Talent is naturally gifted for a lifetime. Art is not less since it is a profound talent that often opens the mind for interpretation and deliberation. Not everyone can paint a picture that would blow your mind the way Shimuel Jones can. This young Afro-Guyanese artist poses immense artistic skills whether it is painting, drawing or even sculpting- “Once its art I’ll do it.” 

Being the third of six siblings, he describes his childhood as “pretty interesting” since he safely enjoyed it. His days were spent doing yard chores followed by school after which he would play with his elder brother until

sunset. In the world today it is rare to find parents that pose as a stepping stone for their children.
Jones’s father was also an artist thus, with his love for art from a tender age it became a part of his life.
The skills were passed down to him from his father which he noted were ‘very solid.’ He was then introduced to all aspects of art from working with his father in his workshop. Thereafter, he began to venture into different art forms-painting, sculpture and graphics to name a few. For a moment there, he thought that he was fully geared and educated in the field of art until after winning the 2008 National Drawing Competition, where he met the Head of Department of the Fine Arts of the University of Guyana Mr. Gajadhar, who applauded his work and encouraged him to apply for a Degree in Visual Arts.
“A few brush strokes can say so much”-Jones expounded on his admiration for visual arts since it allows him the ability to speak to the public about social, political or even moral issues through his pieces. It was something he grew up and was born with and not inspired with. The annual and bi-annual art competitions maximised his passion for art since he thinks that it “has given much exposure to artists especially myself.” In Guyana, finding a career in this arena is quite a challenge hence; Cartoon Animation introduction is a relatively new career in the country, whereby Jones is currently a Senior Cartoon Animator at Brainstreet. Cartoon animation is not something he ‘dreamt’ of but now that he is fully educated in this field, he can definitely see a future with this. Apart from this, one can pursue to be an Art Tutor, Curator, Graphic Artist, Sculptor, Historian, Potter, and Fashion Designer/Seamstress/Tailor among others.
Seeing his clients happy has been a seminal experience for him since there is nothing more rewarding than satisfying his customer with the work he would have done for them. In every field of work, there must be something to dislike but Jones enjoy every bit of his. In fact his job has become more of a ‘hobby’ rather than a working experience. Everyone has a celebrity role model. Rembrandt is Jones’s role model. He noted that he would like to be compared to this artist because of the wonderful pieces he created.
There are a few ‘dream’ projects he is currently pursuing one in which is to do a large public mural depicting the unification of all ethnic groups in Guyana. “Great artists” achieve their fame by doing a work that has a great impact on society; a work that will be here even when you are gone. It is similar with Jones for he hopes to achieve this fame in his lifetime. “Making art is my mean of income. It is also therapeutic”-He sees art as an epitome of fulfilment and cannot see himself doing anything other career for a living.
Portraits and cartoons are preferable in his eyes since “Onwards upward” is by far one of his favourites. The message that it portrays is one that everyone needs. “A painting is never finish, you only stop working” was an advise from one of his lecturers by which he solely disagrees because for him, a painting is finished when the artist is satisfied and once his intended message is portrayed, the work is then completed.
Every artist has an important tool that he cannot survive without in the studio but Jones stated that “a creative mind is the most important art tool, a mind that ‘thinks out of the box’” and that is his most vital and loved tool. Curvinal lines of all elements he enjoys using when he paints for it is sleek and easy. Content and technique are vital in any artistic piece. Jones thinks content is by far the most important because without context, technique is nothing.
In Guyana, he noted that the role of these artists is to ‘visually narrate’ a story in a manner that is therapeutic yet visually appealing. The subject matter to his art work is extremely important since it is the ‘seed’ of all his work. He noted that he definitely sees himself changing the face of art in Guyana since with the innovation of Cartoon Animation, Guyana is stepping into internationally standards in the art arena.
Thus, he visions himself apart of this stepping stone. Most artists either express feelings whilst painting or paint for the sake of painting. Jones chooses to express feelings and it is shown through his work, per se if he is happy at the time, the colours mirror that feeling, vice versa. Artists usually places emphasis on their pieces and regard them as accomplishments but Jones’ biggest accomplishment for him is when he won the National Art Competition in 2008 which led him to be motivated and keep on venturing into the world of art.

(By Shivanie Sugrim)