Art from my trip!

A small selection of some of the art I came across in Nairobi. Some of the pieces I have brought back with me!!

Chilled African Music - Mama Africa

If you like african music then check out this mix I just found on youtube. Lovely stuff!

Moving Music

I find this song incredibly moving and somehow sums up the feeling I get when I am in Kenya. Enjoy

The Great work of the Red Cross in Kenya

The red cross have been doing a superb job during the recent events. With blood donation tents and support for the victims. They have helped with medical aid and also offer counselling for the victims.

If you would like to donate then the page is available here https://www.kenyaredcross.org

Also if you have facebook and twitter please share the website there also it will help massively!

Day 4 - Eric at Karen Blixen & Terrorist Attack

John and I returned to the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden today to see a different artist that was exhibiting his work. Eric is a wonderfully tall, friendly and welcoming chap. He is the artist who painted the lioness with the cub on her back that I was eager to buy. Thankfully it was still there and I had just managed to buy it before others were showing interest!

It was a beautiful day the warmest so far with blue skies and the odd bright white cloud overhead I wondered whether I should of applied some sun cream! Eric was eagerly listened to my ideas and plans and enthusiastically agreed to doing a video interview which will be available once I get back to the UK. After about 40 odd minutes of various video takes John and I settled down to some lunch. The food here is fantastic! John and I ordered the Burger and chips and I must say that these were the best chips/fries ive tasted. Perhaps its the variety of potato they use but they were gold in colour, crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy inside.

We washed it all down with a bottle of White Cap afterwhich which John read on his phone of the terrible news that the westage shopping mall in the westlands had been attacked by armed terrorists. We had been to the shopping mall just two days ago which really brought the situation home. With reports that 10 people had died and many more injured my heart sinks. I just hope no more die. It is also strange to think that we are only 1.5km away from the mall.

We get back to the hotel and immediately put on the news to see what's happening at the mall. We hear choppers overhead and learn from the news that the death toll is much higher now with reports coming in of 20-30 dead and hundreds injured. The images and videos are depressingly saddening with people escaping desperately running to safety some covered in blood and some clutching their young children.

A slightly shaken chap, named Warner, appears at my open door where John and I are watching the news. He greets me with an English accent and I learn that he is from Brighton (Not far from Worthing). He explains he had just got back from the mall (time is now 5.30pm) where he had been hiding in a pitch black cinema for 3 hours. Luckily they were on the second floor when the terrorists charged in with grenades and indescrimenatly shooting civilians. He was visibly shaken and I offer him a beer because by god the man needed one. His girlfriend was with him at the time. He explains that they were on the ground floor just twenty minutes before the terrorists stormed in however, in a stroke of luck, his girlfriend was hungry so they ventured upstairs to get a pizza. They never managed to get the pizza as the sound of pop, pop, bang rattled round the mall with glass shattering and people screaming and running not knowing what to do they followed others into a cinema where they barricaded the door. After 30 minutes the manager moved them to another room but Warner decided to move away from the crowd so they ran behind the cinema screen and found a ladder which rises up to rafters obove the screen. They both scramble up the ladder where they laid up for 3 hours in complete darkness. They had a vantage point where eventually after three hours of horror they saw police and army come in rescuing other people who were hiding behind cinema seating.

I listen in horror at how things could of turned out for him. We have a few drinks and eventually go down for dinner a strange sense of normality for him after his ordeal today.

A truly sad day for many people and for Nairobi and all of Kenya.

Day 2 - Out of Africa: Karen Blixen

Day 2 - 25c Cloudy

Woke up bright an early (7am) to a cool nairobi morning feeling fresh but rather peckish I wandered on down to the dining area to some brekky which consisted of beans on toast and a freshly cooked fried eggs but with a kenyan twist of peppers, onions and some mild spices. All washed down with black tea and fruit juice.


I then headed back to my room to shower and prepare for the day. I waited by the pool with my folder and notes and laptop as I prepared for the week. John was due to arrive at 10.30am After some ginger beer and speaking to some friends on facebook and skype and even calling a few customers from skype John appeared proudly donning the safari on canvas T-Shirt.


We chatted for a bit and I went over some of the plans in place and what I needed to do today. A bit of an admin day we ventured off to a local mall where I bought a local sim card and a nokia 501 for 3300ksh (£20) I now have a kenyan number yay! This will make it much easier and indeed cheaper to stay in contact with people I meet out here. I withdrew some kenyan shillings from a cash machine and John and I bought a few tuskers (local kenyan beer) for later. THankfully there is a fridge in my room so I can keep them cold!


