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Focus and preparation. They matter in school, in tennis, and they are two critical ingredients in the artistic practice of muralist Aniekan Udofia.The artist's childhood began in Washington, DC, before a family move took him to Nigeria. Udofia ultimately returned to DC, where he has become well-known for the expansive, celebratory compositions he has added to the urban landscape — works that reveal the hand of a seasoned illustrator and the imagination of a comic-book devotee.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Mural Painting 3_1.jpg" alt="Aniekan painting" class="right_image" />Also in the spirit of celebration, this summer Udofia helped to commemorate an important milestone in the annals of DC sports. To honor 50 years of the Citi Open® tournament — the capital's premier pro tennis competition — Udofia was commissioned by Citi to paint a 40-foot-wide mural that captured the spirit of DC tennis and the impact of the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF).The WTEF is a local nonprofit that offers educational programs and tennis instruction to scores of DC youth. The tournament, which Citi has sponsored since 2012, raises much-needed funds for the WTEF to help fulfill its mission to empower and educate young people — through their swings and studies alike.Udofia's vivid artwork, spanning 10 panels, was displayed throughout the event (held July 28 – August 5) and has since been rehung in its final home at the WTEF facilities.Here, Udofia shares his thoughts with Life and Money by Citi on the mural commission, his chosen medium, his city, his inspirations and the sport of tennis.You were born in Washington, DC, but spent many of your formative years in your parents' native Nigeria before returning to America. What artistic influences and interests did you pick up along the way?Aniekan: Me and my two siblings were born here in the US, and our parents used to buy us coloring books — that's how I originally developed an interest in drawings and grew to like comic books. Once we moved back to Nigeria, comic books became a bigger influence in my life, especially when I discovered other kids were into them.Later on, as a teenager, my interest in comic books transitioned into curiosity of how to actually begin creating illustrations. A lot of illustrated album covers and book covers began to catch my attention. I wanted to be part of the creation, particularly hip-hop album covers. By the time I came back to the US, I dove straight into illustration as a career.To this day, I will buy a book based on the cover if it's well done!Are there similarities between illustration and the large-scale murals you are commissioned to make today? Aniekan: Even though I do large murals, I still have kept an illustrator's mindset. The style and technique are constant, but the subject matter changes. Each [mural] panel; I can see it as a comic-book page. With illustration you can implement so many unique styles and concepts — it doesn't have to be narrowed to one thing. I like how my range of passions —from comics to hip-hop — come together when working as an illustrator. Since my original influences were comic-book artists, I have a broad understanding of really good illustrators to source my inspiration from.Mural painting seems like both a very physical and mindful act. How do you stay present and aware as you work? Aniekan: I keep the relation to the sketch, I'm committed to the sketch. The sketch takes three weeks to a month to develop. In that much time, I have this sketch embedded in my memory. Because I've spent so much time and energy on the sketch, once I go to the wall I can literally paint without a sketch and be fine.Can you talk about some of the figures and imagery you've included in your work for the WTEF and the Citi Open?Aniekan: In this mural, the narrative focuses on the students in their element — both in terms of education and athletics. So you see kids studying and with mentors, and then an action shot of a kid playing tennis. Conceptually, there are also images of Arthur Ashe and a DC flag to draw in the historical sense and include DC relevance. The pencils and ribbon floating throughout the mural help add movement.Because it's going to be displayed in two locations, I wanted to serve a dual effect, where it is relevant both at the Rock Creek Tennis Court during the Citi Open, and at the WTEF center.What excited you about this commission?Aniekan: I was really excited about being able to create something that is historic in collaboration with WTEF and the Citi Open right in my hometown of DC. It's about having the opportunity to yet again create something that the public can enjoy as well as be educated by. It really got me excited and inspired — the ideas started flowing instantly when I got the call for the commission.How do you see your public murals in relation to the community they inhabit?Aniekan: The way I envision a mural in a public space is specific to each community. It is both public art, but also commercial work. I also want to create something that can resonate with people without being too preachy or too intense.I think one of the major reasons why my murals resonate with a lot with people is because I tap deep into my illustration background, and ask what the narrative is. If this was a book cover, what would attract someone to say I want to read this book? It's the same thing with the murals. I can't create something that the community wouldn't like to see the next day. I have to create something that they're proud of, and that I'm proud of.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_20180728_CitiOpen_ML_2080.jpg" alt="mural" class="right_image" />Where do you find creative inspiration in DC?Aniekan: I usually try to find inspiration by taking time off and doing things that rejuvenate me and my work, while keeping me grounded. I often find sparks of inspiration in books. I go to the movies. For me, going to the movies isn't just about watching what's on the screen, it's about watching peoples' reactions to things: the environment, the mood, the lighting and color. I consider all those elements when I'm developing a mural.I also love playing ping pong. I lose my mind if I go somewhere where there's a ping pong table! When I'm done for the day, I'll often hang out and play ping pong to keep my mind fresh — by the time the work comes again I don't feel tired or stressed or boxed in.I actually get excited because all the things I'm doing in DC come to life through my art. There is an opportunity to implement my experiences into something to share with others. Do you like to play or watch tennis? If so, how'd you get into the sport?Aniekan: That's funny, I actually have dabbled in tennis. Being onsite creating the mural, I have been tempted to hop on the court and play — it's something that stimulates my mind. I loved the idea of just getting on that court and the challenge of serving the ball over the net to the other side and receiving it.But I'm not as good at tennis as I am at ping pong!

