The creation of his work is purely intuitive, superbly refined – his artistic knack to create innovative designs results in highly imaginative works of art unique to his creative genius.

Ramone Young, is an award winning Jamaican painter whose techniques combines the mastery of drawings with the essence of colour, to capture the mood and emotions of his subjects.

Whether constructing in the abstract form or realism, his ability to replicate images with such immaculate brush work and defined lines, make his collection and creativity seem limitless.

I mainly use acrylic, oil and canvas. In addition, I enjoy working with earthy tones,” he says of his design style, a style that is quickly allowing him to own a recognizable trademark.

Purely self-taught, one would have never known from Young’s paintings that the up and coming artist from Milk River, Clarendon, a parish located in the south central part of the island, has never set foot in an Art school.

Young exhibits prodigious abilities for drawing from a tender age. While at Rest Primary School, his creativity was often recognized by one of his teachers who encouraged him to enter his painting in a 4-H Club competition. He was placed second – the first of the many accolades he would receive for his work.

It was during his years at Garvey Maceo Comprehensive High School, that he began to grow as an artist. He gives much credit to his art teacher who became his mentor and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

“When I was at Garvey, my teacher saw the potential in me,” he said. “I had a good art teacher, Mr. Atkinson. He is the one who influenced my career.”

Young’s artistic forte is painting semi-abstract art, a trademark which he developed from studying the creations of one of the most recognizable figures in the art world, Pablo Picasso.  He also draws inspiration from the famed Jamaican painter, Barrington Watson. As a young boy on his way from school, he often found himself stopping to admire the works of local artists, as they painted murals on shop walls in his community.

Young’s work is evident that he is not a one dimensional artist. Living in the countryside, on an island laden with breathtaking natural landscapes, he could easily gravitate towards scenic paintings.

Of his evolution in art, Young said that right now he is “falling in love with painting portraits and then semi-abstract.” He added, “I do a lot of musical instruments in semi-abstract form.”

There is much to be said about his ability to create pieces that exists in the realm of abstract expressionism – the visual artistry of which reflects the many forms of musical instruments.

His focus on detail with his musical pieces, evoke a sense of sound through the mind’s eyes. The imagery brings the feeling of a symphony orchestra, stimulating not just the eyes but the ears as well.

It was less than two years that Young started dabbling in portrait creation; yet his craftsmanship is filled with such meticulous detail that the true likeness and inner essence of the individuals are reflected.

The 28 year old is starting to make a definite impression on the art scene, and has been recognized for his work, not just as a painter, but also a photographer. In 2006, he received two awards from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) for both of his crafts.

Asked whether he would be a better artist had he gone to art school, Young replied, “I am aware of artists who have been to art school and I have had my work compared to theirs in a positive way. I think going to art school, I would have a better knowledge of the broader world out there but it wouldn’t necessarily perfect my work.”

Young was on hiatus for a year at which time he gave away all his painting supplies to a friend – a kind gesture many would deem admirable, especially with the high cost of painting equipment in the Caribbean. That friend, Kimani Beckford, is now nominated for the Prime Minister’s Youth Award (Jamaica) and has represented Jamaica and the Caribbean in Spain and other parts of the world. This is a commendable effort on Young’s part who has paid it forward.

An avid motorcyclist, Young finds time to perfect his second love by becoming a member of the Crazy Bikers Club in Kingston. To combine his two passions, the artist, spray paint designs on biker jackets.

He also finds himself travelling across the island to complete projects, including house painting and mural designs. “Sometimes it’s a bit confusing because everyone tends to call at once for you to do a project for them,’ he says, “ but then it can get really slow.”

For those who want to take up painting as a profession, Young has this to say, “Art is an expression of self. It releases a lot of stress and it takes you to a lot of places and allows you to meet many people. But you have to have patience, because you have to spend time on it.”

The proud father of one, 7-year-old Ramone Jr., is able to unleash a different form of creative art.  “I am able to cook good brown-stew fish and rice ’n peas” he joked. Aside from being proud of his cooking, Young beams about the decision he made in his personal life to recently propose to his fiance, Zanita Grose, who currently resides in the United States. The artist is looking to tie the knot next April.

For information on Ramone Young’s painting: ramone_young@yahoo.com; on Facebook as “Young Arts” or 876-855-7283.