Stellenbosch and Portchie

My previous post happen to be about  beauty so often overlooked and taken for granted on one's doorstep - when I visited Lourensford Estate a while ago.  Living in the famous winelands of the Cape, and in particular the Stellenbosch region, a mere 15 km away, is another such gem.  

After tending to some business in Stellenbosch I decided to not head back home but to go for a stroll in this picturesque town.  It is not uncommon to see a constant stream of young people strolling around as the majority of them would be studying at Stellenbosch University.

A popular destination for tourists because of its cultural heritage, the beautiful old buildings and so many oak trees, its a merry mix of students and tourists that grace the streets.  Having a trusty compact digital canon in handbag in case of emergencies, I whipped it out and put on my best tourist grin and boldly took photo's of whatever tickled me.

I clicked away, without any problems - amongst others, of the oh-so-typical elephants/giraffes/beads that you find everywhere.  Not really interested in that, after all - the streets and shops are quite riddled with the curios in places.  One of the shopowners was not happy with my few clicks - even when I tried to explain that he would have got a bit of free advertising on my blog. Feeling a bit deflated I meandered further downtown - clicking here and there - when out of the blue, Portchie's studio, The Red Teapot Gallery, loomed in front of me in glorious colour.  My deflated mood drained into a crack on the pavement and the blazing colours sucked me in and I felt like I was in a smarty box.  What a magical crazy fantastic mix of fun and colour explosion eneveloped me.  

Portchie himeself was there about to tackle a blank canvass.  We exchanged a few words and he was happy for me to take as many photo's as I wanted and signed the two prints I bought for my daughter.  What a change from the earlier experience from the whatchamacallit-african-curio-seriously-overpriced I-will-never-go-there-again place!

I felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland that discovered a giant splendid smarty-box and was dizzily delighted by the explosion of colour which wrapped itself around me.  Somehow if Portchie himself burst into song it would have been appropriate and fitting.  Even if someone held out a glass of bubbly champagne it would have been appropriate.  

And I know, all I had was my little digital - but you'll get the picture :D.  So, without further ado - here's Portchie in his Art Gallery, smiling, friendly, chatty, open-armed in this bright and cheerful happy playground of his.  Thanks Portchie! 

Portchie - the colourful Artist

Playful and whimsical

Bought a print of this one for my daughter. She love VW's

Love the detail close up 

I loved the fact that he had other artists work as well

Flying Pigs? 

Pink flying piglet at your smiling service 

I  know I know - but I couldn't resist them.  Are you smiling too?

Playful colour explosion 

She is so gorgeous

Loved her detail 

I'm  not sure whether these are Portchie's own scultpure's or  not.  

 

I was thrilled to see Frans's work there too 

colour me everywhere

 

Close-up of a scene in one of the paintings

Hop-Scotch 

Another close-up detail 

:)

'Daisy will you marry me'?

Beetle Juice

Thanks Portchie - you coloured my day