Local painter Justin Gaffrey began his career as an artist after working many years as a chef and local restaurant owner. Justin was actually building furniture in 2000 when a primitive Caribbean folk style painting caught his eye and inspired, he painted something similar on a piece of furniture.
The piece sold in just one week, and that was when Justin realized that there were many ways to express himself through art, whether it be the culinary variety he was so familiar with, or through the furniture he was creating. Once he had picked up that paintbrush, there was no stopping Justin. After numerous unsuccessful attempts at painting his personal thoughts and ideas, he finally started painting obsessively each and every day, and today is a successful and creative artist with his own unique style.
Justin would study the works of other painters, including the greats such as Monet and Van Gogh to observe their technique, and outside of a normal daily work routine, Justin found inspiration at every turn. Normal everyday sights became a reason to paint, and some days Justin would paint for 12 hours. His style could be deemed as folk and primitive art, somewhat similar to the style of Woodie Long, a popular local folk artist who sadly passed away in October.
