Monday, October 26, 2009

Bushman of the Kalahari

I have mislaid a week of my life!

Not really, but that's what it feels like. I was sitting at the SASA Annual Exhibition at Kirstenbosch last week until Thursday, then Friday first thing, it was on the 'plane to Johannesburg for a friend's daughter's wedding. Only got back last night, so have done nothing with a brush for over a week!

This painting is of a Bushman, one of those incredible hunter gatherer people who are the original inhabitants of this country. They owned no land (they believe only God owns the land) and lived off it in much the same way the Aboriginal people of Australia and the Red Indians in America did.

Their ability to live in desert conditions is amazing and in this painting he is using his bow and arrow as a musical instrument.


The Bushmen, often referred to as the San or the generic term Khoisan, are the remnants of Africa's oldest cultural group, genetically the closest surviving people to the original Homo-Sapien core from which the Negro emerged. They are small in stature generally with light yellowish skin, which wrinkles very early in life. Despite the later massive expansion of the pastoral and agrarian tribal cultures, those Bushman groups that utilised environments that were unsuitable for farming, survived until fairly recently with a high level of genetic purity.

33 comments:

SharonWrightArtist said...

He's rather splendid! I especially like the viewpoint, gives him great stature.

FitFoodieMegha said...

Wowww, What a conicidence! Recently I saw a movie - "Gods must be Crazy", the most hilarious movie I ever saw. It was based on the very simple life of bushman. From that day, I thought what a peaceful life they are living. Thank you for presenting such a beautiful work. You have used the light medium in a very powerful manner...Great work Liz! :)

Ramesh Jhawar said...

Beautifully painted, Liz! As Sharon said, I like the viewpoint and the colors!

Autumn Leaves said...

This is a gorgeous painting, Liz. What an homage to the Bushman peoples!

Marie Theron said...

An excellent painting, Liz! Very true to life!

Anonymous said...

Thank you Liz, I love this painting and the history and information about his people is fascinating. Looking up to him gives him so much presence and stature. I would like to paint something similar one day.

Unknown said...

I think this is one of our best figurals yet Liz! How big is this? I'm glad you're busy so you won't be getting yourself into any trouble soon. ;o)

Art with Liz said...

Thanks Sharon - he was great to paint.


Hi Megha. Wow! The Gods Must be Crazy hey! I saw that many years ago and loved the movie. Whenever I saw a Coke bottle after that, I always thought of his travels to the end of the world.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Ramesh!


Hello Autumn Leaves - with your SA connection you would know of these wonderful people. And as always, thank you for your wonderful comment.

Art with Liz said...

Hi Marie, thank you so much.


We are so lucky here Carolann having the diversity of people and animals to paint - I'm glad you now know a little more of Southern Africa's indigenous people.

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Sheila, it's quite big but not huge 15x30". I thought the canvas size was right for this angle even though I didn't get his entire bow in. As for trouble - I try but it runs faster than me now!!!

Anonymous said...

You captured the characteristics of the Bushman so well. As a journalist,my husband spent a week living with them many years ago. He got to see how they hunt, find water etc. Evenings were spent drinking their homemade brew and dancing around the camp fire. They gave him one of their bow and arrow sets which he still has.
Jean

Fernando Pena said...

Excellent painting Liz

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Lize, Just beautiful. Bravo!

Cathy Gatland said...

Wonderful strong values and colours that fit the subject so well. The figure has a rhythmic quality - can just imagine the sound coming from that bow and arrow.

Greener Bangalore said...

Great Post Liz....reminds me of Gods must be crazy.....

Unknown said...

Great painting Liz, the lighting as fantastic

Art with Liz said...

Wow Jean, how fantastic for your husband to have got to know these people. But does he speak with all those clicks? Glad to see you back and blogging/painting.


Hello Fernando. Thank you for visiting and for the kind words. I looked at your blog and what a wonderful gift you have with watercolours.

Art with Liz said...

Aah coming from you Carol, I so appreciate that. Thank you.


Thank you so very much Cathy - you have a way with words as well as with a paintbrush!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Greener Bangalore - I see you also saw 'The Gods Must be Crazy' ! Glad it reminds you of it - maybe a coke bottle should have been in his hand instead of a bow and arrow!! Bangalore looks like a great place to live (and my favourite Indian cricket team comes from your part of the world!)


Hi there Sam, thank you. That desert light is so sharp I'm glad you think I got it!

Marian Fortunati said...

Liz!!!

This painting is just stunning!!

You may not have picked up a brush in a week but your mind and your muscles must have been building up in anticipation....

The whole way you have layed it out and executed it makes it amazing.. WOW....

Becky said...

The bushman is beautifully done, it captures all that he is!

Suzanne McDermott said...

Love the figure and the composition!

Art with Liz said...

Hey there Marian, thank you so much - again you made me smile!


Thank you Becky. The original inhabitants have a majesty all of their own.


Hello Suzanne. Thank you for visiting and for the great comment. So glad you're back painting again.

Barbara Pask said...

You have a winner here, you should enter this in a competition. Love the colors and the impressionistic way you painted him.

Unknown said...

Liz, I am always amazed at your range of talent when I visit your blog, my dear friend. Thank you for all your kindness. It is as never ending as your beautiful artistic vision.
xoxoxox

Mike Barr said...

Great brushstrokes Liz!
cheers
Mike

Dianne said...

Beautifully painted, Liz! You have a real nack with figures.

Fábio Cembranelli said...

What a beautiful composition. Love the colors here, a powerful, strong work.

Art with Liz said...

Hi Barbara, thank you so much - unfortunately I couldn't submit this one as I did it in class.


Gosh Nancy, that is so nice of you - I think you are one of most talented and nicest people I've met on the blog!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so very very much for the visit and the comment Mike.


Hello Di, so great to have you back and painting again - thank you!

Art with Liz said...

Wonderful talented Fabio - thank you so much!

Greener Bangalore said...

Lovely info and an amazing drawing of Bushman....I loves to know more about different culture and traditions particularly about Africa....thanks for sharing Liz