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How I Sold My First Painting

I was fifteen when I moved from Haiti and settled back in Nassau (Bahamas). There I was placed in the 11th Grade. Because of my interest in art, I found myself in the Fine Performing Arts (FPA) class among a group of eager students led by a wonderful teacher, Ms. Bennett. I still remember some of my classmates: Dagineau, the most advanced draftsman among us; Peter, quiet and thoughtful; Raymond, fiercely competitive; and Buckheart, whose name I just could not say properly.

Ms. Bennett was an excellent teacher. She provided guidance and much needed inspiration. She took us on field trips and art shows. Our classroom was always well stocked with art supplies: large drawing pads, pencils of every kind, canvases, paints, watercolors, erasers. When I joined her class, Ms. Bennett gave me my very own metal paint box, which I proudly carried back and forth to school and that I still keep in my studio to this day.

Years later, at a group art show where we both were exhibiting our work, Ms. Bennett shared something that completely caught me off guard. Back then, she used to sell snacks at school to raise money for art supplies, something I had no idea about at the time. As one educator once said: government schools were rich in talent but poor in resources. Ms. Bennett quietly filled that gap herself.

Thanks to her diligent efforts, we managed to create some good work, but it was hard at times. I struggled when she first introduced watercolor. I found the medium frustrating and difficult to control. Many early attempts turned muddy, but eventually I completed a small watercolor painting I felt good about.

At the end of the term, Ms. Bennett decided to organize a small art show right in our homeroom. She made mats from poster boards and displayed the work beautifully. It was my very first exhibition. I don’t remember the details; whether there was an official opening or people simply stopped by. What I do remember is this: Ms. Bennett handed me $30. My painting had sold! That was my first art sale ever.

MAN WITH CONCH SHELLS

It was during one of trips down south in Eleuthera (Bahamas) when we came upon this scene: a big fellow stood ankle-deep in the shallow water of the bay. Wearing a large green apron, he bent down to wash a few conch shells. This simple act became a moment to remember, an instant to capture on canvas. I took out my camera and took a number of reference photos.

The light was coming from behind him, turning his figure almost into a silhouette. His light colored shirt blended into the greyish-blue water. Then for a brief moment, all you saw was the dark green apron, his limbs and head, forming an interesting frame for the pink conch shells themselves.

I liked what I saw. It was one of those rare moments where you have the subject, the colors, the composition all handed to you on a platter. I went home supercharged and, after a couple of months, there was the end product: this large oil painting on canvas, Man With Conch Shells!

For more information, please go to the links below:

www.RitchieEyma.com
https://www.EddieMinnis.com/ritchies-originals

As a child, I was mesmerized by my uncle as he sketched birds, donkeys, and horses. Watching him create something from nothing gave me a wonderful feeling, and that wonder has stayed with me. To this day, what drives me to paint is the sheer joy of creating—turning a blank canvas into a vivid scene, a figure, or an illusion of reality using just paint and brushes.

My journey started with acrylics, but over the years, oil paint won me over. Its versatility, forgiving nature, and the rich textures it creates were irresistible. I love seeing every brushstroke in my work, so I use bristle brushes, minimal medium, and bold colors—orange being my favorite now for its warmth and radiance.

Every painting begins with a red-stained canvas and large, bold shapes blocked in complementary colors. From there, I sketch the details and layer texture, working from dark to light until the piece feels complete. This process gives me pure joy, as each painting evolves and takes on a life of its own.

Right now, my work is bright, bold, and full of color. I’m continually amazed by the power of color to transform a painting and evoke emotion. Every time I step back and see a finished piece, I’m filled with a profound sense of excitement and fulfillment.

Above all, I find endless inspiration in the Creator, the ultimate artist who shaped the beauty we see every day.