Mike and I had anticipated this painting expedition for a month. We lined up the time weeks ahead. We made the canvases and purchased a gas burning lantern used for camping, among other things.

We were pumped. We knew it was going to be a long night. So I got us a take-away dinner from a nice restaurant, some snacks and drinks. We arrived on location. Our car was a 10-15 minute walk away from the painting spot. So we had to make several trips to bring all the materials. We also had to cut a path so that the wet painting would not be damaged on returning it to the car.

When we dropped off our first load of supplies there were two guys drinking on the bridge. We said hello in a friendly voice. They were nice and offered us pizza. They seemed pretty cool.

We made a second and third trip and after 45 minutes things were in place. We cut a path. It was time to paint.

The two guys started to come very close, and were in our faces. We talked. They told us that they were staying at the Sheppard's of Good Hope. Things progressively got more and more difficult and after an hour of being extremely polite things really got heated. They asked for our wallets. Mike tackled one of the guys to the group and punched him in the chest. He had him in a head lock and shouted at him with a fist, telling them to leave. Sadly Mike's actions were necessary. The two guys got the point. Everyone got up.

But the two guys did not leave. They just continued to fuck us around. I took my paintings down the hill and the easels. When I cam back up. I fucking lost it. And went fucking crazy. Absolutely fucking crazy. I screamed and was out of control. I terrified them. I got right in their faces fucking screaming. If either one of these guys made a move on me I was going to physically fuck them up. Break their noses and throw them off the bridge and into the river. Do not fuck with me. They knew it was time to leave immediately and they did. Thankfully I only had to use my voice as a weapon.

We waited twenty plus minutes, calmed down, collected ourselves, and waited to make sure they would not return.

photo of Mike painting on location around 1 am.

We had some thing to eat, and started painting. Two hours later the lantern ran out of fuel. So we attended to that. Then the wind blew Mike's painting/canvas off the easel and into the river. We scrambled and had to move fast. Magically a man arrived (named Robert), he jumped in and helped us throw rocks and heavy objects in to the river. We all started throwing heavy rocks to wave, push the painting closer to shore. It worked and we had Mike's soaked painting back in hand.

Mike's recovered painting after palette knifed

We talked to Robert. He stuck around for some time while we resumed. I attended to Mike's painting and Mike started the lantern. Robert was a really nice guy. He was very cool and very helpful.

We painted for 1 ½ hours or so. Robert had a large 6-14 foot fire burning. So we warmed up and talked. We went back to paint. And about an hour later we went back to see him. We all started dancing around and jumping through and over the fire. It was nuts. Fun, good laugh and got the blood pumping. You only live once.

photo of the fire - when it was small

I went back to focus on the painting. Time was ticking. And I really had to get down to work. The river was still… absolutely still. The reflection was clear. The wind was silent. Like a dream frozen, suspend. The water, dew in the air was thick and falling. We worked for hours. Mike and I really worked. It was great. Hard work, we pushed on. Time passed.

photo of painting on location around 3 am

I was finished and basically waited, worked until the sun surfaced. I was nervous, you never know what your painting is going to look like when the day comes after a long night. Much to my surprised I was pleased with the nights work.

We had some tea and talked. It was now morning and we watched the sky warm the air. The light walked across the sky, down the streets, and up the buildings.

We had to pack up and carry supplies / equipment to the car. We witnessed a line of ducks swim in perfect order, straight line. It was a dream to see such harmony.

We returned to my place and unloaded the equipment into the studio. Erika, Isabelle and Tante Chantal were all having breakfast.

My painting had too much condensation so I had to touch it up. We cleaned up a little. Then Mike and I went out for brunch. And at 12 noon -> asleep.