Art Tuition - by Mary-Anne Bartlett

Mary-Anne Bartlett is an accomplished artist, experienced in painting and drawing in Africa. 

 

She welcomes artists of all standards – and non-painting partners who just want to enjoy the peace of it all!  

 

In her art tuition on safari she has three principal aims: -

  1. To give you an opportunity to draw and paint in an environment which will enrich your appreciation of the natural world.
  2. To encourage you to paint from nature and to give you the vision and artistic skills to be able to make fast impressions of moving animals.
  3. To provide you with a varied programme which will stimulate you, give you opportunity to discuss your work with fellow artists and to inspire you to continue painting nature in your own time.

 
Non-painters welcome!! If you want to bring a friend or partner who doesn't paint, they are most welcome, especially if they are interested in nature.  Non-painters benefit from the attention of the safari guide for in depth animal or bird watching while others are painting.

As the great-great-granddaughter of Sir John Kirk, Mary-Anne has Africa in the blood. Kirk explored East Africa on the Zambezi Expedition with Dr David Livingstone in the 1850-60s before being Consul General of East Africa in Zanzibar. She takes after these early explorers - both Kirk and Livingstone also travelled everywhere with their sketchbooks.

Her work ranges from the detailed to the expressive and the minimal. Her detailed water-colours of landscapes lead you wide vistas of timeless beauty, whilst her minimal drawings and prints of African wildlife capture those fleeting moments of interaction between wild animal and the silent human watching in awe.

Mary-Anne studied Fine Art at Exeter University (BA Comb Hons) and L’Ecole des Arts Décoratifs de Strasbourg (DNSEP), where she graduated with first a class masters degree in 1993.

Mary-Anne's Bradt Guide book to Malawi was published in Sept 2006 www.bradtguides.com.  The Art Safari Sketchbook, sold in aid of Danger's orphanage, is published by Urban Fox in December 2006 www.urbanfoxpress.co.uk. 

Mary-Anne set up Art Safari in 2002, the first Art Safari was in 2003 in Malawi and Zambia.

Art Tuition - to suit your needs
Our art safaris are tailor-made to suit the individual needs, artistic abilities and size of each group.  The minimum group size is four people, the maximum eight.  

 

We want to: -

  • inspire you to paint from nature and give you the artistic skills to be able to make fast impressions of moving animals.

  • provide you with a varied artistic programme 

  • give you a fun and relaxing holiday, learning new skills and experiencing the thrill and excitement of a safari.

  • introduce you to the art and culture of another country.

Artist-in-Residence at Liwonde National Park

A Malawian artist will be appointed to accompany each group to Liwonde National Park.  Rarely able to visit the National Parks due to lack of funds and always delighted to have contact with artists from other countries, the artist-in-residence gains in leaps and bounds from the experience and is a really sparkling and enthusiastic addition to the group.

In September 2003, William Mwale became the first Art Safari artist in residence and was presented with a special gift from His Excellency President Bakili Muluzi in recognition of this opportunity, presented to him at Mvuu Camp by the Hon. Dr Ken Lipenga, Minister for Presidential Affairs.

Since then other Malawian artists have joined Art Safari, including painter Nyangu Chodola, batik artist Ellis Singanu, painter Innocent Wallenga, painter Peter Mtungi and cartoonist Brian Hara. 

Cultural exchange

You will also be able to meet African artists currently gaining international reputations.  

In Malawi we visit Mua Mission, famous for its woodcarving and home to Malawi’s most fascinating cultural museum at Ku Ngoni, and try to squeeze in visits to La Galleria in Lilongwe or La Caverna at Mandala in Blantyre.  

In Zambia we spend time in Tribal Textiles www.tribaltextiles.co.zm and a cultural village in Mfuwe.  

In Kenya we have time to chat with international artists at the Kuona GoDown Art Centre in Nairobi www.artshost.org/kuonatrust.  

You will also find that the painters, jewellers and carvers selling from curio stalls are expert craftspeople.
Look no further - an Art Safari is not just a safari...  

Your trip is designed by an artist to maximise your experience of the African bush. 

These are a few reasons why an art safari is different from most other safaris: -

  • Safari guiding and art tuition, tailor-made for you.

  • Long periods of time to sit out in the wilderness observing wildlife and the natural world.

  • Maximum amount of time in National Parks and Reserves.

  • Small groups in quiet, uncrowded surroundings, out in the wilderness, undiscovered by mass tourism.

  • No rushing from place to place, though a few early starts to catch the morning light!

  • Plenty for non-painters to enjoy too.

You may choose to customise your itinerary to further suit your needs if you are in a group of 4 or more.

We run a very small personalised service and are always available to talk of Africa on the phone.

Ask any question….  info@artsafari.co.uk

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