less you know people, you have to underprice your work. I’ve also known many artists who’ve been in exhibitions for years, but have never had their own. My cousin Julius and I visited a number of galleries there, who all said our work was awesome, but still asked us to drop our prices. I remember we looked at each other, thinking, ‘this is nonsense’ - we knew what our paintings were worth. At home, we’ve doubled what could be made in New Providence.
I’ve had three exhibitions since coming to Eleuthera, which have all gone well. My first in 2016 was at DaVine in Harbour Island, I also exhibited with a group of other artists and crafters in Governor’s Harbour during April 2017 at a Popup show, and I was also asked to exhibit at the Jazz Festival, which was awesome. I’ve also showcased pieces in Spanish Wells at the Shipyard Restaurant. At exhibitions, I may sell on average, two pieces at the event, but the following week - you get the calls from others who liked your work, so I’ve also done commissioned pieces.
When did you make the move back to Eleuthera, and why then? I’ve been here for three years, since 2014, and I’ve always wanted to come home. I submitted numerous letters to the former Commodore about hav-
ing a base in Eleuthera - I never liked Nassau, to live. I worked, yes, but I’m home here. It’s peace for me. I prefer to be here rather than any other place in the world. At the time, I was in a long distance relationship, and my family is here, so I just finally came to a point where I made a decision to make the move. I received an honourable discharge from the Force, and I haven’t regretted the move even one day.
Where do you see yourself going as an artist here in Eleuthera where do you hope to be? I’m hoping one day to be a full-time artist. I also do crafts, like sculptures, junkanoo dolls and pieces, and automatons. I’ve now met more artists on the island, and I’ve realized that there are tons of them, but no one really pushes it - except for the foreigners. So I’m trying to get a collective together - a hub, a network. It’s moving slowly, but that’s a goal of mine. There are some amazing artists, and there are a lot of collectors and art buyers on Eleuthera. Getting to them is the challenge, but if we have a collective - maybe they would come to us.