By 12pm John and I were starving so we headed back to the hotel for lunch where we embarked on a, regretting later, massive spicy chicken feast! We had some spring rolls and meat somosas to start then, as a lover if not self confessed addict of spicy chicken, ordered the chinese, but also described as peri peri, half a chicken each. It was delicious a mix, I would say, of chinese spices but with the familiar portogese twang and bite of peri peri chicken. I was hooked and John certainly didn’t seem to object to me ordering another 10 wings for us to share. Of course the wings are what broke the proverbial camels back as we drooped back into our chairs smiling but absolutely, in the style of King Henry the VIII, stuffed!


With no exact plans for the afternoon I asked John if he knew anywhere that we could drive too. John had just the place so we set off but with the demeanor of two children who have eaten too much candy at the pick and mix. We waddled off to the room to grab bits then set off in Johns car while we both moaned how full we were. However as mischievous John had promised the day before he would get me back for my trick at the airport. So im packing all my bits and pieces, camera check, wallet check, keys…. not check. I scramble around the room looking for the keys, checking my bag, the bed, the door. I look around confused and now with staff wondering whats wrong I start to explain I cant find the key I carry on looking around the room then I hear a familar tinkling from behind me with John and the other staff laughing there heads off. I chase John round the car park shouting “you git John!!!” Laughing over we make our way to the car and set off on Johns plan.


On the way to Johns secret location we passed a long road full of enterprising young men selling and trading, welding and fixing. You could buy anything along this road from Sofas and chairs to goats and vegetables. We eventually arrive at this beautiful place which is no other than the Karen Blixen Coffee Garden you may be familiar with Karen blixen if you have watched the film 'Out of Africa'


I look at John with excitement and intrigued as to where John has taken us. He explains there is a great artist here that he has seen here a few times. The artist called ‘The Wanderer’ exhibits his art here and even paints here too. The place has beautiful gardens and with an old colonial house with tea gardens where tourists come to relax and soak up the tranquil and historic atmosphere over afternoon tea.













I see The wanderer at his easel painting a scene familiar to me of the masai mara with three zebras grazing two with their backsides facing you. This makes me chuckle and gives me fond memories of our safari last year. I look around to see the rest of this young talented chaps work. I see elephants at sunset, masai warriors silhouetted by a bright orange sunset carrying back the days hunting bounty. This art is exactly what I had been looking for and John knew it too. An uncontrollable smile stretched on my face from ear to ear. My attention falls back to the artist with butterflies in my stomach worrying what I’m going to say to him with fears that he might not be interested in my new business. I shake my self off hold my head up high and march over to his eazel, apologising for interupting him, I stretch out my hand and introduce myself. I briefly explain what I’m doing in kenya and what I’m trying to achieve. I worry as a look of cynicism appears in his face (I later learn that some artists have, unfortunatley, been ripped off by dishonest art dealers…). I carry on nonetheless and over a few minutes he begins to smile and really likes the idea. Relieved and more confident I show him some print outs with all my contact details etc. I ask, with worry at the back of my mind he will say no, whether I can take photos of his work so i can put it on my website. He wholeheartedly agrees so I get snapping of my favourite pieces.

I buy three paintings from him and by now we are getting on very well. I get all his details and learn that his name is Joseph. Joseph the Wanderer. John and I leave paintings in hand and super happy to have an artist on board we set off back to the hotel still stuffed my I add from the chicken at lunch!












John and I return to the hotel and celebrate by opening a cold beer from the fridge. I thank John for taking me to see Joseph we laugh and joke and relax a bit watching the Kenyan version of Eastenders but with a lot more humour. Although its in swahili I sort of understand whats going on. In between shopkeepers falling out with customers and young women cackling with laughter over tea I check emails chat a bit on facebook and start making plans for tomorrow.


Its about 8pm now and although not particularly hungry we are both tired especially John who only got 3 or 4 hours sleep the night before. I suggest we get some dinner so he can a good nights sleep. We both had curry John had Fish Tikka and vegetable Rice while I had a chicken balti and requested it to be extra hot to satisfy my insatiable appetite for spicy food. I ordered garlic naan which is cooked fresh in the tandoori over by the pool and eating area outside. Although not a posh hotel the food is brilliant! Actually one of the best curries i've had. The naan is thin, crispy, buttery and very garlicy just how I like it!


John and I joked when I arrived that he will beat me again and eating as he, I will admit, beat me at the brazilian restaurant we ate at just before Gemma and I left kenya for home. Perhaps its because John has lost weight and is looking very well but I can proudly say I won this time. I couldn't stop laughing as John grimaced with each mouthful of tikka. I asked John have I won this one? He conceded with a subdued tone “yes derrick, yes you have” after which we both cracked up laughing.

Trip to nairobi Day 1 - Travel

I woke at 4.30am rather easily due to the excitement of my impending trip to Nairobi. With two bags packed, by gemma I must add!, I tentatively said farewell as my father in law, Joe, picked me up to take me to Heathrow. A car accident on the m25 slowed down the journey so luckily we left at 6am! We made it to heathrow in good time however getting through the airport security at terminal 5 nice and quickly. With an hour to spare I bought a magazine and a couple of books one being by John Green who has several highly successful youtube channels. These books never had a chance of being read however due to the entertaining flight I had.




