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Madonna of the FlamesMadonna of the Flames -
St. Michael’s, Clark’s TownSt. Michael’s, Clark’s Town
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Silent SwiftsSilent Swifts
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Passion FruitPassion Fruit
Sharing Independence
My last blog about Emancipation Day was quite personal and got to the heart of the matter, believing that we all have the power to liberate ourselves. My reflections on the Jamaican national holiday of Independence are also very personal, as I am an artist and very proud of my Jamaican heritage. Though there are so many aspects of Jamaica that make me proud, particularly the strength and resilience of our people, I take the opportunity this Independence Day to share the source of that pride that in a large part has inspired and formed the artist I am today and has had significant influence in my paintings and that is the sheer beauty of the island of Jamaica.
There is exceptional clarity of light and the colors of the landscapes of Jamaica are just breathtaking. The trees, the flowers, the vibrant colors, the mountains, rivers and the sea all lend themselves to idyllic painting scenery and I have painted many of them and enjoyed doing so. However, for me it’s not just having a pretty picture to paint, but also being able to paint that picture with the right feeling, as it always has been since my youth growing up amidst this spectacular beauty. The elements there somehow seem to always come together. In fact, the “Magic Realism” that best describes the style of my work seems to be ‘in the air’ in Jamaica and I have felt very fortunate about this. Thankfully, I believe I’ve been able to transport this energy back home to Delaware with me to my studio so I can use it to paint with. What a blessing!
Today on August 6, I truly hope that Jamaicans at home and all over the world will take a moment to think about what Jamaica means to them and whether living in Jamaica today or abroad, what most lives within them of our precious island home.
Happy Independence Day Jamaica!