Despite feeling overlooked and unwelcome within Jamaica’s art fraternity, 40-year-old Ann-Marie Watkis Walters is refusing to let rejection stop her from chasing her dream of becoming a successful artist.

“Sometimes I compare myself and think I am not good enough,” Watkis Walters told THE STAR. “But I’ve learnt not to give up but to better my craft and keep going. I see myself growing as a successful artist, owning my own gallery and sharing what I learn with others who want to grow in the art world.”

During the daytime, Watkis Walters works as an office attendant but, in the evenings and on weekends, she paints, creating pieces inspired by Jamaican culture, memories and everyday life. Her artwork is displayed at a shop operated by her family in front of the Constant Spring Police Station.