Today we’d like to introduce you to Yemi Fagbohun.
Hi Yemi, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Adeyemi “Yemi” Fagbohun is a highly accomplished Addy Award–winning illustrator, stamp designer, muralist, and multifaceted artist whose work spans commercial illustration, public art, philately, and community initiatives.
Born in Nigeria to a family of skilled craftsmen—his father a premier custom tailor and his mother a renowned wedding-dress maker—Yemi’s creative foundation was laid early. He completed secondary school in Nigeria before pursuing higher education in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Science in Art & Communications Design from Pratt Institute in New York.
His professional career highlights an impressive range of achievements:
Commercial Illustration — Yemi has created commissioned artwork for over 100 Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, American Express, Bacardi-Martini, General Motors, and The New York Times.
Awards — He has earned multiple Addy Awards (from the American Advertising Federation) and honors from the Illustrators Club, recognizing his impact in commercial art.
Postage Stamp Design — Yemi has designed well over 200 (and by some accounts more than 300) postage stamps for nations including Russia, Azerbaijan, Gambia, Tanzania, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. His acclaimed “Girl Group” series is held in the permanent collection of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
Greeting Cards & Retail Products — He produced over 200 greeting card designs sold at major retailers like Target, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Duane Reade, and Linens & Things, as well as international resort gift shops. His art line also includes items like mugs and chore charts, often featured in holiday boutiques and as fundraising products for nonprofits in areas such as Thurmont, Frederick, and Boonsboro, Maryland.
Murals & Public Art — A master of diverse mediums (including glass, stainless steel, aluminum, and hand-painted works), his murals and installations grace building lobbies, restaurants, grocery stores, and public spaces across the tri-state area. Notable examples include the Frederick Sports Mural and various community-focused pieces.
The Artist – Frederick Sports Mural
fredericksportsmural.org
The Artist – Frederick Sports Mural
fredericksportsmural.org
About | yemiart.com
yemiart.com
Yemi’s philosophy emphasizes versatility over specialization: “I decided to never specialize in a style.… This choice has allowed me to make a living as an artist. … I enjoy doing that.” This adaptability has enabled him to thrive across industries while maintaining artistic integrity.
Deeply committed to community, Yemi founded and serves as executive director of African Americans of Excellence (AAOE) in Frederick, Maryland (aaoefrederick.org), established in 2023 to honor the legacies of African Americans through exhibitions, portraits, and events that spotlight contributions and inspire emerging talents.
He has been featured in media outlets including WBLS, WWRL, WFMD, Manhattan Cable, the New York Times, Time, Newsweek, and the Washington Post. Today, based in the Frederick area (where he has lived for over 25 years), Yemi continues creating murals, custom art gifts, and community-driven projects while mentoring others.
Yemi’s work bridges Nigerian cultural roots with global innovation, transforming public spaces, celebrating heritage, and proving that versatile, high-caliber art can succeed commercially while enriching communities and empowering future artists. His portfolio remains a testament to enduring creativity and purpose.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I do not see obstacles, only hills to climb.
What matters most to you?
As an artist, what matters most to me is versatility, impact, and giving back—creating work that connects people, honors heritage, and opens doors for others, rather than being boxed into one style or medium.
I decided early on to never specialize in a single style. That choice wasn’t about avoiding commitment; it was about freedom and survival as a working artist. By embracing a wide range of techniques—illustration, postage stamp design, murals in glass or steel, greeting cards, public installations—I’ve been able to adapt, stay relevant, and make a sustainable living from my creativity for decades. I enjoy the challenge of shifting gears, whether I’m drawing for Fortune 500 brands, designing stamps that end up in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, or transforming a building lobby with a mural. Versatility keeps the work exciting and lets me say “yes” to opportunities that matter.
But technical skill and commercial success alone aren’t enough. What truly drives me is using art to build bridges and shape communities. Growing up in Nigeria in a family of craftsmen—my father a master tailor, my mother a wedding-dress maker—taught me that creativity isn’t just personal expression; it’s craftsmanship that serves people and preserves culture. My work reflects that Nigerian respect for tradition while adapting to global contexts. Whether through vibrant greeting cards sold nationwide, murals that add beauty and narrative to public spaces in the tri-state area, or the “Girl Group” stamp series celebrating music history, I want my art to inspire, tell stories, and make spaces feel more alive and inclusive.
That’s why founding African Americans of Excellence (AAOE) means so much to me. Through portraits, exhibitions, and events, we honor the often-unseen contributions of African Americans in our communities—especially right here in Frederick, where I’ve lived and worked for over 25 years. Art becomes a tool for recognition, inspiration, and mentorship. I share my challenges and breakthroughs openly because I want to empower emerging artists, especially young voices who might not see paths like mine otherwise. Proving that high-caliber, creative work can thrive commercially while staying true to integrity and purpose—that’s the legacy I care about building.
In the end, art matters to me because it has the power to connect, transform, and uplift. It bridges cultures, turns blank walls into stories, celebrates unsung heroes, and shows the next generation that a creative life is possible, diverse, and deeply meaningful. That’s why I keep creating—not just for acclaim or awards (though the Addys and others are wonderful)—but because every piece is a chance to make the world a little more beautiful, a little more just, and a little more connected.
Pricing:
- prices range from $15- $20,000 and above
Contact Info:
- Website: yemiart.com | aaoefrederick.org | Fredericksportsmural.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/yemiartist
- Facebook: facebook.com/adeyemifagbohun
