At 17, Jeremiah Tangianau from Rutaki is making life easier for his family, not just with his paintbrush but with his commitment to his parents.

After school every day and during weekends and holidays, Tangianau immerses himself into painting pareus, the traditional Cook Islands sarong, in and around his family’s workshop on Rarotonga.

For him, this creative pursuit is much more than a hobby as this means that it is an important source of livelihood that helps his family make ends meet.

Tangianau’s parents have been designing and selling hand-painted garments for more than 20 years, building their reputation on detailed designs and good workmanship.

While his two other siblings are overseas, it’s just Tangianau at home with his parents and balancing college studies with the responsibility of supporting them through their business.

“We lay the pareu on plywood all carved out in different designs, then we paint it. For me, it’s been over five years now but my dad has been painting most of his life,” he said.

“I was forced at first to help but overtime I got used to it and grew passionate about it. My mom has been doing it for over 20 years now.”

“We have another shop in town but this is just while I’m on the school holiday, selling other stuff on the side of the road.”

Tangianau’s interest in art dates back more than five years ago, having spent many hours in the workshop watching his parents transform ordinary fabrics into beautiful pieces of art.

Over the years, he’s honed his own skills, becoming a proficient painter in his own right.

While his current focus is on supporting his family, Tangianau has bigger dreams.

He aspires to become a technician.

Despite the demands of school and the workshop, he remains steadfast in his studies as the way for him to have a better life ahead.

“I’ve been looking to be a technician, but that’s for the future,” he said.

Local customers and tourists alike were drawn to the authenticity and beauty of the pareus sold by the teenager as he plied his trade on the side of the road in a small shelter.

His parents focus on the main store in town where the family sells other handicrafts and local sewed fabrics like dresses.

Tangianau’s advice to the younger generation is to “do your best honestly and try your hardest to become successful in life”.