HI THERE I’M HERMA
Before I introduce myself….My website Herma Kitching Art (https://hermakitchingart.com) was created as an online gallery to showcase my artwork and a way to keep it up to date and digitally organised.
My blog “Life on the right side of the brain” is the mouthpiece of the stories and inspirations behind my art and how creativity has permeated my life and settled into even the deepest crevasses of my soul. This sounds so serious and fancy, but how’s that for some creative writing?
BUT LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF FIRST
I’m an artist from Cape Town (South Africa), where the city ends and the (wine) country-side begins.
My name is pronounced hærma:
I always wanted to paint. I also really wanted to be a vet when I was at school, but alas, I’m too much right brain, not enough left brain and maths was not my best subject. After my studies, I ventured into the Interior Design industry and started painting part-time. My husband bought me an art gallery in 2003, very small and intimate and I had an amazing 6 years learning about and connecting with the art world from all angles.
And now, at last, I’m an (full time) artist!
Slightly introverted, I sometimes feel like a contradiction to myself….in the words of Victoria Erickson “Half of me is filled with bursting words and half of me is painfully shy, I crave solitude yet also crave people….I want to live within the rush of primal intuitive decision, yet also wish to sit and contemplate…”
I’m serious about a couple of things, but don’t take myself or life in general too seriously.
I love good coffee, good wine and excellent bubbly – life’s too short you know…
I can listen to calming, soothing music for hours, but oh boy do I love my noisy rock!
I’m wife to John, mother of two gorgeous girls and Schnauzer Zozi, daughter of the Most High God.
WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES ME
Being primarily a landscape artist, I love the work of Seago, Constable, John Singer Sargent and Turner, but there are so many more modern artists who’s art I admire, too many to mention, but a few that springs to mind: Simon Addyman, Fiona Rowett, Colley Whisson, David Atkins, Claire Wiltsher…..
Artists I follow to learn from: Malcolm Dewey, Richard Robinson and Stefan Baumann. They share not only their painting skills, but about the tools of the trade and art marketing as well. Their knowledge are endless. With numerous books, tutorials, Youtube videos and even mentoring programs, there is no excuse to stay stagnant as an creative.
Nature is my greatest inspiration. Stormy, moody skies and dramatic landscapes excites me, but I stand in awe of the beauty of even the simplest of scenes. Paul Cezanne sums it up so perfectly:
“We must not be content to memorize the beautiful formulas of our illustrious predecessors. Let us go out and study beautiful nature.”
I also draw inspiration from my emotions and life experiences, both the heartbreaks and feelings of elation. “Art is your emotions flowing in a river of imagination” (Devin)
And then there are those ‘I-wish-I-painted-that‘-thoughts of professional jealousy that motivates me to learn more, push the boundaries and get out my comfort zone. The idea of creating the same stuff over and over again scares me a bit. I think I’ll die of boredom. It is so important to keep on learning, inventing, experimenting and growing – even if it’s hideous….at first. Thát is how you take your creativity to the next level.
THE STUDIO aka MY HAPPY PLACE
I work mainly from my studio at home, which used to be the study. Sometimes I paint with friends or go en plein air. I do dream of a bigger space where friends and visitors can lounge on the couch and watch me paint, or make me coffee…
I look out onto a small self-made mini (tiny tiny) ‘forest’.
I listen to lots of music, sometimes watch a tutorial or two, drink coffee, but most of all just do what I love – paint paint paint.
