Our recent member challenge required our members to attempt a drawing with anout-of-focus background and we received such lovely submissions!
Though it was a difficult decision, Rekha walked away with the bragging rights and the prize! I chatted to her about her art, job and some recent challenges she’s had to overcome.
“I am a part time artist, originally a Durbanite, I lived in Johannesburg for approximately 10 years, returned to Durban for a year and relocated to Port Elizabeth in January 2022.”
Rekha is a chemical engineer with business management as her post graduate and works full time at Sasol, managing the assurance function on major investments.
“I have always loved art and am a strong believer in continuous learning. Upon completion of my undergraduate studies, my free time after work allowed for my passion for art to resurface. I began taking art lessons more than 15 years ago and broadened my art knowledge by pouring over lots of art books (being a bibliophile made things worse by wanting to purchase nearly every art technique book I could get my hands on!!) and practicing. In 2018 I completed an art diploma from London Art College as it offered me an opportunity to pursue some formal training on a part time basis that could fit in with my work and family commitments.
Art was initially a leisurely activity that served as creative outlet, one that allowed for me to have a balance between the creative, artistic side and the analytical, business side of my daily vocation. In recent years, art no longer is something I do when I have spare time, it has become something I have to do, it has become a need that is only met when I put paint to paper or canvas. I have to make time for art as it is no longer a choice but a must, the calling has become significantly stronger in the last few years.”
Her first art lessons focused on mainly drawing and oil painting. But when her kids were born she moved away from oils and dabbled in other media that were odourless and allowed for quicker completion.
“I explored other media like oil pastels, soft pastels, pen and ink and watercolor. I then spent a considerable period of time learning more about watercolor and worked almost solely in watercolor for more than 5 years. Last year, following a somewhat extended period of creative block, I decided to try another media – namely pastels. I have not looked back since, I still work in watercolor but now split my time almost equally between both media.
I try to maximise every free moment with either making art, learning about art, reading about art, being inspired by other artists or just thinking about art. I carve out time for my art on weekday afternoons over shorter periods (1 – 2 hour periods if I am lucky) and work for longer stretches over weekends (4- 5 hours per day) or when I am on leave. I have a dedicated studio space in our new home which greatly helps as I do not need to set up my work space each time and I can work on smaller bits as time allows. Being a mom to two busy kids (a 15 year old and 12 year old), it helps being an early riser . I do the bulk of my art making on weekend mornings before the requests for pancakes and other not-so-quick breakfast items come up.
My current day job focuses a lot on business, investment and financial decisions, resulting in me being very structured and methodical in my approach. This trait lends itself to my art enabling me to plan ahead to make the most of the time I have for painting. Being a natural starter and finisher, I thrive on the satisfaction and feeling of fulfilment of starting off with a blank canvas and ending with a completed painting.
I enjoy painting florals, landscape or still life scenes. I strive to create pleasing compositions that exude happiness and joy. I love color and light therefore allow for the bold yet realistic use of color to capture the excitement and vibrancy of the moment I am depicting.”
Rekha admits that she is completely enamoured with the vibrancy and immediacy of pastel as this medium lends itself to the bold use of colour she intends.
“I feel that pastels allows for the transfer of almost pure pigment on paper with just my hands. Pastels (and most dry media I would imagine) allow for frequent interruptions so if I am unable to get a longer painting period, it allows me to still work even a bit at a time. It can be manipulated with greater speed and ease and allows me to transfer the energy I experience into my work. I revel in the process of creating art, the mark making, the blending – it puts one on a natural high.”
Rekha uses a combination of soft and medium to hard pastel sticks as well as pastel pencils for finer detail when needed. Her favourite brands are Faber Castell, Rembrandt and Unison pastels.
“I have recently discovered Clairefonteine PastelMat after experimenting with other types of pastel paper on the market. I find the PastelMat paper perfectly suits my needs and style. I intend on experimenting with velour paper to see how I fare with that. I started working on small sheets (30 X 40cm) but as my confidence is building, I am attempting larger artworks. For smaller works, I work flat and for the larger pieces, work on an easel.
I use some blending tools like Softt tools and shapers, but my primary blending tools are my fingers. Everyone knows when I am working in pastels as I almost always end up with pastel on my face after forgetting my fingers are messed, often unbeknown to me!”
Rekha’s inner engineer definitely surfaces as I ask her about her process and what inspires her to create.
