Just a sketch

who’s about

At her office overlooking the quay at Woodbridge, I track down Mary-Anne Bartlett of Art Safari who has been running artistic adventures around the world for over twenty years, transforming her passion for exploration and creativity into a remarkable career that has led her from the plains of Africa to the Galapagos Islands.

Mary-Anne’s wanderlust was first ignited on a trip to Malawi in the early 90s when she embarked on a 240km expedition along the Shire River, retracing the footsteps of her great-great-grandfather who had been a companion of the pioneering explorer David Livingstone. It was on this trip that Africa stole her heart, and in 1999 she returned to lead her first official art tour. “I wanted to share with other artists the magic of painting in the most exciting wildlife spots I knew. It is only through painting that I feel I stop long enough to engage with what I am looking at. I wanted to share this artistic connectivity to the environment with others.” Initially the trips were based in Africa, taking groups to sketch the beauty of the Great Rift Valley, the crimson flashes of carmine bee-eaters along the banks of the Zambezi, or the excitement of a busy watering hole at sunset as herds of elephant, zebra and giraffe tentatively came down to drink.

Now, Art Safari runs painting holidays to over 45 countries, including Morocco with its bustling bazaars, Norway and the astonishing spectacle of the Northern Lights, and Hungary, where you can witness the magnificence of its annual crane migration. The duration and level of adventure varies with each trip, ranging from a genteel 5-day painting retreat in Cornwall to 12 days of the remote landscapes and incredible beauty of the unexplored Kingdom of Bhutan. Mary-Anne leads four to five trips a year, but with over twenty painting trips in total, she also has a team of nine experienced tutors, carefully selected for their knowledge of specific destinations. All share her infectious enthusiasm and ability to ignite the imagination and creativity of the group, creating unforgettable journeys that immerse participants in the cultural tapestry of their destination.

As well as running tours, Art Safari also offers a range of painting workshops, both online and in person at the studio in Woodbridge, and for the past three years has organised Suffolk Sketchfest, a 3-day celebration of sketching the maritime heritage and wildlife of the River Deben. Once registered you can immerse yourself in a wide range of art workshops, demonstrations, sketching walks and storytelling. “It is a chance for people to really engage with their chosen subject matter and improve their observational skills, be they focused on the colourful houseboats that jostle for space along the harbour, the reflections that play across the water, or just the repeating pattern of the masts. We are on hand to help them unlock their creativity, try new techniques, and to give them the confidence to experiment with colour and form.” It is a wonderful weekend, allowing artists of all abilities the opportunity to refine their skills through expert-led tuition and to have their eyes opened to the everyday inspiration that surrounds us all.

Mary-Anne is obviously still as enchanted by the beauty of the natural world as she was thirty years ago and talks with passion about a trip to Liwonde National Park in her beloved Malawi where, standing on a termite mound, she saw over fifty vultures wheeling in the sky above. “I had never seen vultures in the park before and it was an incredible moment as I knew it could only mean one thing: lion had returned to the park after an absence of twenty-five years.” It is this deep-rooted knowledge that she brings to her painting trips and is one of the reasons Art Safari has such a loyal following. She is always appreciative of the wonders encountered on the tours and emphasizes the importance of gratitude for the experiences captured in the sketchbooks. “Sometimes there are special instances, such as when a herd of elephants, their silhouettes graced by the backdrop of a setting African sun, emerge to traverse the river, and it is at these times that we need to remember to put down our pencils and just embrace the magnificence of the moment.” www.artsafari.com out & about

Mary-Anne has managed to successfully intertwine the realms of art and travel to create adventures that allow clients the opportunity to witness the world through an artist’s lens. Her ability to blend artistic expression and exploration is remarkable and is one that leaves an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to join her on these artistic odysseys.

Suffolk SketchFest 2023 takes place 4-6th Aug. Visit www.suffolksketchfest.co.uk to register.

July

Until 17th Sept: Sculpture at Helmingham Hall

Over 300 sculptures adorn the gardens of Helmingham Hall in aid of Art for Cure.

20th-23rd: Latitude Festival

Suffolk’s finest music and arts festival returns to Henham Park.

21st-3rd Sept: Summer Splash

Fabulous summer fun for all the family on the farm. Easton Farm Park

25th-30th: Converge_8

Artists, designers and makers come to 10 Church Street, Framlingham.

26th – 26th Aug: The Winter’s Tale

Shakespeare’s greatest tale of jealousy, love and forgiveness will leave you spellbound.

Outdoor theatre by Red Rose Chain at Sutton Hoo.

30th: Music in the Gardens

Beautiful blooms, hot dogs and the Swing Machine Big Band – the perfect day at Helmingham Hall Gardens.

August:

1st: An evening with Bob Harris OBE

‘Whispering’ Bob Harris OBE in conversation with Martyn Joseph: An evening of stories and music. The Cut, Halesworth. 7.30pm

4th-6th: Black Shuck Festival

Professional storytellers, musicians, puppeteers and theatrical performers celebrate folklore, literature and the mystic of the Black Shuck. Bungay

4th-6th: Sketchfest

Three fun days of sketching, art workshops, demos, al fresco dining, music and storytelling. River Deben, Woodbridge. www.suffolksketchfest.co.uk

5th: Don Quixote

A family friendly tale of misadventure and chivalry by Quill & Inkling. Thorington Theatre 7pm

6th: Festival of Classic & Sports Cars

Over 1000 classic cars and sleek new sports cars roll into Helmingham Hall.

7th-12th: Private Lives

Passion, laughter, romance, anger, and love set the stage for an epic battle of the sexes in this Noel Coward classic. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall

11th-13th: Framlingham Art Exhibition

Wonderful selection of artwork from local artists. Free entry. Fri/ Sat 10am-5pm & Sun 11am-3pm. Community Rooms, Framlingham

12th: Bad Dad

This heartwarming tale from David Walliams is brought to life by the Cambridge Touring Theatre. Wherstead Park 4-6pm

16th: Laughter in the woods

An explosive night of comedy with Rosie Jones, Tony Law, Louie Green and more.

Thorington Theatre 7.30pm

18th-20th: FolkEast Festival

Take your family and friends and fill your boots with music, food, ale and art at this toe-tapping festival. Glemham Hall

31st: Back to Bacharach

Celebrating the timeless masterpieces of Burt Bacharach. Wolsey Theatre 7.30pm

September

3rd: Walk with a Fork

A family day with live music, crafts, games, food from local producers and a guided walk around Helmingham Hall Estate.

5th: Call me John

A local man’s tale of love, conflict, loss and hope that spans generations and beyond. The Cut, Halesworth. 7.30pm

5th-17th: Converge_9 Artists, makers and designers come to 10 Church Street in Framlingham.

10th: Suffolk Dog Day

All four-legged friends welcome. Helmingham Hall

26th-30th: The Invincibles

The untold true story of women who played for the love of the game. Wolsey Theatre

30th: Imagine… The Beatles

The ‘Fab Four’ are back with a Magical Mystery Tour. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall. 8pm

October 7th-15th: Palgrave Music Festival

A celebration of creativity, diversity and imagination with music, dance, theatre and visual arts. www.pdcc.co.uk