The 'Oooh Ah' Factor

So much energy, thought and passion goes into each painting. It gets stared at, poked, prodded even dream't about until all the pieces fall into place. This means having to pass the “ooh ah” test. This is done very scientifically, the "art critic" - commonly known as my wife, is brought into the studio blindfolded, not really but the effect is the same. She averts her eyes and walks over to the designated spot in the studio where the best first impact will be made. Before she can bring herself to look she does a crazy thing, something I’m yet to understand, she gets beside herself with anxiety, whether this is because she knows our income relies on each painting being ‘genius’ or the fact that she knows she is incapable of faking the “ooh ah” that is needed to liberate the painting from the studio and onto the gallery wall.

This is probably a little foolish as; not only is my wife a great art critic, but I am a firm believer in giving my best at everything I do. Sometimes, this is very frustrating as it means that even paintings that are working well (but not perfectly) get painted over or reworked as many times as necessary to make it through the “ooh ah” test. This being done; the paintings are hung in our gallery on the banks of Wilderness lagoon in the Garden Route and if my wife has done her job well enough; the painting sells too quickly.

Yes, the contradiction is intentional, although the money is always nice; I do miss them and would like more people to see them before they are sold, which is why I have decided to create a book as a retrospective – an opportunity to revisit some of my old favourites, paintings that are now living in other parts of the world. The book provides me with an opportunity to allow others to experience my creations. I have chosen from a list of many hundreds, the ones that I would most like to see live again... I'm looking forward to sharing them with you.

If you would like to know more about the book or our print collection, please send an email to: info@fine-art.co.za

Kijana

The sun beats down relentlessly on the parched, dry earth of the African savanna. The lone Masai herder guides his small herd of cattle in the direction of the riverbed. The mournful calling of these skeletal beasts a stark reminder that they are experiencing the worst drought in Kenya for the past twenty years.

In many parts of Africa, a man’s worth is measured by the number of cattle he owns. His respect in the community grows with the birth of every calf and the bond between man and beast is almost tangible. Young boys grow up herding the community’s cattle. It is a time of discovery both without and within... They spend many hours out on the African plains, savouring the solitude and warmth of the African sun. They learn to sense danger, they learn to spot signs of a predator lurking in the bush, they learn to find water and the sweetest grazing lands; but most of all, they learn patience and wisdom. Time spent in solitude dreaming of the future, their hopes and aspirations, not to mention - the young girl in the village who smiles demurely as he passes by...

Kijana (means 'Young man' - Swahili)

PRINTS ON CANVAS NOW AVAILABLE. Contact info@fine-art.co.za
to order.

Peter Pharoah Prints now available in Hout Bay, Cape Town

Africa Kirikara in Hout Bay, Cape Town now stock a selection of Peter's limited edition giclee prints. The store specialises in handmade arts, crafts and collectibles, carrying an eclectic array of carefully selected artworks, sourced from all corners of Africa. Besides Peter's limited edition prints, you'll find a selection of African jewellery, hand woven rugs & carpets, textiles, ceramics, pottery, baskets, furniture, books & music - and much, much more.

Visit their shop at the Old Post Office, Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town South Africa or contact them on Tel: + 27 21 7908358.
Open 7 days a week
Monday - Friday 09h00 - 17h00
Saturday - Sunday 10h00 - 15h00

HOT OFF THE PRESS...

Off to the Movies

One of Peter's abstract artworks (Cocktail) will make a 'guest appearance' in a movie currently in production in the USA. The film is an adaptation of Gigi Levangie Grazer's NEW YORK TIMES #1 Best-Selling Book to be Directed by TIMOTHY BUSFIELD from a Teleplay by SUZANNE MARTIN and Produced by SONY PICTURES TELEVISION and is about a glamorous Hollywood social climber who finally meets her match in Maneater. The four-hour Lifetime Original miniseries starring Sarah Chalke (Scrubs) is set to premiere in 2009.

Read More about the Maneater movie

NEW WORKS AT THE ART GALLERY

In other news, Peter has just completed a new series of artworks featuring contemporary African subjects, the pieces are now on display at the Art Gallery in Wilderness. See you soon.

Operation Desert storm

After weeks of pouring over the atlas in search of a suitable destination for his first African 'Airscapade'... Peter finally settled on the Big Sky country of the Kalahari on the northern border between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.. View the Online Album : http://picasaweb.google.com/pharoah.art/KalahariOperationDesertStorm#

Happy Holidays!

