What are your earliest memories of Kingston?

My earliest memory would be way back in 1939 when my parents moved from St Ann’s Bay to Kingston and I was going to the All Saints primary school on West Street and Matthews Lane. That’s where I first started going to school in Kingston.

What do you miss when you are not in Kingston?

Well, I live in the country now so I am not in Kingston most of the time. I would say sometimes I miss the hustle and the bustle, which I wanted to get away from — that’s why I went to the country. I live in a very isolated place — Orange Park, St Thomas — so what I truly like is the quiet.

What are your favourite home comforts?

I love being able to paint at home.

What would you do if you were mayor (of Kingston) for a day?

I would enlarge the National Gallery.

What is your middle name?

Barrington. My first name is Basil.

Where did the desire to become a painter come from?

It just happened. I was born with it, I suppose… I suspect I wanted to paint from birth.

Who is your favourite artist?

Me. What can I tell you? I do have a lot of favourites but I am my own favourite.

What was the last bit of music you listened to that you truly enjoyed?

Beethoven’s Concerto No 5.

What was your last retail therapy indulgence?

I walked into a shop in Miami and saw some slacks I liked and bought four pairs.

What is your preferred beverage?

Cognac.

What upsets you?

I am a diabetic, so anything that I cannot eat would upset me.

What was your most memorable meal in Kingston?

I usually eat at Redbones when I’m in Kingston. I like their chicken salad.

What would be your advice to a first-time visitor to Kingston?

I would advise you to visit a gallery on Hope Road called Gallery Barrington.

What are your favourite spots on the island?

Orange Park where I live.

Share your most-loved destinations in your black book.

I like New York in the United States; Rio de Janeiro in Brazil; in Europe, I love London and Amsterdam.

What do you think of the current generation of Jamaican artists?

Jamaican art has a long way to go and will go a long way because Jamaicans are very talented. There is a lot of young talent, but they have to develop first for me to tell who is going to be good. I even have a grandson Kai that’s a painter. But it’s hard for me to single out any one artist because I’m not actively in the field seeing the younger artists.

Is there a favourite painting that you have created?

The one I’m going to do. All the others were preparation for the next one..

What is your personal philosophy?

One step at a time.