Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2016 | Page 74

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Cha Sheldon
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When did you first start
painting?

It’s funny you should ask when
I started painting, a fellow artist
asked me the same thing a
few days ago. Three years after
graduating from high school I was
unemployed and actually said to
myself that I would try a carrier
in art for a year and if it didn’t
work out I’ll do something else
and 25 years later, a careeer in art
is the one thing that I am really
passionate about.

Your paintings depict
various aspects of island
life in vivid detail. The
simplicity of that life as
seen in your painting,
evokes fond memories
for those who have lived
on a Caribbean island,
and I’m sure certainly
arouses the interest of
those who haven’t. How
do you usually choose the
subject of your paintings?
I often stumble my subjects while
driving through the settlements on
Grand Bahama Island. Children
enjoying their weekend, an old
house with a lot of character or an
old wooden boat that appears to
have been abandoned by its owner.

What motivated you
to make island life the
common theme in most

of your paintings?

I love the idea of sharing with
everyone the way that a lot of
people live and enjoy living their
day to day lives. No rush, no hassle,
easy going way o f life.

Where have you
exhibited your paintings
and do you have any
shows scheduled?

For many years I participated
in group exhibitions in Grand
Bahama and hosted solo
exhibitions in Nassau, New
Providence. I have also exhibited in
Canada
http://bit.ly/sheldonsaint
http://bit.ly/sheldonsaint2
I currently don’t have any
exhibitions scheduled. My focus
has been on relocating a family
business that my wife I started
several years ago and introducing
a Paint Nite at our new location.
We will also have day sessions for
school students

With paintings like yours
I’m certain there must
have been awards over
the years?
Yes. In 2010 my painting
Island Boy BoldBrush Painting
Competition Winner - September
2010 | Island Boy by Sheldon Saint
http://bit.ly/2ccnZwg
In 2012 Cathy’s Dress and Old
Shoes also won an award

70

Sheldon Saint - Cathy’s DressWatercolor - Painting entry October 2010 | BoldBrush Painting
Competition http://bit.ly/2ckb201
BoldBrush Painting Competition
Winner - July 2012 | Old Shoes by
Sheldon Saint
http://bit.ly/2cPzPMz
In 2015 Old Shoes was also
gained recognition again in this
international online watercolor
contest.
YouTube https://youtu.be/jDe_
NBtlxSg
Will you say that your work
has influenced younger artists
in The Bahamas? Are there
usually opportunities to
mentor aspiring artists?
During the summer of 2016 an
art teacher from one of our local
high schools held art classes for his
students. They paid me a visit and
asked a few questions. After the Q
& A one of the students revealed
that he had been working on a
reproduction of this piece.
http://bit.ly/2cco82s
Where can one purchase your
paintings?
My painting can be purchased
directly through me via my website
or by visiting Treasure Nest in the
Port Lucaya Market Place where
my work is on display.
http://sheldonsaint.com/