“The law of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; rather, it transforms from one form to another. My paintings aim to transform the physical and creative energy I use and feel when making an artwork, to the energy that my viewer must feel when viewing my work, to feel the energy of each color mix, each brushstroke, each mark made and the joy of it all coming together. I aim to lift ones’ emotions and for them to experience elation, serenity and peace through my art. It is my goal to create and share my art on a dedicated basis with everything I have got in me. I have this burning desire to reach my goal, one that cannot be extinguished.
I am greatly inspired by the beauty and color of nature, by God’s artwork. I work mainly from photo references, either my own or those I am given permission to use.
Other artists and their work inspires me, I find the Drawing Guild and other art communities I am part of inspiring and enjoy engaging with likeminded individuals who experience the same challenges (like unending thirst for art materials!), doubts and joy as me. As a part time artist and newcomer to this medium, you often experience doubt on whether your art is any good, whether you are on the right track, and the list goes on, but engaging with fellow artists makes you realise you are not alone. I value the encouragement we are able to provide to each other in the art community.
I generally have a collection of references I wish to paint, more recently I am trying to get more organised and order my reference images in themes as well as the medium I plan to use for my artwork so that I can plan for a few artworks in advance.
My husband often teases me that I have a mini production line going! I will get my surfaces ready by taping it to board I will be working on, often more than one at a time. I sometimes print my reference image or use it off my mobile device, do a small rough sketch first to get familiar with drawing the image, I then do drawing in the size that I want my pastel work to be onto a sheet of cartridge paper. I then cover the back of this drawing with a pastel color or colors closest to the dominant colors in the piece to create a pastel transfer paper. I then transfer the image onto my Pastel paper by going over my drawing lightly with a pen or burnishing tool, making sure not to indent my Pastel paper. I try to do the drawing or preparation for 2 or 3 works at a time so that I can then get into pastelling.
I start my pastelling by putting a light layer using my hardest pastels first (Faber Castell), and blend in as I go along, working top right to bottom left (as I am left handed so prevents me from smudging my work). I then build up the next layer of color using my semi hard to soft pastels (Rembrandt) and carry on working on the art piece until I am happy with it. This process is almost like the watercolor or oil painting glazing equivalent in pastels. I will then use my softest pastels (Unison pastels) to get my final layer on and then my Faber Castell Pitt Pastel pencils for any detail I want to capture.
I take photos of my work using my mobile device and will then change it to monochromatic to check whether I have the values correct or anything else that needs work. I leave my work for a day or two, before I finally check and make slight changes if needed prior to signing with a pastel pencil. I then cover my work with either Glassine or the Clairefonteine Crystal sheets and place flat into planning cabinet until I am ready to frame my work. I do not use fixatives as I prefer to retain the brightness of the colors.
During blending, I clean my hands using wet wipes between different color groups to keep my colors clean. I also keep the pastels I am using for a particular piece in a recycling metal tin (Woolies shortbread tins are my go to), covered with a layer or two of paper towel. The use of paper towel is twofold, keeps the tin clean and also allows me to clean my pastels as I am working. On completion on work, I return my pastels to their original storage boxes they came in.”
To Rekha the most important part of the process is to have fun!
“I have fun, loads of it, if I am not feeling a painting, I will put it aside and come back to it or stop it completely. I believe it is evident to the viewer when the artist has enjoyed the process of creating the artwork and want to convey the joy and peacefulness I felt when creating my work to my viewers. I could choose to do different things with my time, and if I am going to dedicate time to something, it must be something I love and enjoy. Love what you do, do what you love – my simple mantra in life.”
Dealing with creative block or feeling like artworks are just not working out is a normal process every artist goes through from time to time and Rekha admits that she has been challenged by this.
“I have definitely experienced creative block. Last year we had to do an unplanned cross country move due to work transfer. We sold our home in Johannesburg, which contained my dream studio (as we built and designed our house and studio), packing our home into storage until we found a permanent home. The KZN civilian riots on 11 July 2021 impacted us terribly as our storage unit that contained my entire studio, all my paintings and artwork that I created over 15 years, most of my art materials, amongst furniture, appliances and everything else sentimental to us, was senselessly destroyed and burnt to ashes. I love books, especially art books and art magazines and my collection of more than 1000 books and 500 art magazines that I have been collecting since earning my first salary, was destroyed.
It was heart-wrenching and one of my lowest lows as I struggled to make sense of the actions of that time and the momentary loss of hope in our country. In the rush of the unexpected move, we omitted to include the details of our storage unit in our household insurance, hence was not compensated for our losses.
I had kept some basic art supplies at our rental, one of which was my starter set of Rembrandt soft pastels and my revered set of Faber Castell pastels and pencils that I obtained nearly 10 years ago. I always said I would use my pastels when I was experienced an artist enough. Up to that point, I would only open my Faber Castells to enjoy looking at it, feeling I was not yet ready to use it.
