Berette's Creative Life Journey: The Wanderer: An Old Path to Renewal

Monday, 15 February 2010

The Wanderer: An Old Path to Renewal

A few days ago I did myself the therapeutic favour of visiting an old friend and explorer, Colette Garrick, owner of THE WANDERER* - a peaceful and alluring  haven of colour, art, ancient metals and jewels, pottery,and crystal wonder.

She - a beautiful, inquisitive, and generous spirit.  For years, Colette's nomadic journeys have sparked local interests in the decorative pieces and amulets she collects from cultures around the world; hence 'the wanderer'.

When I was in high school I spent so much time here, and also spent much of my student fortune on crystals and silver rings that I collected seemingly by the pound.  

Having lived away for so long now, I've drifted far from so many aspects of my past.  It was truly a soulful treatment to pass through these gates again, and I walked out with a spirit quartz (from South Africa) and a colour treated Aqua Aura - scintillating stones believed to be imbued with the energy of peace, purity, and community...to keep clear the channels of creativity. Score!

The extra treat was this painting by Kacey Ferguson.  I HAD to get it.  His technique is incomprehensible, but it was his imagination I found to be absolutely irresistible.

I learned too that Colette grew up under the thumb of the recently deceased Albert Huie (1920-2010), known as the "father of Jamaican painting".  She shared a cathartic goodbye/thank you letter she wrote after his passing, which brought to life a couple of odd memories I had of him: his smooth knocked knees always revealed by his long working plaid shorts, and 

the pronounced angle of his right forefinger knuckle - made permanent from years of pressing the paint brush to the canvas.

I didn't know him well, but I did spend 1 year of my life sitting for him every Saturday when I was 18.  Me, a figdety troublesome subject who refused to remove my panties, and him a jovial and patient older artist excited by youthful energy, yet unrushed by it.

I wanted to share this some time ago, but I decided against it after hearing of his death. And, well, there was great trepidation about posting the nude too - though Huie's impressionistic nudes have always been celebrated here.  

Anyway, dear Colette furrowed those distinctively arched brows of hers and instructed I post away.  And as another friend added, "If you are feeling like you want to put the Huie paintings up on your blog, don't let your tits get in the way. :-)" Haha - thanks Justin! Here goes:

Albert Huie nude and portrait

*If you're ever in Kingston, Jamaica, you must visit THE WANDERER:

3 Queensway, Kingston 10, Tel. 876-926-6071

Also hit the link at the top for a YardEdge interview with Colette. 

NB. Photographer of Huie pic unknown.

10 comments:

Anonymous15 February 2010 at 15:19
Beautiful One ... I remember when you looked like that ... I remember that cocky jaunt of your chin coupled with the Empress stature. Anaemic passports aside, our island is erotic in her riches - our art, our music, our women ... our vibration. And you, our island daughter, are richer still. Come home and reinnoculate the soil!
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Anonymous15 February 2010 at 17:03
Hi Berette,

OK, now I have just realized that you are a super good writer, you never fail to amaze me, my girlfriend of many talents. You use them well. I have bought quite a number of interesting collectibles from Collete, starting back from the 1980's. I need to pay her a visit and I do admire Huie's work. What became of your portraits?

Cheers,
Jen
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COLETTE GARRICK15 February 2010 at 17:20
My dear, dear Berette,it has been so wonderful re-connecting with your beautiful, joyful, creative spirit.Thank you so much for re-entering my sphere, you have been missed.Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful art with me.
You are indeed, on many levels, one in a million.Thank you for including me in your blog with two of my favorite artists, what an honour.
Come home soon,we need you,Colette.
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Janice Thompson15 February 2010 at 17:33
Thanks for sending me this. Glad to know you are pursuing happy wanderings in JA and finding peace therein.

I watched once again the very touching tribute to your Dad. I know it was a tough assignment that you gave yourself, but what you produced was so beautiful. I know he is proud.
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yxi15 February 2010 at 18:28
Why did you even hesitate posting these before??!!! These are gorgeous, as are your boobies;there I said it! Now the blue lingerie on the left is a whole different topic!LOL. Just wanted to make you smile :D
But seriously, where are these today?? makes me miss working with acrylics and oils..sigh
Beautful pieces.Thank you for sharing and thank you Justin! ;)
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Unknown16 February 2010 at 07:10
Sure, the boobies get all the comments.

Meanwhile, another splendid photo goes undiscussed. Not so, i say: gorgeous contrast, lovely detail, beautiful framing.

But true, excellent boobies.
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Ishka Designs Inc.16 February 2010 at 07:33
Whatever "the light yet compelling reasons..." are, they seem to be doing something really good for you!

Keep on.
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ColetteG16 February 2010 at 10:41
BTW THE PHONE # FOR WANDERER IS ACTUALLY 92-66071.
COLETTE
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SeBiArt17 February 2010 at 12:33
Thanks everyone for checking on this stuff.

Nicky-plum goddess queen:
Home is def calling me - but as strongly as other parts of the world are too. Trying to, and will figure out how to be in all...

Yes Jen:
Definitely check Colette again - she's got so much cool art there too. And thanks for the big ups. The portraits are the property of a private collector. Will email you on that one...

Yxi:
Yeah - the one on the left, the portrait...the blue lingerie...there's a separate story behind that one girlfren...will holler at you about that later. lol

Daan:
thanks for the big ups on photo! you meant the 'daily pic' right?

Aunt Jan:
Wow - that was unexpected! Thank you - makes me want to wander back to watch that again too.

Ishka:
Indeed 'something'. :) But get ready cuz me ah reach back up deh soon to spread that 'something' around.

Colette:
It was my joy to visit, and my joy to share. And - the number has been corrected. Ooops. ;)
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Sean John18 February 2010 at 09:44
Nice piece Berette!!!!
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kWotes and Haikus

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Monday, 15 February 2010

The Wanderer: An Old Path to Renewal

10 comments:

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