Kenya Blog – Second Instalment

Halfway through my residency I’m happily settled into the rhythm of camp life in Lolldaiga; early starts, if lucky up to watch the sunrise sitting on Philosophy Rock, Mount Kenya blushing as the sun lifts her gaze. Then a few hours exploring the conservancy by vintage Landrover, golden morning light, binoculars, sketch book and camera balanced on my lap. Encounters with lion are an extraordinary treat, but quietly I’m no less excited to see elephant, zebra, giraffe and impala…Back at camp, a welcome black coffee handed out by Mr T, and a really delicious breakfast (I can’t lie, I’m loving being fed, not having to think about shopping or cooking!); the day still stretches out ahead.

Studio work starts with a bit of video and photo admin, trying to be strict with myself about indexing and editing the many images I have taken to extend this experience and have material to inspire future work when I can’t just spill out in a Landrover to sit amongst the scenery here. Usually by 10am I’m in full flow with pencil or charcoal in hand, resolving sketches or ideas from the morning drive, then moving on to whatever is on the easel.

My loose plan on coming here was to spend the first week exploring, sketching and prepping canvases to then paint in the second week. With an eye on the need for paintings to have time to dry, I hoped to then focus on drawing for the final days out here. Pretty happy at this stage, sadly well into week 3, that I have so far played this out and a collection of work slowly builds. Happy to discover that the discipline I have established at home has translated to a practice out here in a short time.

This largish oil of elephants is now drying in preparation for being removed from the stretcher bars, rolled up and flying home.

After lunch, another communal gathering with whoever is in camp, I am either found drawing with children of guests in the mess tent, or back in the studio working. Happy distractions to this include hearing elephants down at the waterhole and running down with pencils and paper, or packing my kit up to head of painting out on the reserve, the hardest thing about which is choosing where to set up (and finding it in the first place!)

Occasional I will join another game drive with guests, but as the days have gone by, I feel more of a draw to finish work back in camp, tucked away in the Artist house or painting by the bird table if I feel like company…The culmination of my time out here has been a large charcoal drawing on Fabriano paper, pulling together all the animals and experiences I have had here. It has occurred to me that the charcoal, in creating strong powerful marks, but also soft shadows, and in its fragility, easily rubbed away, reflects the nature of the subject and careful balance that exists here. Having emptied an entire can of hairspray to try and fix the marks I have made before rolling up this large drawing and stuffing in a tube, I wonder what it will look like on arrival at home! I feel it might be inspiration for a larger oil painting… and the artists house I will leave smiling like a hair dresser!

I try and finish by 6 as the light consistently fades and sundowners beckon! A quick shower to remove charcoal, paint, and ease muscles (not from exercise I hasten to add, not much of that beyond some basic yoga/pilates has happened!) but from standing or sitting in concentration mode for too long.

A G&T from Mr T, and the bliss of contemplating another day in the bush, either by the wood burner or fire pit, sometimes alone waiting for guests to return from their drive, or joining an always warm interesting conversation, always feeling like the luckiest girl alive.

There has been the odd expedition out of camp, notably to the lower slopes of Mount Kenya, where you feel like you’ve entered a different world, of endlessly tall ancient cedars, lush vegetation and and new camp in progress, Ontulili forest camp. Another reason to come back to see the vision of Ed, Moon and Jimmi, heart of the Safari Series team, come to life. Oh, and my contribution was painting a sign, so feel personally invested!

As this experience draws to an end, it is impossible not to feel sad, I feel so happy here in this intoxicating, extraordinary place. It has lived up to and beyond expectation. I’m proud of having realised this dream, and produced at least the beginning of a collection of paintings and drawings that will grow over the next year or so.

It has been a sensory overload from start to finish, from the people, wildlife and many different landscapes that I have been surrounded by, and, with a little of it all lodged in my soul, I guess as I sit on the plane home that it’s the start, not the end of something.