Jarmila Jackson, Features Writer

On the border of Wilton Gardens (Rema) and Denham Town in Kingston, across from the old Remand Centre, sits a house distinctly different from those surrounding it. Though constructed of the customary block and cement, its walls are painted to look like bricks. Outside, is a bench, painted in the image of the Jamaican flag and on the inside is a different world entirely. On one wall in the living room is painted a beautiful sunset in the shadow of a palm tree, on another, a waterfall runs through a forest and on the ceiling is a radiant sunshine. On the ceiling in the bedroom, the artist/homeowner has painted a spider's web.

"Mi caan get up an nuh paint," says inner city-based artist, Michael 'Lloydi-goose' Robinson. "Dat's why di house look so. Every year mi change it. Next time you come down here mi ago tile off di whole a di concrete. Pure artwork you ago see."

Graduating from the Edna Manley School of Art in 1995 and reputed to be the most talented of that batch, he is often asked to assist in the teaching of current classes, but can never really find the time. He is heavily sought after, and in addition to his never-ending contracts, he has a class of his own to teach.

"Mi have about five people round mi. We do flat painting, murals and interior painting. Di yout dem always happy, cause dem nuh have nutten an mi jus a help dem. You know how far da yute deh come from? St. Thomas," he says pointing to a man attending to the wall bordering the building across the street. It's a current project of his - 'Heroes and Emblems'. The wall is covered with images of the nation's national heroes and emblems. This is a voluntary effort, "jus fi beautify the community. Just do it offa mi own willingness, true it in front a mi home."

His skill is not limited to wall-painting. He has done murals for a number of music studios, stage show backdrops and billboards. "Mi a all form of artist, you know. Anyting inna art, mi do sculptures, carvings and portraits. People always order dem ting, whole heap a dem mi not even remember."

It is through his murals that Lloydi-goose spreads his message of hope and promise. His themes are generally positive and reflect national achievements and images of inspiration. His 'Wall of Honour' can be seen on Arthur Wint Drive and in various other locations across the island. "Mi deal wid all the school dem inna di community and outside the community, like Morant Bay Junior High and St Thomas Technical. Right now, the principal from Dinthill Technical call mi fi paint Asafa Powell down there. If you notice di kinda painting dem wa mi a do, mi a try fi elevate di people dem. You can't just do some painting wid some man have up some big long gun".

He says it takes patience, dedication, love and a lot of encouragement to be involved in this type of profession and he takes the responsibility of providing that source for those he mentors. Laughing, he recalls his early days; "First painting mi do was a Marcus Garvey. Mi rememba mi tek all three day fi do it, now it tek bout 35 minutes, an mi memba a man pass an seh, 'Betta yu try fishing,' an mi always memba dat."