Dior, Gucci and Puccini

Ok, so I’m not a good “South African” – I hate rugby, I hate everything about it. I know, I know, one shouldn’t hate. But I hate the whole rugby culture, the ridiculous dressing up of fans, their juvenile behavior, the boozing, and yes the silly “cheer leaders”.

I do not care if other people like sports, but lets be honest, in our society its an obsession, even from primary school level. I do understand the psychology though, “sports” replaced “war”. But in every society that flourished in history, culture was very strong. Whenever they started neglecting the arts, the society neared extinction.

As a teenager, I listened to Pink Floyd, Queen, Vivaldi, Tsaikofski and Bach. I studied Fashion Design and am now Gallery owner and full-time artist, yet after 45 years I am still treated as odd because I love going to art museums, a good ballet, a beautiful opera or symphony. The idea of putting on a special outfit, a pair of gorgeous high heels, my favourite perfume and then enjoy a special evening with well-mannered people sounds enticing to me.

When as a young bride aged 23, my husband’s cousin met me for the first time, he described me to his parents as “ a rich, stuck-up lady” . At that stage I was definitely not impressed when hearing it , for I desperately wanted to fit in on the farm. Lately, I have been thinking about it more often, and its growing on me.

As I grow older and more and more grow into the person I really am, instead of what others expect me to be, I hope that one day he would say: “ she’s a rich, cultured lady, with an air of sophistication about her”, oh and if he still thinks I’m “stuck-up” that’s ok too.

Afrikaner self-confidence

I recently heard actress Blake Lively say in an interview that she is an “excellent baker” That immediately hit a nerve, for the way we were brought up, you would never actually say you are good at anything. The Afikaner would say “I love baking”, or “ in my spare time I bake”, but saying that you are excellent in anything is just a “no no”.

And so we grow up, not believing you can do anything. Your parents will compliment you, your school will give you prizes, but self-confidence still lacks.

With my career as an artist it is no different. I can do well in competitions, have  numerous exhibitions in USA, UK, Italy, France, China and India – great remarks and articles by critics – BUT when someone (normally  without art knowledge, I might add) walks into my gallery and criticizes my work, I cringe. My self-confidence gets a huge blow and I feel as if I cannot paint to save my life and have no knowledge on my subject.

I recently had the privilege to exhibit at the SIEL de Paris in Paris. It was the most wonderful experience and I learned so much. Watching other artists interacting with patrons, easily talking about their work, confidence beaming out of them !

Afrikaner children are brought up to be humble – at all cost, it seems to me, but isn’t our idea of being “humble” distorted ?

If I were given a talent by God,  then work hard at developing my talent, praising God daily for my talent and knowing that through the Grace of God using this talent,  is my destiny, am I not humble?

Are we really humble when we think we are incapable or are we actually just using it as a scapegoat, better than admitting you are too lazy to use your talents. Aren’t we then being extremely arrogant? Basically saying to God “ Ok Lord, You gave me talents, but they’re actually no good – as a matter of fact, not what I wanted at all. “

I think it’s time for this Afrikaner to change her attitude.

“Praise God, I’m an excellent artist!!!”