Harem's world

It was coffee on, and a view of a magnificent, sun-baked suburban park from the first floor of my friend, artist Harem's, new home this morning. Although his new home is many, many miles away from the forest behind Kaapsehoop, it has the same atmosphere; again he's achieved an incredible balance between light, space and nature. I left there energised.

The Blue Orb

My friend Harem has just finished painting his 'Blue Orb'... www.harem.co.za. It's time, I realise, to visit him and Ghandi in the forest. Ghandi is his gorgeous great dane. It seems the winter has been getting to Ghandi... .

Pointsettias are flowering...

What I appreciate most about where I live, is that my backyard - the place where I play - now encompasses hundreds and hundreds of square kilometers.

 

One of my favourite, most peaceful and inspiring places in this backyard, is my friend - and artist - Harem's (www.harem.co.za) 'farm' in the very creative heart of the forest between Nelspruit and Kaapsehoop. 

 

He lives here with Ghandi, his great dane, and a stunning, sweeping 180 degree view of the Barbeton valley.

 

Right now, on his 'farm' and in stark contrast to the winter drabness, the pointsettias are flowering. They caused my jaw to drop at their unexpected, passionate beauty.