Now I know what it feels like to have not one but two pieces of art go missing while supposedly on their way to their new home in Germany. Yup that’s it. Couriers lost my painting and my drawing. Well they were both in the same package of course but they’re gone. I am not going to name and shame the two companies responsible for this rather tragic state of affairs right now as we are still going through the process of waiting to see if they will pay out the insurance – or not. I kid you not. They may or may not pay and the process will take at least 2 months to resolve. So just in case you’re not in enough shock and pain already, let’s see if we make it even more awful for you and basically suggest that it’s not worth pursuing and just suck it up.

I can’t even begin to describe what a rollercoaster ride of emotions this little experience has been, not only for me but for my dear clients (who had seen their painting and drawing and loved them both and were so looking forward to receiving their art) and don’t forget Sabine and my folks who were alongside for the creation as always. Sab was very much involved and literally watch every part of that buffalo painting happen so for her it was a massive blow – especially because she rather fancied it for herself. For sure there are many awful or uncomfortable things going on in our lives at the moment with the big C still running circles around us so I have got my ‘perspective-pants’ on big time but it doesn’t take away from the total frustration of the situation.

Stuff goes missing all the time as the world of logistics is increasingly under pressure. I get it but when it’s an original piece of art (or two) that took weeks to create and can never be made the same again it’s not quite the same as losing the latest gadget you bought online or handbag or a bottle of perfume or… whatever it was that was most likely mass-produced and you can get another one just like it. When it comes to original art it’s another story. It HURTS! Sure I have archival images and I could make a print or 2 but that’s not the same or the point. And these were not small pieces either – they’re both sizeable chunks of wall-space.

Without getting overly dramatic, I think about them every day. Like where are they???!!! Languishing in some damp warehouse somewhere between here and Wildeshausen? We know they got as far as Annecy but after that… poof disappeared like a puff of smoke. I just find it utterly astonishing…

So what do I take away from this experience?

1. Well to start with, take the business or transporting art VERY SERIOUSLY and understand it could be costly but not as costly as losing the art. Find the right company! If any of you have experience with this then please let me know.

2. Toughen up cream-puff. No point in letting this get you down. You still have to make the art again so better be doing that from a good space in your heart and soul than the alternative. Enough pain already so we have to leave that behind.

3. Make it an opportunity to learn and do even better work. Sometimes you get a bad for a good. In other words you might have a ‘bad’ thing happen and it is fact leading to a ‘good’ thing which you just can’t see right now because it’s still coming. We also like to say that everything will be alright in the end and if it’s not alright, it’s not the end (from the movie, Best Marigold Hotel).

4. Hmmm – I can’t think of a fourth reason right now so let’s just leave it there. 

As I said to my lovely clients, you never know – the art might turn up in 30 years in some auction in New York or London when I am old and half blind and mega famous – and then they’ll be worth a fortune and you’ll become gazillionaires overnight…

Ha! If only…

Onwards and catch up again soon…

The post The Sad Story of My Lost Art appeared first on Georgina Tolmay.

I can’t say exactly why or how except that it’s just this thing inside me. It’s this special thing that has just been brewing away all these years and it’s ready to let itself go now.

But one thing I can say is that observation is key to it all. I have been dragging around the world a collection of pieces I have made over the years and while a good chunk of that work has been given away, I hang on to some of it with a white-knuckle-death-grip. Looking back on things like these butterfly studies it was all about observation. Paint what you see not what you think you know.

I loved collecting butterflies with a passion and I loved painting them with just as much passion and fascination. I wanted to make the most faithful copy of the species I collected. Was deeply inspired by Pennington’s Butterflies of Southern Africa. Mum and Dad gave Riley and I this book one Christmas when we lived in Bulawayo. Such a treasure which I still have with me and I have taken to pouring over it again during our COVID confinement. It’s a hefty tome – rich in science, insights and… observations.

I think observation is key for our life in general. Look hard, see well. See what is not obvious and use these observations to better serve everything that you do in your life. Even the smallest creatures who live fleetingly short lives can offer us something so rich and meaningful if we take the time to look.

Thanks for you time and your ‘observations’ and don’t forget to subscribe if you want a little notification in your inbox when I post updates.

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Ha! Famous last words. Here I am sitting in front of a blank white page wondering exactly what to say since that visit to SEWE in February with my parents.

The COVID sideswipe. Talk about flipping our world on its head. I do wonder every day just where this all goes – however that said – I am not brooding over this new state of affairs we find ourselves facing – instead have put the time of confinement and change to very good use.

I decided to take my foot off the gas for the first time in years and years and made the time to just be still. 30 years on the mouse in front of a screen running your own design business is a long haul. So then how wonderful to just be in a quieter place and think about my art and my design career and how these can live side by side and go forward into the future. I took the time to enjoy having nothing special to do. My other half and I loved having the time together to cocoon and nest. It was truly food for the soul.

Then as I felt better rested and peaceful, I started to immerse myself in studying the art world. Now there’s an interesting learning curve! Have come across some truly wonderful people who I look forward to introducing you to. It’s going to be fascinating to watch where it all goes given this new paradigm we’re entering into.

I did some drawings – Mrs Malukimba has already sold and the Dhow Master is still available. I have studied several painting techniques to compliment my own and can’t wait to show you what will come out of that. I started some paintings. The Dressmaker is done and for sale.

I started thinking about how I wanted my web site to look and function. Got into action and here we are – my new web site – all sparkly-shiny-new – ready to rock and roll. Hope you can make the time have a good look around – a little something for everyone. If you fancy looking at how I approach my work then there are some videos here.

Feedback is important and I welcome it so don’t hesitate to leave a comment or contact me and let me know your thoughts.

I think we’ll leave it there for now. As always, thanks for giving me your time. Enjoy your stay with me and don’t forget to subscribe if you want a little notification in your inbox when I post updates.

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I went to learn, gather information and measure my work in the context of my fellow artists and what better place than the great collaborative atmosphere of the SEWE show and the charm of Charleston, South Carolina. The ground hornbill has already found a new home; snapped up before the show. The Cape Buffalo with the Ox Pecker and the Lioness are just now being framed so if any of you are interested in purchasing these originals please contact me directly. No prints of these first paintings will be made.

The Cape Buffalo with the Ox Pecker is titled ‘Have You Found it Yet?’ Acrylic on canvas paper and framed. Size of work is: 28 x 22 inches.

The Lioness is titled ‘That’s Close Enough’. Acrylic on paper and framed. Size is: 16 x 12 inches.

I go home to France tomorrow to now start painting in earnest.

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