I had checked in to my flight the night before online choosing a seat near the back by the window. My choice in seat turned out to be a stroke of luck as I boarded the plane and set next to chap called Rob. Rob it turns out is from Northolt and his parents are from Kenya. He was travelling to Nairobi to attend a family wedding. After introducing myself and briefly explaining what my plans were I found out he too was an IT consultant for a firm that makes accountancy software. Plenty of laughing and banter ensued making the eight hour flight seem like a quick trip to London.




Our genius choice of seats with extra legroom and stones throw access to the toilets became less genius as we were the last off the plane of course! Rob (family works for the airline i must add) tells me, which wasnt reported in the media, that the arrivals area at Nairobi airport was burnt down by a disgruntled shop owner there who was forced to sell up as a larger company moved in. Luckily no one was hurt by the fire and the new, although temporary, arrivals area was actually a darn site better. Immigration was quick and the bags started flowing as soon as we reached the conveyors. Rob waited with his bag while I patiently waited for my two bags. Hooray I whisper as I see my bags meander round towards me. With bags in tow we gallantly march off to find my driver and good friend John. I had explained to Rob how I came to know John and insisted he meets him after or before we both enjoy a cigarette which Rob and I was yearning for desperately.

"I throw caution to the wind and grab him by the shoulder saying “Guess who John!!” A startled John spins around looking shocked initially then bursting with laughter as a signature John bear hug ensues. We laugh loudly and shake hands as he shows me my name placard. He explains to me he was try"

I walk through the all too familiar, when exiting an airport, sea of name placards with each driver jostling to make the name of their customer visible to the bewildered and somewhat disheveled passengers. My eyes meander through the various placards of David Giles, Rob Thuke etc non bearing the name of yours truly. So we walk through and enjoy a cigarette together while I gaze over at the various drivers my sights are locked onto an all too familiar army jumper that gave rise to me calling John ‘The General’. With relief and excitement I point to John saying to Rob “There he is!” John is facing away of course so I sneak up behind trying to make sure that it really is him or this could be rather embarrassing. I throw caution to the wind and grab him by the shoulder saying “Guess who John!!” A startled John spins around looking shocked initially then bursting with laughter as a signature John bear hug ensues. We laugh loudly and shake hands as he shows me my name placard. He explains to me he was trying to hide from me so he could sneak up on me!! Well it turns out John I beat you to it!! With one point to me he promises he will get me back at some point this week! I introduce him to Rob which then turns into a farewell and an exchange of numbers and email addresses. Rob has a cousin who is involved in art so we hope to stay in touch. I wish him well and tell him not to get too drunk at the wedding which we both laugh off as a ridiculous statement.




I had emailed John saying I would probably have my camera out to video our reuninion so he was disappointed to see no camera as I was carrying two bags. We get to the car and to my joy john insists we re enact it for the sake of the camera and for prosperity. Its pretty dark so we awkwardly high five missing a couple of times which causes fits of laughter. I’m so pleased to see John again and John can’t believe that “Derrick” is really here. He asks after Gemma as we reminisce about our last trip here he says how beautiful and lovely Gemma is and is really sad that she can’t be here also.I explain how I wouldn’t be able to pack and prepare for this trip without her help impeccable memory for what provisions I will need. I also tell John he must replace, temporarily Gemmas role and make sure I don’t forget anything to which we both chuckle. The 40 minute trip to the hotel was full of laughter and catching up over each others respective lives over 12 months.




We eventually find the hotel but unfortunately there is no bar so we head off to have a quick drink/night cap at a local bar before a well earned sleep and rest before we meet again to make our plans for the week. We return back to the hotel and I present John with his T-Shirt’s. He loves them and we take a few silly photos before saying goodnight eagerly looking forward to the adventure ahead of us.

New Slogan!

So I have come up with a new slogan for the business which I feel is less complicated and more to the point. It is...

'Love Art, Love Africa'

Initial response is positive with everyone preferring this one to the old one!

BBC Culture Show: Who Are You Calling an African Artist?

Missed this tonight but for UK viewers it's available on BBC iplayer




Synopsis from BBC iPlayer:


"This summer, Tate Modern has opened its doors to Africa, dedicating an entire wing to two of the most important artists working today: 82-year-old visionary modernist Ibrahim El-Salahi and contemporary free-thinker Meschac Gaba. Writer and curator Morgan Quaintance discovers their extraordinary personal stories, and a struggle for recognition that spans six decades.

