Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

Tobi demonstrates how he starts a woolen cap. - Photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

IN A hushed tone, he said, "I am an orphan," in reply to a particular question. Almost bashfully, he glanced up then back at his knitting. That response was unexpected, but it made the story of Tobi Johnson's artistic endeavours even more interesting.

For it was while he was absorbed in his aloneness at the National Children's Home that he was drawn into a world of creativity. And at age 20, he is not looking back. He has found peace and a vocation in his art and craft.

Having found himself in a children's home surrounded by only strangers, he was angry at times. Tobi said, "It built up so much negativity in me, I wonder how I become so positive round about now ... I never did like to talk to anybody. I was so into myself ... not as open as I am right now."

He felt unwanted and depressed at times because he said, "I really wanted someone to sit down and talk to, (reason) with ... just to be a good inspiration in my life, which I never found, all now ... I don't find it yet."

His first love

Bags, hats and wristbands are part of Tobi Johnson's repertoire. - Photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Then Tobi found an escape hatch. "I found it in art. I found my first love in art," he said.

It was actually by looking at another child's work that he was drawn to art. "I saw a deaf boy drawing some cars and some boots, and I said, wow, I can do better than that. I tried and a lot of people like my work," he recalled. At age nine, he was enraptured.

In high school at Meadowbrook, he spent hours in the art room, sometimes skipping other classes, just to be with his 'first love'. His first piece of work that got some real exposure was a portrait he did while he was on a trip to a Sandals Resorts property. So far, he has sold one piece, and his portfolio contains some rather impressive pieces in different media.

But Tobi has been cheating, sharing, he would prefer to call it, over the year. Craft has always been a part of the affair. Going through some books one day, he saw one on knitting and crocheting and found it quite interesting.

Tobi: "I get some thread and start to emulate it. I got one loop, then I got a next loop ... then I saw an old lady doing it, and asked to borrow one of her needles, and she lent me. I returned it."

Yet, he didn't stop there. He sharpened two pencils, and ta-dah! He had his own needles. Tobi: "I was determined to learn this craft."

After many tries, he acquired the skills of knitting, weaving and crocheting. The reaction from the people around him was positive, and he was encouraged. At school, he assisted his teachers in preparing charts and posters. When he received a grade three for art in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exam, he was very disappointed, because he knew he could do better. Since then, he has been encouraged to enrol at Edna Manley College, but that is another (financial) story.

Tobi's occupation is quite itinerant. It principally involves knitting of hats, shoulder bags, mats and runners, and the weaving of wristbands, which are popular with high school students. The colourful bands are mainly personalised. The patriotic and the loyal can get the name of their country, club, team or school neatly woven into the bands. They are ideal accessories for sports days.

Cricket World Cup 2007 was good for him as his wristbands with Jamaican and Caribbean colours were quickly snatched up. But, can he survive on this rather informal venture? Tobi says yes. He's still struggling, but has no debts.

And to those who might say that what he's doing is not a real job, he said, "If you love something and are dedicated to that thing, whether it's a pastime or a full-time job, it will always please you ... and earn for you. The books I have read, and the people I have read about speak about the difficulties in their life and how they overcame the obstacles by doing something for themselves and working up the ladder ... that inspired me to do likewise."

His life ambition is to be his own boss, doing what he loves, while creating employment for others. Yet, for now, he's not averse to being employed to any organisation. However, he would say to a prospective employer, "If you want to give me a job, I will still be doing my art. I will lay it down to them face to face: I will take it (the job), but I will still be dedicated to my craft."

'Birds of Paradise', one of Tobi Johnson's pieces.

FOOTNOTE

On October 2, His Story was given a certificate of commendation by the Press Association of Jamaica, in collaboration with Jamaica Broilers, at the 2007 Fair Play Awards. It was the only entry to have received such a recognition, and so I say thanks to all the men and young men who gave me the opportunity to tell their story. Keep on shining.

paul.williams@gleanerjm.com <