DWAYNE Hamilton always loved art, but never took it seriously until he realised that art provided a business opportunity.

The Ocho Rios resident said it was disappointment with his salary after leaving college which drove him to become an entrepreneur.

“I was doing art on and off, but took it serious after college.

“I was working at Hi-Lo supermarket and saved and went to college. After college, I was getting less pay than my previous job,” Hamilton said while strongly indicating that he was very disappointed and decided to take the big step to become an entrepreneur.

“I decided to be an entrepreneur and do my business full-time.” Hamilton explained that he does the art form known as pointillism, which is using dots to create images.

“Whenever I do my work, people think it was done by computer. For persons to think that means I am doing well,” he said, while informing that he is working to create his name as an outstanding artist.

While he studied design arts in high school, Hamilton said most of what he now does is self-taught.

He also does portraits, designs for T-shirts, and a myriad of other art work. His business, which is done through an online medium, includes designing and selling T-shirts.

While running a business can be challenging, Hamilton said people have been receptive to his work. However, he pointed out that being an entrepreneur is not an easy task.

“It’s rough now and then. It requires a lot of patience and seriousness,” Hamilton said while further informing that for his business to thrive, he manages three websites and constantly monitors social media.

Hamilton said it is his dream to become a well-established artist in the next five years.

“I want to open a gallery. You have to create a name because if no one knows you, no one will buy your art.

His work has so far earned him several awards from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Hamilton now attends the Institute of Advanced Technology where he is doing a course in web page design.

The young man still finds the time to volunteer, assisting students at the Ocho Rios and Iona High schools. He says it is also his intention to host workshops which will help students doing design arts in CSEC.