Studying at the Slade in the 1950s, Ibrahim El-Salahi returned home with a crate full of modern art, to meet a stony faced public in Sudan. Reconciling the language of modernism with the culture of his heritage, he found a powerful new way to express the dreams and ambitions of African independence. It was to lead to imprisonment, exile and eventually freedom.

Yet El-Salahi, along with Africa's modern art tradition, has been ignored by the museums and institutions of the West, to the shock of Meschac Gaba, arriving in Amsterdam on a scholarship in 1996. His response was to create his own Museum of Contemporary African Art - an idea for a museum that did not yet exist."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b037m49c/

2 Months to go!

With only two months to go im, admittedly, getting rather excited! Today I downloaded the form for a visa. Last time we didn't apply for one in advance and waited ages in the airport so wont make that mistake again! :)

I've started compiling a list of bits and bobs I need to do and what equipment I need to take. I won't have my wife to rely on to remember everything on this journey so I must get organised!

I've been chatting to Leyan lots since my last post. He does graphite drawings of lions and even makes his own frames. I can't wait to meet him and see his work in person. I also hope to meet his grandma who lives a few hours to the north making traditional beaded gourds and beaded ornaments.

This is Leyan!

If you live near Nairobi and know anyone you think I should meet then please get in touch! I'm in Nairobi for 7 or 8 days and need to fit in everything I can. My main objective is just to meet as many people I can explaining what I'm trying to achieve  My vision for safari on canvas is to open up a market for african art to the UK and European markets. By meeting the artists directly I can open up a direct channel for trade in this industry.

New T-Shirts

Picked up the new T-Shirts from pinncacleuk.com These T-Shirts are much better quality! The website address and logo are also on the back this time.

Honeymoon Safari on Video

I'm pleased to post a sample video of my own safari as a taster for our safari on video service. Prices will start from £99 with a choice of different styles and music.

Check it out!!

Twenty Years from now...

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

-H. Jackson Brown Jr

John

After a bit of a stressful time at Nairobi airport we were pleased to meet a guy called John who was our transport to the next airport. John is subsequently getting involved with my project in September as driver, guide and occasional camera man! So here is a little story of our arrival at Nairobi and first meeting of John!

So when we arrived at Nairobi airport it took ages to get through immigration, probably about 2 hours! It was getting quite stressful and then, to our dismay, when we finally got through to luggage collection we could only find one bag! Gemmas bright pink suitcase was no where to be seen! Disaster we thought! after such a good wedding we knew something had to give so karma was restored lol! Another 40 mins of frantically asking different people with no success one guy suggested I look at Conveyor 1 (ours was conveyor 6) I thought to myself "don't be silly why on earth would it be there!!!"

A few minutes passed with no other ideas or news I started walking over to the other side of the airport to check conveyor belt one. I was about 100 yards away when "YES" I know that garishly bright pink case. My walk now turned to an enthusiastic jog soon arriving at what was definitely gemmas suitcase! Well I was beside myself and so obviously  relieved the other tourists around me at conveyor one looked on with knowing sympathy, amusement and shared relief. So I soon bounded off along my way, enthusiastically  high fiving some guy who had been chuckling at my lucky turn of fortune.

Drama over. Next step is to find our driver who had been waiting ages for us our plane had landed 2.5 hours ago so I hoped and worried whether he was still there

We walk out the airport like lost lambs (happy and relieved lambs tho!) looking for our driver. I see my name written on card held by a big friendly chap in jeans and green military top and cap. This must be John! who on making eye contact smiles and welcomes us with a big warm hand shake as we march off out the airport towards his vehicle for our ride to Wilson Airport. We are both so relieved to be out the airport and seeing some real Kenya for the first time! I chat to john retelling him of our near panic. He chuckles with sympathy and I breathe a sigh of relief cheered up by the warm personality and wicked sense of humor of our new friend John.

John explaining 

Ross & John after our last lunch together

We only had an hour with John before we got to Wilson airport for a flight to the Masai Mara. So skipping over the safari i'd like to remember the awesome time we had with John when we came back from safari. John picked us up from wilson ap and as we had a good few hours to spare we all went for lunch. John took us to an all you can eat Brazilian restaurant. We had a couple of beers and started the impending meat feast regularly interrupted by hysterical laughter from the pair of us.

John shared my sense of humour and he soon had tears of laughter while I held my sore cheeks down lol! Unfortunately we eventually had to leave to go to the airport to catch our return flight home. I was sad to leave, luckily though we exchanged email addresses and got in contact when we got home! I emailed John a month or 2 ago to say im returning and asked whether he would like to be my guide/driver for the week. I'm pleased to say he is! We are getting a 4x4 so we can travel anywhere! We hope to travel to rural Narok to meet an artist there that has been in touch!

Look forward to our adventures John, see you soon dude! :)

Kenyan Safari 2012

Kenyan Safari 2012, a set on Flickr.

Safari Photos