ONE of Bermuda’s rising artists returned to his roots at a well-attended art show at Elliott Primary School this week.Nashon Hollis has already accumulated a decade’s worth of experience and was the winner of the People’s Choice Award in 2005 and 2006 at the Bermuda Schools Art Exhibition.

He was also the winner of the People’s Choice Award in 2006 and 2007 in the Masterworks Spring Into the Arts Contest.

While many struggling artists would crack under pressure, this talented 12 year old seemed unfazed by it as he recalled a recent challenge.

“I had placed third in the Masterworks Quick Art contest and we had about five hours to complete a piece. I left church late and so I was behind, but I painted a reddish-yellow hibiscus and I was competing against adults and came third.”

It’s interesting to note that Nashon completed his piece in half of the allotted time.

Accompanied by his parents O’Neil and Shawn Hollis, the budding Picasso showed off some of his work while admitting he prefers to paint landscapes but has done a self-portrait and is branching out into doing more portraits.

“We have the whole living room and hallway dedicated to his artwork,” said his father. “So far he has about 60 pieces from when he was eight years old to now and he has already sold seven pieces.

“I must give a special thanks to his former art teacher Trevor Smith who had worked closely with him and gave him the opportunity to show his work.”

An equally elated Mr. Smith recalled how disciplined the budding artist was as a student at Elliott.

“In P1 he would always bring me a piece of artwork and one year during Dress-Up Parade he came dressed as an artist.

“I encouraged the students who were interested in art to come by during their lunch hour and Nashon was always there. He didn’t talk much, he would come in and go to his area and be in the zone. He was very focused.”

Both of his parents agreed their son is a perfectionist.

“From the age of two he wanted to be an artist and by age eight he was working with oils. He is critical of his work and has us critique it and asks what message the artwork conveys,” his father said.

“He has me cleaning the canvasses for him and he is meticulous and has an eye for detail. Most of his creations come straight from his head.”

Nashon said his great grandfather Percy Perry was an artist in his own right and during a visit to his Connecticut home the connection was made.

“There were lots of paintings from over the years and Percy is about 90 years old and has quite a collection,” Mr. Hollis said.

The bite from the art bug was indeed infectious as Nashon’s mom works with hair, his dad has dabbled in photography and his ten-year-old sister Shanna does fashion designs.

Ever the humble artist, Nashon was impressed with the calibre of art on display at Elliott and offered a piece of advice for those interested in art.

“They should keep doing it and stick with it until they become better. Don’t ever give up.”

When he isn’t breathing life into a piece of art, the Saltus student enjoys table tennis, radio-controlled car racing, football and playing with his X Box. He credits his biggest influence to Peppy Land and Bobby Ross, his favourite TV programme when he was younger.

Also on hand to greet Nashon was his former principal Cathy Bassett.

“We have been doing (art) shows on site for the past five years. This is his first show and last year we had a show for him and everyone was impressed by the quality of his work.”

During his six years at Elliott, Nashon was on the honour roll the entire time, was a prefect, house captain for Blue House and, according to his father, he is excelling as a student at Saltus.

Prior to leaving Elliott, Nashon painted a huge oil painting of an eagle, which happens to be the school’s mascot as a gift.

While no one could estimate the amount of hours it took to create the masterpiece, it adorns the stage of the school’s assembly hall.

Mrs. Bassett summed it up by saying the painting is appropriate as the school’s motto is “Success comes with doing your best” and when one views the painting one realises the sky is the limit for Nashon.