Currents of Strength: ‘Celebrity Artist’ brings his brushstrokes to Haverhill

HAVERHILL — From hand-drawing portraits of his teachers to delivering paintings to Michael Jordan, this artist’s handiwork brings him from the Bahamas to all across the globe. His most recent stop: downtown Haverhill.

International influencer and artist Jamaal Rolle, known as “The Celebrity Artist,” has traveled the globe showcasing his artistic talent with painted murals and portraits.

He brushed the final strokes of his most recent work on Oct. 12 in downtown Haverhill, finishing a mural on the wall of NH Beach Pizza, 181 Merrimack St.

The mural, titled “Currents of Strength,” features a bald eagle soaring over the Merrimack River with the Basiliere Bridge in the background, all symbolic elements that Rolle included to honor the community.

The project took two weeks to paint, with Cindi Gianopoulos, a Lawrence resident and photographer, brushing alongside Rolle.

As a fan and friend of his, Gianopoulos was named his apprentice for the project, learning from his handiwork and advancing her own artistic skills.

“He works crazy hours day and night,” Gianopoulos said. “But there’s so much to learn from him.”

The two met in the Bahamas, where they formed a friendship after Rolle painted portraits of Gianopoulos’ dogs and father.

Through Gianopoulos, Rolle connected with local art-promoting non-profit organizations like Beyond Walls and Creative Haverhill. Based in Lynn, Beyond Walls funded the project and provided Rolle with the materials he needed.

Gianopoulos and her family hosted Rolle at their Lawrence residence during his stay, providing him with meals, transportation, and accommodation as he worked.

Despite facing flight delays due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, Rolle arrived in Haverhill just in time for the city’s Art Walk on Sept. 28.

He hosted one of his “Partici-paint” events at the Haverhill Art Walk, where local residents are invited to make their own mark on the canvas before Rolle completes it.

Participants of all ages grabbed a brush, bucket, and apron, leaving paint strokes along the wall of NH Beach Pizza. Rolle uses the public’s contributions as inspiration for how he will continue the mural.

“That feeling of warmth from the community as young kids paint,” Rolle said. “To see the joy on the kids’ faces as they make their mark on the wall is just such a great experience.”

Rolle’s passion for art began in his youth, drawing inspiration from his father. Despite growing up in a large, underprivileged family in the Bahamas, Rolle said his parents constantly taught him and his siblings morals and principles to guide them.

His career began by drawing portraits of his teachers as a child.

After one teacher paid him for their picture, Rolle said he felt his artistic journey had truly begun. The sense of someone appreciating his artwork brought joy to Rolle, helping him through times of depression, he said.

“Art was the only thing that was a light for me at the end of the day,” Rolle said, “Art was that lifeline, escape, and therapy for me.”

From there, he became a street artist, dedicating himself to showcasing his skills to the world. Rolle would paint portraits of celebrities, contact their management teams, and offer to hand-deliver their client his artwork.

His breakthrough came when he heard back from Miley Cyrus, presenting her a portrait and then bumping into Lil Jon.

Rolle’s flight back to the Bahamas was scheduled the next day, but Lil Jon requested a portrait before he departed. In one day, Rolle painted the Atlanta rapper onto a canvas and delivered the portrait. Lil Jon began to tell his friends of Rolle’s services, coining the nickname, “The Celebrity Artist.”

Not long after, requests from superstars began pouring in as phone calls from agents and managers filled the artist’s voicemail.

“Everyone started calling me and saying, ‘I heard you are the celebrity artist,’” Rolle said, “So I picked up the name and that was what I became.”

Rolle eventually painted portraits for high-profile figures like Prince Harry, Oprah Winfrey, Pope Francis, and many others.

“This is the best portrait I’ve ever gotten of me,” Martha Stewart said after receiving hers.

Despite his success working with celebrities, Rolle remains grounded, drawing parallels between the stars he’s painted for and the every-day people he met in Haverhill.

“They are all just humans and all just as hospitable,” Rolle said. “Whether I’m talking with Lebron James or talking to the people of Haverhill, artwork can bring any two people together. Art is the unifier.”

As the world began to witness Rolle’s talent, his name became more and more popular back home. In 2022, he was selected as the Bahamas Ambassador to UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes peace and security through arts, sciences, education, and culture.

Much of his art draws inspiration from activist movements, addresses educational issues, and supports government officials.

“The Celebrity Artist” continues to support communities through his artistic journey and is coordinating the upcoming official reveal of the Haverhill mural.