At Magdoos under an inspirational work by Duval-Carrié
Night before, the Promart group went to Magdoos, a Middle Eastern restaurant, a much welcome respite from a long day of painting work. The food was delicious and the atmosphere got really jolly, especially after several glasses of excellent wine. Andrea and I were fortunate to sit under a stunning work by Edouard Duval-Carrié. This energised us so much, that we started working earlier than normal the next day.
Yesterday morning, just after breakfast, I met with some colleagues to discuss the possibility of having an art camp in Grenada, in 2016. Many were excited to come to Grenada, and to facilitate workshops in their specialised technique. We began laying out the outline of the camp, and am keeping my fingers crossed, it will all work out. It has to.
Discussing a 2016 art camp in Grenada
Since 1983, Grenada celebrates, or at least marks Thanksgiving every 25 October, with parades and speeches, and not as a family-oriented event to give thanks for freedom, for family, friends and other positives we take for granted. Last night, in celebration of the US November Thanksgiving, the Promart group dined with the Cauvin family—turkey dinner with the works. Fabulous! Then the braver, and decidedly more energetic of us, went off to a nightclub to party the night away. From the comfort of my bed, I heard them come back after 2am, still invigorated from the experience.
I have much to give thanks for: This opportunity to be in Haiti, to be part of the Promart community; to interact with Haitian colleagues and watch them work; to bounce ideas off my colleagues who come from almost the rest of the world; to be able to create and work in an environment of like-minded people. I am also thankful that Andrea took up my invitation to come to Haiti for this experience. From what we’ve learned and observed here, between us both, we may yet impact positively on the way the making of art is thought about, and created at home.
One of my artworks based on my four day experience of activity in downtown Petion Ville: