Young artist shows great promise

The portrayal of mood, the composition, the use of light and shadow pointed to an accomplished artist with years of learning under his belt.

But that painting was by 15-year-old Nahshon Hollis, a Saltus Grammar School student who has taught himself practically everything he knows about art.

His self-portrait (pictured far right) was hanging in the Bermuda Society of Arts Annual Schools’ Art Show.

He told the Bermuda Sun: “The self-portrait was a school project. The objective was to create an atmosphere or mood and I was going for a quiet, still, calm mood.”

Nahshon’s interest in the palette and paintbrush emerged at the age of two when he first began experimenting with watercolours.

He tried out all kinds of mediums before discovering one of the most difficult of all, oil painting, at the age of eight. It is a medium he now uses for the majority of his work.

“I didn’t really notice I had a talent until I was about three or four,” Nahshon said. “My parents first noticed it.”

“When I was little I watched this TV cartoon show called Pepe Land — I used to draw cartoons from it and give them to my art teacher as a gift.

“At about six or seven I started watching (artist) Bob Ross, he drew two hour paintings on TV and you could copy him. I used to watch it every Saturday and try to draw the paintings he drew — I just sketched it because I didn’t have the supplies.

“At the age of eight my mum and dad started buying me canvasses and stuff. That’s how I started but after a while I started learning on my own and drawing all the time.”

Nahshon had a solo exhibition at Masterworks at 13, with 60 pieces on display. The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors.

In 2009 he attended a summer arts programme at Boston University. He has already sold pieces of work — some for several thousand dollars — and the most recent schools exhibition has attracted interest from other potential buyers.

While Nahshon is sure he wants to become a professional, working artist, he has not yet decided whether he wants to attend art school.

“I might go but I was hoping to be famous before,” he laughed. “Some say I should, some say I shouldn’t. I’ve been learning very quickly, I get better after every piece. Some people think that my work is by a 50-year-old accomplished artist.”

Those in the arts community agree that Nahshon’s work is outstanding for someone of his age and experience.

Speaking of Nahshon’s self-portait, Lisa Howie, director at the Bermuda National Gallery, said: “This portrait stood out prominently at the recent BSoA exhibition. Clearly Nahshon is gifted, he has a sensitive understanding of form and excellent draftsmanship.

“His composition is also telling of his artistic eye — the choice of pose, the delicate yet difficult lighting, the paper choice, all work together to reveal his perceptions.

“I look forward to his submissions for the Bermuda National Gallery’s Biennial Exhibition when he is 18.”

Julie Hastings-Smith, gallery director at the Bermuda Society of Arts, said: “We were delighted to see some of Nahshon Hollis’ artwork included in the Schools’ Show. He is very talented and his artistic and technical ability are outstanding. He clearly has a great future ahead of him in the arts and we look forward to seeing more from him in the future.”