By: Melissa Reese

Amoako Buachie is an artist with autism, and has a profound gift and love for painting. Amoako was born in Brooklyn, New York February 27, 1991. He was raised by his mother, Akosua Mainu, who migrated to the U.S from Ghana in 1986. As for siblings, Amoako has one brother, Aaron Buachie, who is 6 years younger. Amoako’s passion for art started at age two. When his mother noticed him drawing and doodling on paper, she bought him his first sketch pad at age five—a Magna Doodle. As a child, Amoako would use his pad to draw characters from his favorite Warner Bros. cartoons. Between ages ten and thirteen, Amoako was able to draw exact portraits of not only cartoon characters, but various objects and landscapes. By age eighteen, Amoako developed an interest in painting and began to refine his craft by studying the legendary artist, Leonardo da Vinci. It was at Jim Thorpe high school that his art teacher, Ms. Audrey Lacey, noticed that he had a special gift and helped him develop his skills as a painter. During this time, Amoako harnessed his craft and usage of acrylics and water color paint. It was in her class that he painted his first portrait of his friend Andre.