Creating a unique line of gold-branded portraits

Feb 19, 2023 News

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Special Person…

Guyanese artist and painter, Compton Babb is a Special Person

By  Rehanna Ramsay

Kaieteur News – Armed with a few paintbrushes, an empty canvas, and a dab of colours, Guyanese artist/painter, Compton Babb Jnr. can create a masterpiece within a couple of weeks.

For Babb, no painting is complete without a touch of gold. The artiste would have it no other way; that’s his standard, Gold.

He told the Waterfall that his unique pro-gold portrait style paintings have earned him recognition from several prominent Guyanese and esteemed international public figures some of whom visited these shores.

His work encompasses portraits of the likes of His Excellency the President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali, First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali, Former Mayor of New York. Bill De Blasio, and his wife, Chirlane McCray, and Guyana-born movie star, Letitia Wright, all of whom he has presented with paintings at various junctures of his careers.

This week’s Special Person is no stranger to the public as his work has been filtered throughout various social media platforms, gaining high praises from recipients and admirers alike.  Babb rose to prominence in 2018 and since then, he has not stopped churning out, almost annually, masterpiece after masterpiece.

He tells the Waterfalls that while art runs in his blood by virtue of his biological father, Compton Desmond Babb who is also an artist, he continues to work tirelessly to nurture the skill that his Creator has blessed him with. His goal is to leave a legacy of which his family, children, and the country would be proud.

He said, “I am certainly blessed. I have always been surrounded by art because my father is an artist and I have always loved doing it so for me, to work to better my skills as I go along this journey is basically my labor of love, because my ultimate thing is to produce an excellent lasting product that people can admire for possibly hundreds of years to come.”

BIRTH RIGHT

In the earliest stage of his life, Babb recalled that his family moved around a lot.  He spent his formative years in Martin Street, East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, but later the family moved to Versailles, West Bank Demerara, then to Non-Pariel, East Coast Demerara.

“That is just to name a few places where we lived,” Babb the eldest child of Jennifer and Compton Babb, related.

He noted too that growing up in a humble household, taught him very early how to be punctual and disciplined. And he also learned the determination to achieve goals in life with his dad as his role model.

He added, “That impacted me because I have seen the sacrifices he made over the years and the things he achieved and the things he has done for the family’s wellbeing.”

His dad’s influence is not only evident in his character but vocational choices as well. Babb reminisced that he started following in his dad’s art footsteps very early on. He said as soon as he could doodle on paper, he was attempting to draw his favourite cartoon characters. At first, the drawings would not turn out quite as he imagined them but he kept at it.

“Honestly, I believe art is my birthright…”Babb declared unapologetically.

He continued “As soon as I could have held a crayon properly I was trying to create something special out of my drawing. When I was young maybe in primary school I started drawing cartoon figures like Daffy Duck and so on. If you check my old school books you will always find drawings at the back of them”

The artist did not create his first solid piece until 2018 when he presented the painting to the then Mayor of New York, Bill De Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray

He said, “It was at that moment that I knew that I don’t have to be a suffering artist any longer I can actually make this a career. So for me, art is not a hobby it’s a career. ”

And though he has done some remarkable work since, Babb admits that he is still not yet in the prime of his career.

“I was born in 1981, so there are still lots more to do, learn and accomplish. I am committed to advancing myself as an artist, trying new things to just make the work I produce the best of its kind,” he added with a streak of determination in his voice.   That drive, he shared is one he developed while facing some initial challenges in the pursuit of his dream to be one of the best artists in the Caribbean.

WILL POWER

Babb revealed that while he is no doubt equipped as an artist, he was forced to make some undesirable choices in pursuit of his career and happiness.

“Almost everyone would agree with me when I say that the structure of our current education system does not support the creative person and so because I knew the kind of career I wanted, I did not graduate high school but left and went straight for art school,’  Babb said

He explained that he was just 17 years old when he joined, the Burrowes School of Art.

Babb said, “My intention was to complete the artwork in four years. There were various courses to complete including drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpting, textile and design, 2-D designs, graphics, and so on but some administrative issues led to me dropping out of Art School for four years. It was a difficult decision to make but I did it for my own good.”

“So I don’t know what it feels like to wear a graduation gown,” the artist revealed adding nevertheless that he made a decision within himself that day that if he had to leave school again, he would be the best non-graduating student, the Caribbean has ever seen.

“I have never told anybody this but it has become my inner fuel,” Babb stated.

GOLD STANDARD

It is due to these initial challenges that Babb decided that he would create his own brand of paintings.  He explained that he has always loved the gold concept so it was one he adopted as part of his brand.

“Gold element has been evident throughout my life. Gold represents the highest level of achievement: The gold standard. I remember hearing the voice of God on the train… about the meaning of gold.  The scriptures speak to gold representing royalty and majesty.  I want my paintings to speak of those high standards.

Drawing his inspiration from global figures like Kobe Bryant, Pablo Picasso, and Steve Jobs, the artist adapts a mental fortitude and innovative capabilities that allow him abilities to reinvent himself to stay ahead of society.

He said, “Most of all, my son Cornelius Babb provides the fuel to keep me going on a daily basis, not only for me but for him.”

He emphasized that every piece is special in its unique way there is no perfect artwork, and each piece is a perfect representation of the value.

Babb noted “My price range varies based on these components; the size, concept, composition, time, and most of all, the artist’s creative input to execute the desired results. Each artwork has its own unique concept which causes a variation in the price. One consistent challenge I encounter is having people not understand and appreciate the value of art.”

The artist’s work does not stop at earnings. He has donated many of his pieces.

“While I am a philanthropist and I try to provide my service to make the world a better place, my work is not only my passion but my purpose and career that provides an income to sustain myself and my family,’ he explained.

The artist said too that his motivation comes from the reaction of others who are inspired by his work and also anticipating the unknown result of the finished product.

He asserted “There are moments when I have to dig deep and be inspired by God who is greater than I am. So, the motivation comes from unlocking the unknown and trying to figure out what God has in store next.”

According to Babb having a supportive family who understands his work requirements makes it easy. Finding balance can sometimes be challenging but, it is important to not only rely on one’s own strength but the strength of God who guides me through this all.

As such, Babb shared that his ultimate goal as an artist is to create art that speaks to hope, value, and self-worth to help others find their purpose through his paintings.

“So it’s no longer about who I wish to paint but rather the higher concept which is helping to discover the Gold in others,” he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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