Chacma baboons are great fun to watch and I have long been fascinated by their antics in my travels around the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. It is impossible to observe baboons and not project human emotions and behaviours on them; they are fascinating to watch precisely because their actions seem so humanlike. I remember an incident a few years ago... We stopped briefly at Sir Lowry’s Pass outside Cape Town and encountered a mother baboon nursing her dead baby. It was one of the most heart rending sights I have seen and still haunts me today. Watching them reveals their distinctive personalities, like this youngster who is quite obviously having a great time at her mother’s expense. The mother looks exhausted but doesn't seem to think its worth complaining about...
Sadly, though, these intelligent and social creatures are becoming regarded as pests more and more. Traditionally, a Chacma baboon will not approach humans or show much interest in them, but this has changed as many tourists feed them and as a result they associate tasty treats with humans.

So next time you’re traveling in the area, please take note of the signs warning visitors not to feed the baboons as these amazing creatures are paying the ultimate price and look destined to become yet another African wildlife statistic.

http://www.baboonmatters.org.za/

IT'S NOT JUST A BICYCLE...

One of the things that struck me on my first visit to Tanzania, was the importance of the humble bicycle in every day African life...

A bicycle can change a life in a poor country... It not only offers a sense of freedom (not to mention ‘status’) to rural villagers but is also a means of providing access to work, education and even healthcare.

Taking a trip around the small island of Zanzibar, I saw how much the inhabitants rely on bicycles for getting firewood, the day's catch, a basket of coconuts or even a friend; home… Owning a bicycle can have a substantial impact on the lives of Africa's rural poor. This artwork is a tribute to the 'baiskeli' that has brought about such significant changes in the lives of many African people.

* Note: 'baiskeli' is the Swahili word for 'bicycle'.

2009 Peter Pharoah Print Collection

New Prints Added to our Collection
Be the first to own one of the new prints added to Peter Pharoah's 2009 Print Collection. Our Giclee Prints are produced to the highest standard on Hahnemuhle Fine Art canvas using archival inks. 100 Limited Edition prints of each. International Postage or Door to Door delivery available. Credit card payments accepted.

Please email us if you would like a copy of our print catalogue. ART PRINTS ENQUIRY

Symphony of Flight

The Inspiration of Birds

Peter’s passion for flying and hang gliding has fostered a lifelong enchantment with birds of all types; these beautiful winged creatures provide an infinite source of inspiration…

“Birds inspire us with their graceful beauty, their passionate songs of love and joy, their incredible ability in the skies – every bird has a unique allure - For some, it’s their breathtaking beauty, their colourful plumage, for others it’s their flight, their song, their intricate love rituals and courtship displays.”

“Birds speak to us in many ways and with many voices providing spiritual inspiration as well as a sense of peace and tranquility while their speed and agility serves to inspire us to new heights. I wanted to capture this rapturous symphony and exceptional grace through my interpretation of their amazing symphony of flight.”

Copyright : Peter Pharoah - August 2008

African Plains

“As I watched the herd grazing, I observed their fascinating markings that appear to have been painted onto their bodies, their legs disappearing in the mirage forged by the intensity of the bushveld sun. Occasionally, one of them turns a black and white face lazily in my direction, as if to acknowledge me briefly then continues grazing without trepidation or fear. The serenity of the moment is captured in the stark stillness of the blistering heat. It is moments such as these that draw me back into the heart of Africa year after year.”

The zebra is one of the most distinct of all African symbols and Peter has always been very cautious about painting the more common or 'typical' African themes. In many cases, paintings of these subjects can appear contrived and almost 'clichéd', so he approaches the subject with the intention of creating an artwork that would fill the imagination with the richness of Africa in all its forms. Beginning with a burnt sienna background, he sketched the animals’ coats creating amazing designs which, while almost abstract, were still obviously identifiable as a herd of zebra. Drawing with raw simplicity his initial sketch made it unnecessary to show the entire animal - just a couple of stripes, here and there, hinting at the herd grazing peacefully in the bushveld plains. Once again, his bold use of colour defines the subject and helps to emphasise the heat and dust of Africa - The simplicity of the design, together with the rich colours and interesting textures all coalesce in his unique interpretation of one of the most intrinsic images of Africa.
Peter works from reference gathered on regular trips around Africa. The image which inspired this artwork came from reference collected at Mkhuzi Game Reserve in Northern Kwazulu Natal in April 2005.
© PETER PHAROAH