Bjorn Burke, STAR Writer

The creation of awe-inspiring sculptures are second nature to artisan Johnny Blaze, who has spent the better part of his life honing his trade so he can one day surpass the prowess of reputed Italian artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.

For 48-year-old Ezekiel 'Johnny Blaze' Walters, who hails from Port Morant in St Thomas, mediocrity in his trade as a sculptor is unacceptable. Reaching for the stars, Walters hopes to one day be remembered in a fashion similar to that of the arguably unparalleled great, Michelangelo.

"Mi a pree fi go higher than him. Michelangelo stage weh him inna dem time deh, mi know mi can go a higher level," a self-assured Walters told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"I want to do better or neater than him. I want my name call like fi him name. Mi just want to be even a edge over him. I'm doing the work to show say a that step mi a make."

According to Walters, his father introduced him to the world of art from a tender age. He, however, admits that he differs greatly from his father, who took a liking to painting. Sculpting and carving pieces of wood has been and continues to be his forte.

"My father is an artist. Him do painting and he did a little carving. The stage weh me reach, my father nuh know nothing about this," he explained. "This is an inborn thing. Me come up and know myself a do little carving from me a go a infant school."

Perfect his art

While other boys his age were busy fishing, flying kites or playing with gigs, a young Walters was steadfast in his craft, finding new and inventive ways to perfect his art. As a result of his skill, the artist even began to capture the attention of several girls in his community. The father of two explained that when he was roughly 9 years old, he would carve attractive wooden pins which girls would affix to their blouses. It became a hit as word spread.

"At that age, mi a see further than my age. Hear what entice me more now; Mi start get little girlfriend!" a beaming Walters said.

Research

By the age of 16, Johnny Blaze decided that sculpting is an art form which he was desirous of pursuing for a lifetime. He diligently got to work and started researching the craft.

"Mi start go library and read one and two books about patterns and designs and those things," he said.

"I searched for Michelangelo books and those things because dem say a him do the portrait of Christ. I looked fi dem thing fi motivate my mind to go a higher level, not to copy them."

The 'carver man', as he is called by a few in his community, is admittedly a bit disillusioned as a result of what he thinks is his lack of sufficient exposure.

"The stage where I am right now, mi need fi go a Europe go see some European carving," said a sincere Walters. "Mi need fi a go Japan to see some Japanese carving. Mi need fi go a Rome fi see some Rome art. Just like the entertainers, that a the phase me a look at right ya now," he said.

Today, Walters sells his wares in the Port Antonio Craft Market, which he said is a painfully slow process because "no cruise ship nah too run deh".

Another issue, he said, is that fact that potential clients are rarely ever willing to pay for the quality of his product and are often disconcerted upon hearing his prices . But, he says, they are worth it.

"Mi want mi ting dem reach to a place weh a bid yuh bid fi dem," he stated. "Mi ting fi deh inna some gallery fi up front and people a bid for dem. The sky a di limit. Me try fi make mi thing look real as possible," he said, noting that his pieces are one-of-a-kind.

Persons interested in getting in touch with the artist may contact him at (876) 482-8339.