( L - R ) Steve Taylor, Claude Taylor

In the deep rural community of Mill Bank, Portland, where farming is a way of life, it is quite uncommon to meet an individual who does not identify himself as a farmer. But brothers Claude and Steve Taylor have defied the odds by starting their own art and craft business.

Though the two have never graced the halls of any prestigious art school locally or abroad, they are hoping to carve a niche for themselves.

Sitting on a stool in his small workshop, Steve skilfully paints a small image of the national bird on a piece of dried and polished calabash husk carved in the shape of a cup. He holds the cup up to his face while he carefully studies the image, as his face relaxes into a wide grin.

Self-taught

"Mi never go school go learn how fi draw or do none a this eenuh, trust mi a just talent and hard work," he said with a deep sense of pride.

The brothers said they owed much of what they know to a man from Kingston, Vincent Dacres, who a few years ago spent some time in Mill Bank and showed them how to make a few craft items.

"Him show we how to make a few things and then we just build pon what him teach we," Steve said.

The brothers now make large and small beer cups, bangles, salt and pepper shakers and ashtrays, which they sell in the tourist towns of Montego Bay, St James and Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Though business has been slow, due to the world economic crisis the brothers are remaining grateful to God for his goodness.

No money and no tools

Claude recalled that a few years ago when they decided to start their own business they had no money and no tools.

"We borrow one tin of varnish and from there so we start a thing," he said. "After we mek the first set, we go market and sell and buy back the varnish and try again."

The teamwork and unity between the two brothers is quite evident, as they exist in harmony in their small workshop. "We try fi share and work together the best we can," Steve said. "If me no have something, him give me and a di same way wid mi."

The two have had their share of disappointment over the years but still have undaunted hope.

In August and December last year, they lost their two older brothers - one to a heart attack and the other in a market truck accident in the Rio Grande Valley.

"We miss them bad but we just a gwaan live and work hard," Claude said.

In the meantime, they are hoping to get a steady market for their products, maybe even eventually exporting some of their wares.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com