoys writing poetry, personal travel essays, and occasionally short stories. His work has been published in The Smart Set, The Vignette Review, Genre Urban Arts, and Eternal Remedy among others. Beyond art, T.K. loves reading and traveling.
Insta: @t.k.m85
Website: www.tkmills.com