The Tankwa re visited – April 2023

Jun 22, 2023Oct 19, 2024 ~ Des ~ Leave a comment

My world is waking, a canvas of tranquillity unfolds. Clusters of pale Naples yellow grass move gracefully, their slender blades swaying in perfect harmony with the gentle breeze that caresses this soon to be hot place. The pre-dawn glow tints the east with a muted orange hue, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape.

Silhouetted against the painted sky, the rocks stand as sentinels, their darkened forms, and my yesterday’s sculptures contrast against the emerging light. The distant hills emerge in delicate layers, and the secrets of the forthcoming day are revealed. Each moment of this sunrise brings a new revelation, a gradual unveiling of beauty and possibility.

With each step I take across the ridge, the shale floor scrunches underfoot, reminding me of the rugged terrain that surrounds me. The familiar crunch serves as a humble reminder that I am but a visitor in this grand symphony of nature. The moon and stars, brilliant just a few minutes ago, fade away, surrendering their stage to the sun.

As the first rays’ peek over a faraway mountain range, the world begins its metamorphosis. Soft shadows, like gentle fingers, reach out across the land, illuminating the sparce scrub and breathes life into the lone acacia that stands tall next to the fractured reservoir, a sentinel in this forgotten oasis.

In the distance, the majestic Cederberg range emerges, bathed in a palette of pink and mauve, its peaks seemingly painted by an artist’s brush. The colours blend seamlessly, creating a breathtaking vista that captures the essence of dawn’s beauty in the west. The tranquillity of this moment envelopes me, and I am overcome by the profound sense of harmony and peace in the stillness.

Sitting amongst the rocks surrounded by a symphony of colour and serenity reminds me of the sacredness of the natural world, and the importance of embracing it.

In this gentle dance of light and shadows, I find solace and inspiration. I wish I could share this feeling with others who are caught up in the chaos and noise of the world, tell them that there is peace and a silent sanctuary somewhere out there, if only they could find it.

My profound connection with nature is reinforced and I am once again filled with gratitude for my life.

Art

Feb 16, 2023Dec 17, 2024 ~ Des ~ Leave a comment

Three and a half years ago, when I gave up a living for a life, I chose this place and this time, by design. The reasons behind the move may not be explained here, but what I wanted for this new life of mine was clear. One of the tangible reasons was to become a full-time artist. I had worked and owned an art gallery for the last 20 years in my previous life and now it was time for me to create daily. I have worked in radically different careers and in different countries; occupations as diverse as the artwork I now create.
My diversity comes, from not only wanting to try it all, but more importantly, to express my thoughts, feelings and experiences in a manner or material that feels right, without words. I paint; semi realistically and abstractly, in acrylic and oil, sculpt in ceramic, wood and bronze, love conceptual creations, do assemblage, and have dabbled in photography. Every unconfined, creative day is a joy and a surprise!

Creative expression is a wonderful way to navigate trauma. It is a way to process without words.

If I had one wish for the world it would be to have every person, create something.
In order to grow, to learn, to express, to heal, to understand, to respect and to value, we need to create.

9 months!

Mar 30, 2020Feb 6, 2023 ~ Des

Where did the time go…if I don’t catch up now, I will forget everything that happened during the last 4-5 months. Winter came and went and was mild according to the locals. It was, but with some freezing days, mild for the rest. I worked hard in the garden …large rockery actually! Jonathan, my hardworking gardener, and I cleaned, cut, weeded, fixed the front fence, and erected a new 30m back fence…I learned a lot! Moved hundreds of stones (no gym required), river stones that litter my property. The garden is now clean and neat, and I can see the wood from the trees and am rearranging my little landscape.

I adventured out a lot, took many photos and lived the life I had hoped for:) I 4×4’d and cycled all over the area. We had some fantastic rain! More in January than the whole of last year!

IMG_20200119_192841_466 — Gamka River after the first rains

IMG_20200121_181339 — Dorps River Swartberg Pass

IMG_20200202_093542-01 — Mammatus Clouds

IMG_20200209_093634 — Newly explored roads

IMG_20200228_103210 — Climbing -some adrenaline on the last day of my 63rd year:)

IMG_20200301_103549-01 — Bushman painting “Swift”

I was involved with the Marketing for Prince Albert Open Studios which kept me busy right up to Open Studios on 3rd January. I painted the inside of my house, with help from so great painters. This we did in three sessions and my home looks great now, what a difference a coat of paint makes. I also converted my “office” into a small gallery called Studio 51 where I sell my own and work of other artists.

I collected my daughter and granddaughter from Cape Town International on 24th November – I had not seen them since she was born, and she was then eighteen months old. What a joy and privilege to be a Granny, I was a little nervous that she may not want a hug or connect…but it took about a minute, and she lifted her arms to me to pick her up and she gave me the best hug ever – what a gift:) She has named me Gaya:) I love it

We spend some time together in CT and here at home and the extended family joined us for Christmas. It was a great time. And then they were all gone! So quiet…but I am glad they live in Europe and have a better future.

And then Covid-19……!!

Tankwa Karoo 29.5.2019 – 1.6.2019

Jun 2, 2019Feb 25, 2023 ~ Des

In between closing and packing up my business and packing up my city home and moving to my new home and life, after 18 years – I was invited to attend a land art residency programme in the Tankwa Karoo, on Stonehenge Farm. A remote, harsh, dry, barren, stark area, with boundless beauty and never-ending vistas and skylines! I was concerned about the timing, but, in the spirit of change and embracing my new life, I went! And what a great decision it turned out to be…..

Tankwa (3) — Sky Labyrinth Stonehenge Farm

Besides the physical journey mostly on dirt roads in wide-open space, it was quite an emotional and spiritual journey….I met amazingly creative people from diverse backgrounds who were very welcoming and non-judgemental…. Learning to connect with people is part of this new journey and it was easier than I expected! I find I connect more easily when I am away from my ‘boxes’….. Hopefully, this will translate well when I move… I will not be defined by my career, my past, my insecurities…..I also hope to connect more with myself!

Tankwa (5)

Tankwa (4) Tankwa (7)

I had time to meditate and think and listen. Each evening there was a time with the group of fifteen to partake in Reflections… Sharing the day’s events, I was able quite easily to do this….it was sharing an experience, it was not a reflection of me! It was good and I mean to continue with this practice on my new life:)

Some of the Land Art I photographed: