Impala Stampede

I went with a small group of Joburg Sketchers into the city on Saturday, to the financial district on Main St. I wanted to draw this sculpture which is a replica (or restoration?) of one created by Herman Wald - commissioned in the 60's by Harry Oppenheimer in memory of his father Ernest. The iconic original bronze was located nearby in the Oppenheimer Park, but during a stage of urban decay and neglect was vandalised and presumably sold for scrap.
Anyway, here it is now, looking beautiful  - joyous in summer, as I last saw it, with fountains playing and agapanthus blooming. But on this autumn day with a chilly wind whistling round the tall buildings, me sniffing and snorting with the back end (I hope) of a rotten cold and the statue mostly in shade, all seemed a bit deserted and forlorn, with the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court peering sternly through the grasses. The security guards who stopped to chat assured me that during the week it's a hive of activity, so perhaps I'll go back when it's busier (and in summer when it's warmer.)
The only other interaction I had was with a rather unsteady fellow who wanted to discuss politics with me, but couldn't quite remember the politician's name he wanted to talk about - and also omitted to remove his earphones so couldn't hear my point of view if I'd had one. All in all not the best ever day out sketching, but at least I can tick the Impalas off my to-do list!

Anniversary Special

                     

Bruce and I astonishingly reached 35 years of marriage last week, and celebrated by taking a trip -♫♪♩♬ just the two of us ♫♪♩♬ - to the little town of Clarens in the eastern Free State, just 4 hours drive from Joburg. It's a place I've always wanted to visit, being renowned for its scenic beauty and its bounteous artistic community. No wonder artists gravitate there, the surrounding countryside is breathtakingly magnificent and I certainly felt the pull of becoming a landscape painter. From the car window I did attempt one quick sketch of some of the enormous sky, which looked like a supremely adept artist had wielded a giant paintbrush of infinite blues across it. How inadequate were my little bag of materials and dabbings.

       

 It was, however, our anniversary, so I couldn't spend our time sketching while my beloved amused himself, but did a couple of hurried scribbles here and there, mostly for my own memory banks (if I don't sketch it, how will I ever remember it?)

We hiked, and drove, and explored the nearby Golden Gate national park where I tried to capture some shy baboons. Not as used to cars as some troops we've seen, they lolloped off as soon as they sensed they were being watched. I could watch and draw them all day, such characters, so full of human characteristics!

Another few opportunities snatched while we sampled the Clarens Craft beer, a cup of tea in a café (the Artist's Café of course!),

one of three delicious dinners we had in different restaurants in town... this table appeared to be of brothers and their spouses who eat out a lot together - hardly a word was exchanged! And the couple on the left only had eyes for each other...

and some local residents from the car while Bruce did something useful and necessary. So very much more to draw and paint - one would have to move there to really have a chance to do a fraction of it. But a wonderful trip in every way, not least of all spending dedicated time alone with my very special man! 

Blubird of Happiness

Refiloe behind her veggie stall

View from our café table

Honey and pots for sale

Pastel de Nata!

 The Joburg Sketchers went to the Blubird Wholefood Market on Sunday morning - invited by the organiser, it was nice to feel so welcome! Interesting to note the different reactions to our presence in this upmarket shopping centre after the lively feedback we had in the city a few weeks ago... some surreptitious peeks over my shoulder, sideways glances and generally non-committal. One lady came over for a friendly chat before asking, "you are going to vote for the D.A. aren't you?" so I think she had an ulterior motive!
We were joined by four new sketchers - with one originally from Lisbon, and Pasteis de Nata on sale at a bakery stall, it was lovely to reminisce on the Lisbon urban sketching Symposium of three years ago. Registration has opened for the 2014 Symposium in Paraty, Brazil and I'm sad not to be rushing to put my name down - just too far away and too much expense for a few days of sketching indulgence, tempting as it is!