Aniekan Udofia Makes Larger-than-Life Comics

Known to fans by the tag Queen Andrea, the New York-based graffiti artist, typographer and graphic artist credits the city around her as one of the largest influences on her work. <w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr>"I grew up in SoHo, and there was street art and graffiti everywhere," says Queen Andrea (whose given name is Andrea von Bujdoss). "I thought it was risky, intriguing. A lot of street art really is art for the people. It's on the street. It was on the subway trains. It's people just doing creative things in places that you would never imagine it could be," she says.Andrea was first drawn to the medium on subway rides to and from her high school, in the Bronx, where she saw train cars transformed by the designs of graffiti writers. "I realized that I wanted to be able to paint my name in all these colors and make this happen somehow," she recalls.And she did. After studying art in college, Andrea explored graphic design before eventually pursuing commissions as a muralist — which dovetailed with the movement of street art shifting from the fringes to a more widely accepted art form.Andrea has been tapped to paint dozens of large-scale murals around the world. Life and Money by Citi recently caught up with her in New York, where she was working on a wall prized among graffiti artists.Watch the video above and read below for more about a day spent tagging along with Queen Andrea in lower Manhattan.<w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_eCooperQueenAndrea8646-EDIT.jpg" alt="Mural on a wall that depicts the word Believe" class="hero_listicle" /><h3><a href="http://goldmanproperties.com/goldmanproperties/Art-and-Culture/Houston-Street-Wall.html">Houston Bowery Wall</a><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h3>76 East Houston Street / Lower East Side <w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr> In 1982, contemporary artist and activist Keith Haring put the now-iconic Houston Bowery Wall on the art world map with a bold chalk-and-paint mural, making this a coveted spot for street artists — the latest being Queen Andrea. In June she teamed with Citi and Goldman Properties, the wall's owner, to create a vibrant new mural work. "The Houston Bowery Wall has a special meaning for me because it's always been a part of my urban experience growing up," she says."My inspiration for this mural is juxtaposing patterns, detailed color fields and dynamic geometry shapes that convey the excitement and vibrancy of city life," Andrea explains. "My 'Believe' typography messaging is a focal point painted in super bright colors, along with 'Love More' on the lower right corner at street level, which are both encouraging messages to stay positive and believe in what inspires you the most."<h3><a href="http://www.groundsupportcafe.com/">Ground Support Cafe</a><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h3>399 West Broadway / SoHo<w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr> Opened in 2009, this welcoming café is what every neighborhood coffee shop aspires to be — laid back, light filled and always buzzing. Gourmet sandwiches are made in house daily, and the strong brew is from beans sourced directly from independent farmers and roasted at the shop. This all lends to the convivial community atmosphere of this local SoHo spot.<h3><a href="https://scrapyardnyc.com/">Scrap Yard NYC</a><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h3>300 West Broadway / SoHo<w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr> The lower Manhattan scene that Queen Andrea came of age in during the '80s and '90s has certainly shifted over the years, but a handful of venerable restaurants, bars, galleries and shops still anchor the area. Scrap Yard NYC is one of those fixtures. New York's longest standing graffiti shop, this is Queen Andrea's go-to for painting supplies and to catch up with other artists and friends. "I used to hang out there every day after school. It's beloved among street artists and it's an important place to me," she shares.<w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr>

Painting the Town with NYC Graffiti Artist Queen Andrea 

Competing as a top-ranked athlete can come with great responsibility, and an influential place in the spotlight.But for Caroline Wozniacki, who has achieved 30 WTA singles titles, the decision to retire from the sport in 2020 served up new opportunities — this time, off the court.After leaving the sport, Wozniacki is preparing for an exciting first — motherhood and the birth of a baby girl. Wozniacki plans to empower her daughter with the strength and independence that she developed throughout her career.Caroline also plans to pass along words of wisdom that her parents instilled in her: 1) "Be a good person, be a great leader, and be a good role model.", and 2) "Continue working hard and giving it your all, and that's all you can do. Just do your best every single day and there's really no limits to what you can achieve.""For me it's so important to let her know that her gender doesn't determine whether or not she can be what she wants to be," she says. Throughout Wozniacki's impressive career, she has not only built a name for herself, but put women athletes and their voices in the spotlight, too.Though she may have stepped off the court, Wozniacki has transferred her leadership platform to become an advocate for patients going through similar experiences. "We built a community where women, and men, can tell their story, and get women to feel their best," she says about co-launching a global campaign, Advantage Hers, which seeks to ensure women living with chronic inflammatory diseases have access to treatment.Her determination to succeed after her diagnosis now serves as an inspiration to others: managing life's challenges doesn't put a stop to pursuing your dreams.Caroline's advice to young athletes aspiring to follow in her footsteps:"You need to want this and be willing to work extremely hard. If you're willing to put in the hours, if you're willing to do what it takes and work hard, then the sky is the limit. There really is no limit to what you can achieve. You also need a good support system around you, whether that's your parents or a coach that you really trust. You will need someone there that can guide you and be there for you in the ups and the downs. Because yeah, you can get far by yourself, but you can't go all the way."Watch the video above for more of Wozniacki's empowering story.

On My Terms with Caroline Wozniacki

A home should be a retreat from the noise and stress of the outside world.So, what to do when the distractions of life and everyday clutter start to encroach on the spaces where we're meant to feel the most relaxed? One way to cultivate an environment that promotes presence of mind is to look East.Timeless and aesthetically focused, Japanese design has long influenced Western architecture; it's seen in the early 20th-century Bauhaus movement and the work of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright, among others. And the design concepts that attracted those visionaries are having a moment again.Etsy named the Japanese concept wabi-sabi — taking pride in imperfection and accepting impermanence — a top design trend of 2018. Japandi, a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design, is a trending hashtag.Proponents of Japanese design principles say that incorporating them into your own home can make you <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/home">feel less stressed</a>. Whether your aesthetic is shabby chic, midcentury modern or California coastal, there are ideas and aspects of Japanese design that you can consider adding to your home and your routine.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/30922214_1834724263497204_101085671673823232_n(1).jpg" alt="japanese ceramic bowl on table" class="right_image" /><h2>Add the outdoors</h2>Wooden furniture, branches as décor, <a href="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/lam/articles/well-being/well-being/wellness-benefits-of-houseplants">houseplants and other natural elements</a> are essential aspects of ryokan design, Aasgaard says. There should also be plenty of windows to allow for a full view of nature. In the home, bringing in elements of the outdoors can be as simple as adding hardwood accessories in the kitchen. Or, incorporate driftwood, natural wooden sculptures or even a branch-based floral design into a room.In Japan, the art of creating floral displays is called ikebana. The practice treats floral arrangements as more than just decorative elements — the designs go far beyond a hastily arranged burst of blooms. It's a thoughtful process, allowing the designer to meditate on nature, explains Hones. Incorporating a similar daily or weekly ritual, such as collecting and arranging seasonal flowers, branches or leaves, can provide the same meditative pause in your own hectic life.<h2>Let in light</h2>Shoji screens — sliding frame doors covered in white paper — are emblematic of Japanese design. And while they serve a practical purpose to easily divide a room, they are also designed to enhance light and shadows in a room, allowing the shifting dynamic of the light to become a star player in an interior.To apply this principle in your home, treat screens, drapery or shutters not merely as window covers but as devices for playing around with how the light falls in the room, and how that light makes you feel.Mirrors, too, can be a key element in maximizing light, says Hones, who advises clients to add mirrors next to windows, to reflect outside greenery and allow even more sun and natural elements to enter the home. "Light sources should be dimmable and well-spaced, and use candles or lanterns to add to the glow of the space," Hones says. If you are incorporating sconces, consider the shadow or patterns they cast as an additional design element.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/18808751_1459120784152583_1112840423123976192_n(1).jpg" alt="cup of japanese green tea on marble surface" class="right_image" /><h2>Get undone</h2>Wabi-sabi is a liberating design philosophy in that it revels in imperfection. Earthen materials such as mugs, plates and vases are commonly seen as having elements of wabi-sabi. If chipped or worn with age, these pieces are regarded as beautiful for having withstood the test of time.Japanese design values craftsmanship over mass production. Owning fewer things that are made well, and, most importantly, that make you happy when you use them is far more important than buying new goods every few years, shares Asako Ueno, chief curator at Anzu, an online Japanese design shop based in Brooklyn, NY.<h2>Love what you have</h2>Do you have a friend who went on a decluttering streak, only holding onto items that sparked joy? While the phrase comes from Japanese author Marie Kondo's bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, the sentiment is strictly rooted in Japanese design principles, namely that the things you use should also be the things you love — merging the beautiful and the practical."Japanese design philosophy is rooted in the concept that everything you own has energy, or chi," explains Hones. As an experiment, Hones suggests tuning into some of your furniture: How does your dining room table make you feel? What sort of meals did you have or conversations did you enjoy there? Learning to tap into the energy of your possessions can help you cull the things that you feel are bringing you down and remove them.<h2>Play with negative space</h2>In Japanese design, less is more, and sometimes, in a traditional tatami room (a space covered in straw mat flooring), the best furniture design is none at all. The concept of negative space, called ma, is a key element in Japanese homes. "When a room is empty, with only a few objects that take our energy, we are able to focus on what's most important," Hones explains.While it may not be feasible to have a room devoid of furniture, minimizing the amount of furniture in each room (or putting away items when you're done using them) may help make you feel like you have less physical — and mental — clutter, too."When I do it, I imagine sweeping the clutter from my mind and starting the day anew," says Hones. For her, the simple task is just as meditative as it is practical. Which, after all, is the essence of Japanese design.

Zen Den: Japanese Design to De-Stress Your Space

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