Aspiring artist not giving up on dream

Despite feeling overlooked and unwelcome within Jamaica’s art fraternity, 40-year-old Ann-Marie Watkis Walters is refusing to let rejection stop her from chasing her dream of becoming a successful artist.

“Sometimes I compare myself and think I am not good enough,” Watkis Walters told THE STAR. “But I’ve learnt not to give up but to better my craft and keep going. I see myself growing as a successful artist, owning my own gallery and sharing what I learn with others who want to grow in the art world.”

During the daytime, Watkis Walters works as an office attendant but, in the evenings and on weekends, she paints, creating pieces inspired by Jamaican culture, memories and everyday life. Her artwork is displayed at a shop operated by her family in front of the Constant Spring Police Station.

“I’ve been painting since 2006. I’ve always loved painting and drawing from a younger age. What inspired me to do it professionally is because I put brush to canvas to put out my talent. I have so many dreams and, when I dream and imagine things, I just get the brush and put them on canvas,” she said.

“If I want a day of comfort and relaxation, that’s where I go, to my artwork. When I see the end result, it puts a smile on my face to see that I can produce something that people love and can relate to. It encourages me each and every day because it’s a journey where I started out not the best to doing pieces that people love and buy.”

Watkis Walters said she mainly paints landscapes and portraits but is always willing to create custom pieces for clients. She said she loves doing pieces that unlock memories.

“My favourite piece is of a woman combing a little girl’s hair. As a black girl [I can remember] when I was little and getting my hair combed, how painful it was,” she said, laughing.

The response from customers, she said, confirmed that the painting struck a familiar chord. “A father came here and said, ‘When I look at this painting, I just love it because it reminds me of my sister and mother because it was always a struggle with my sister.’ A lot of people see it and are able to relate to it.”

Watkis Walters said her passion for art began while attending Eltham High School, even though she never earned formal qualifications in the subject.

“Back then, art was never seen as a career, so I did it just as a talent. Even while I was in high school, what my teacher used to give me to do, I always said they were too simple and I had more to show. That’s how I started doing my own pieces.”

Determined to improve herself, she later completed the Fi Wi Jamaica Empowerment Programme at the University of Technology, Jamaica, an eight-week HEART/LEAP household technician course and a certificate in general cosmetology from La-Marie Spa Institute.

While she enjoys seeing people connect with her work, she admitted that earning a living through art has been one of her biggest challenges.

“Many artists struggle to earn a stable income. Sometimes artists don’t make money from their work because people copy it and do other things with it. While we can feel proud that people love it enough to copy it, we don’t benefit financially.”

She added, “If you’re not recognised as a big artist, people don’t want to pay you for the work you do. Or if you don’t have certain qualifications, like from Edna or university.”

The cost of supplies and balancing another job also make pursuing her passion difficult.

“To do quality work we have to use quality paint, canvas, brushes and other things. Buying them here costs too much and it still costs if we’re buying them online,” she said.

Despite the obstacles, every sale motivates and inspires her to do more work. Her paintings start at $10,000, with prices increasing depending on the size and detail of the piece.

For youngsters who dream of becoming artists but are being discouraged, Watkis Walters hopes her own story serves as inspiration.

“I will tell them not to give up on your dream. That’s your talent that God has given to you. Multiply it, don’t give up on it. Trust in what God has given to you and wait upon your time.”