Ghana

I used my watercolors to capture some quick impressions of Ghana on bookmarks I had prepared ahead and brought with me for the purpose. These were all done in about 40 minutes, first drawing with an India ink pen and then color added with my watercolor brush pen. My interest in the trees is apparent, but I hope to do more sketches of the wonderfully colorful women carrying fruit and other goods on their heads and babies on their backs.

Arriving in Ghana, we docked in Takoradi, a bustling and important deepwater seaport city. Together with its sister city Sekondi it is the capital of western Ghana. The discovery of oil in the area has lead to a massive migration of people from all over the world. There is much poverty, and living conditions are quite different from what we are used to in the US, however the people seemed active and engaged in their daily activities with markets for fresh food and goods on every corner.

The sea is an integral part of life here, and we passed an active fish market with fish drying at the edges of the road. The beaches are beautiful, and there is a growing tourist industry.

The saddest part of human history is man's inhumanity to his fellow man. Among these is the exploitation of the Africa races. On the coast near Takoradi is Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Swedes in 1652, later occupied by the British. Slaves were held here, sometimes for months in unspeakable condition while awaiting transport to new worlds in need of cheap manpower to support growing economies. Below is the doorway of no Return, where slaves held in dungeons for months would catch a view of the sea before being herded in the holds of waiting ships.

The slave trade was a multinational business. Not only did the Swedes build the castle, which was occupied by the Portuguese and the British, but the slaves were prisoners of war from the tribal wars in Africa, were supplied by fellow Africans and Arabs, and shipped in French, British, Dutch and Portuguese ships to work in their colonies in the new world.

 

It was encouraging to see the bustling waterfront today, with the selling of fish and the mending of nets, children playing soccer, and families enjoying a swim in the sea in an area that had once held such heartbreak.

 

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Namibia

Two days at sea brings us to Namibia, a vast desert nation with a population of only 1.9 million. We dock in Walvis Bay, passing working ships from many nations. Flocks of flamingos and pelicans feed in the Bay's nutrient-rich lagoon.

Namibia is also home to the Wel-witschia plant, one of the longest living plants on earth. The Wel-witschia can live up to 1000 years and survive without any rain for years.

Last night we drove miles into the desert for dinner, and were treated to African song and dance under the stars. Some guests walked up the highest dune to view of the undulating sand, (as depicted in the travel brochure) but I preferred the entertainment amid candle glow under a canopy of stars.

Dinner followed in draped tents. It was lovely, but the food reflected the need to please universal tastes. Wouldn't it have been delightful to have experienced the authenticity and variety of delicious African food?

 

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Shells, lots of them, and ArtWalk

Shells, 2012, Jo-Ann Sanborn

watercolor on post card block, 4"x6" $10 each

 

We sell sea shells!  

Artist Colony at the Esplanade

ArtWalk, Wednesday, August 29th,  to 8 pm. 

 

Sea Shell postcards

 

 

Sea Shell note cards

 

 

And your treat?  Sea Shell candy.  Yep, Chocolate. 

 

 

Sounds like a party, right?  

Falling Leaves

Here are a couple of mixed media illustrations from another children's story just completed and delivered. This one is about the end of summer, where the woodland friends are eating ripe berries of the blackberry patch and later, asleep in the falling leaves. It's a cute story and a challenge to illustrate since the subject matter is so far from my usual. The client has some very definite ideas about what each illustration should contain. My next assignment is about bees, so I'm sketching bees and meadow flowers! I draw and sketch until the characters come clear and I'm comfortable with each of them before I begin the final paintings. Bringing me back to drawing is one of the best benefits of this assignment, but working with watercolors gives me a new appreciation for those who do it well!

Children's Story Illustration Change from Everglades!

I've just delivered the first six illustrations for a children's story called "The Berry Good Berry and Nut Company" Let me introduce you to Sammy Squirrel and his helper Midget Mouse. Midget is throwing her worries to the wind at Wayward Willies, and the friends are relaxing at Sally's Swill. Yes, Sally's Swill - no comments, please! After a lot of sketching (how does a squirrel's shoulder look when he's moving, where is a mouse tail actually attached?) I used mixed media, including watercolor, watercolor pencils, and India ink pens and brushes. Faber Castell artist pens with brush tips were new to me and a pleasure to use. Quite a change from my usual Everglades. I'm sure it will help me to grow as an artist. How far out of your comfort zone in life are you willing to go to grow?