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A FAMILY A FLAIR A family of talented artists, Eddie Minnis, his daughters, Nicole and Roshanne, and his son-in-law Ritchie, regularly exhibit together. Each has his own distinct style, technique and choice of subject matter, but together their body of work adds up to a vivid portrait of Bahamian life. Words by Natasha Were orn in Nassau and now based in Eleuthera, Eddie Minnis’ canvasses take a wide-angle look at life, depicting simple street scenes, historic buildings, land and seascapes. Although impressionist in style and painted in oils using a palette knife, each is meticulously precise: the product, no doubt, of his training in architecture – something that although he never pursued, Minnis says, instilled in him an appreciation for structure and perspective.
His depictions of tired clapboard cottages, flaming poinciana trees and bougainvillea-covered plantation-style houses, all shimmer with tropical sunlight and are infused with vibrant colours. As if alluding to a gentler time, however, there is a notable absence of the trappings of modern life in Minnis’ work: no telegraph poles, cars, or street signs. “Such things take away from the natural beauty of our environment,” he says. “I use my artistic licence to put utilities underground… and no parking is allowed on my streets.” RL