Around the same time, I saw the book The Artist’s Way (Julia Cameron) at a bookstore and decided to purchase this copy since my copy was destroyed in the unrest. I had attempted using this book many years ago, but lacked the commitment or maybe maturity then to follow through with it. This time I religiously followed the activities, and it helped me cope with the traumatic events and get back on track. I still try to do my morning pages and need to remind myself of my art affirmations every time I feel some self-doubt creeping up. It helped in all facets of my life, allowing me to reflect and decide on a way forward. I decided I had nothing more to lose and needed help getting out of my creative block and had to move on from the pity party I was throwing for myself. I could do one of two things: sit around and be sad and stop painting; or take control of what was within my control.
Painting has always been my way of destressing and being in the present. I also thought about how much art materials and equipment I had put away for when I was ready to use it, saved away for that “special time or right moment”.
I will be first to admit that I absolutely love and am addicted to art materials. I would and always end up filling my luggage with art materials that we do not always get in SA whenever we travel – instead of items like bags and shoes that I have been told “normal” people purchase. It dawned on me that the only thing I could be certain of was the here and now and that motivated me to finally use those precious pastels I was conserving.
Art materials, like most things in life, are only things and only useful once you actually use it! It took me a while and lots of pain and tears to learn that life lesson. I had no pastel paper so ordered PastelMat paper from my favorite art store (yes, Artsavingsclub!!) following guidance from my art teacher.
Needless to say, my order was with me the next day, and also treated myself to a basic set of Carbotello pastel pencils. Initially a bit nervous, I had my reference image printed and got started – creating my first pastel art piece and first piece that I did following the worst creative block I experienced. That was also my first pastel painting to be sold – incidentally to the same buyer of my Blue Tulips that I entered into the last Drawing Guild Member challenge.
Rekha dreams of one day becoming a full time artist.
“I love my day job as much as I love art, but would love to spend more time creating. My need to do more art seems to be growing by the day. I dream of one day having a successful exhibition and for my art style to be recognisable.
I also want to grow awareness and appreciation of the art forms and media I enjoy and build networks and relationships with fellow artists. I am also passionate about encouraging people to try art, even as a leisurely activity. It can be learned with practice, commitment and perseverance and gives one an immense sense of peace and satisfaction.”
I smile at how her analytical side pops up again as she talks about reaching her dream.
“To reach my dream, I need to set realistic goals, such as continuing to learn more about maximising the potential of pastels. I need to be consistent in setting aside time to create, and participating in art communities, exhibitions, and “putting myself out there”. Social media offers great opportunities to engage with others, share your work etc but I usually shy away from it. I am now trying to make a concerted effort to embrace and utilise the tools available to me and get over my introversion and reluctance to use social media.”
I ask Rekha who inspires her – artistically or otherwise and who she’d love to meet if she could.
“I am inspired by my family, friends and artists who so willingly share their knowledge and techniques as well as the beautiful work they create. There is fleeting beauty all around us and artists are able to capture and preserve that moment in time. There are numerous artists I would love to meet: pastelists, such as Emma Colbert, Vera Kavura, Magaret Evans, Mila Sladkova whose work I became familiar with through social media. Also watercolorists Shirley Trevina and Rosie Sanders whose use of bold color and exquisites florals respectively I admire. As well as oil painter Claire Basler – the softness and ephemeral quality of florals against gorgeous skies and similar scenes that she is able to capture on huge canvases is gorgeous.
The questions I would ask them? Why, almost exactly as what I have just answered!
I would love to understand what inspires them, whether they had formal art training, what their process is, and what advice they could share with emerging artists. I am also always keen to see artist’s creative spaces, how they order their materials, etc.
Rekha’s answer to my question about her proudest moment as an artist makes me laugh out loud as I absolutely understand where she is coming from!
“This may sound quite quirky but one of my proudest moments was being referred to as an artist!
As much as one creates art, you do wonder whether you are considered by others as an artist. Having had my watercolor painting receive 3rd place in the inaugural International Watercolor Society of Southern Africa exhibition that was judged by renowned international judges and having the same piece sold to a US visitor a few days later was a proud moment.
Receiving first place in the Drawing Guild membership challenge #6 has certainly made me feel so proud and honoured, especially as it was the first time I entered or publicly shared my pastel work into any contest.”
Well Rekha, I think it is indeed quite safe to say you’re an artist! Thank you for sharing your journey – especially the difficult bits that we often prefer to skim over. I hope that we see some of your beautiful pastel work in our exhibitions this year and I wish you all the best in reaching your dream!
