So...another break from painting. At some point I will end up posting some new work, of course after I have started painting new work. I probably am suffering a little bit of blank canvas syndrome right now – a creative block that is holding me back from starting a new series of paintings. This possibly derives from the fact it has been a few years since I painted a canvas piece now, which is quite a startling revelation.
I digress anyhow. This is not a moaning blog about why I seemingly am reluctant to put paint to canvas right now, when it really is a reality of just pulling a finger out my ass and just getting started! No, this recent break was much more enforced (and somewhat richly deserved). After a very hectic past year or so, my wife and I finally organised ourselves to book our honeymoon to South Africa – all done a month or two before we went, because we are that organised.
To make a long story short, it was incredible, with time spent in Stellenbosch (to relax and drink wine all day naturally), a Safari Reserve and Cape Town. Basically it was almost three mini trips in one and a lot of driving and trying to not to accidentally drive into a township.
One unexpected joy of this trip was visiting some art galleries and some craft markets around the vineyards in Stellenbosch and the Cape Town. Its sods law that even when you just want to ‘turn off’ from it all, something can catch you unaware and surprise you! Furthermore, we even bought a couple of pieces to bring back with us; one small original from Zach Mukwira and a print from Lesley Charnock.
Both these pieces caught our attention in different ways. I loved Mukwira’s use of colour and application with the palette knife, it was as fun and expressive as his personality, as he eloquently showed us through his works around the market stall. It’s always great chatting to fellow artists and particularly ones who have such a sense of joy within their work.
I wish we had more time to explore more of South Africa, and its history, culture and particularly art - although I somewhat feel I would be tempted to stay for longer and longer until I just wouldn’t bother coming back!
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