You never stop learning THE JOY OF ART

Writer: Liz Clarke

Jaylon Phillips cannot remember a time when drawing and sketching were not part of his life. In many ways pencils and scraps of paper were his “friends” – a way to break away from niggling everyday problems and embrace a world where imagination was king.

“I loved plants and nature, and I would look at things very closely to see how they were put together and draw them as well as I could.”

It was a natural talent that was noticed when he was a junior school learner at Okkie Smuts, around the corner from his Stanford South home.

“I had a really great art teacher called Adana. She taught me about composition, accuracy and the importance of light. More is less she kept telling me. My biggest dream was to go to art school, but in high school in Gansbaai there was no art subjects, so I had forgotten it for a while.”

But once matric was finished Jaylon, now 26, went back to his favourite pastime, art.

“I began drawing again, using fine nibs, brushes and inks, each work taking weeks to finish. I got quite a few jobs – and that was good. These days, though, I am more into pop art, using acrylics.”

His mission is to complete a set of six paintings featuring major pop artists including Chris Brown, Snoop Dog, 2Pac and Drake. Waiting in the wings are Notorious Big and Dr Dre.

“Once I’ve closed that chapter, I want to do some of the legendary greats like The Beatles and Queen, still using the pop art genre because I think that is what younger people like and I have to be able to make a living and certainly enough money to buy paints and canvases.”

However, there is another sideroad that Jaylon is exploring – and that is the world of tattooing.

“I have a small business with a friend in Hermanus and we are really busy. I believe that to be a good tattooist you have to be an excellent drawer and know how to do fine artwork. I would like to open a tattoo shop in Stanford, but I am not sure if the village is ready for that,” he says with a knowing smile.

There may be a day, he says, when I don’t want to do any of these things. But that’s what is so exciting about art. You are always learning. You are always thinking about ideas. I say bring on the next chapter – I will be ready.”

Dates To Diarise

Weekly Events

Every Monday

Painting Classes with Tracy Algar (10am – 12pm)

Egret & The Owl Book Café

R200 per class

Details: 084 584 3757

Every Wednesday

Writing Classes with Lesley Beake (10am – 12pm)

Egret & The Owl Book Café

R250 per class & R160 for lunch

Details: 082 6464 420 | lesley@lesleybeake.co.za

Every Thursday

Calligraphy Workshop with Martyn Johnson (2.30 – 4.30pm)

Details: 084 675 1164

Fresh Produce Market (9am – 4pm)

Martin’s Deli, 1 River Road, Business Park

Details: 082 321 0337

Every Saturday

Stanford Square Market (9am – 2pm)

Stanford Square, Queen Victoria Street

Details: Kathryn Gardiner Marshall 083 677 5737

Stanford Saturday Morning Market (9am – 12pm)

Stanford Hotel Stoep

Upcoming Events

JANUARY 27 Sunset Market

29 An evening of Music and Petry by Further Ade

Stanford Kitchen, 19 Queen Victoria Street

From 6pm for Dinner, show starts at 7:30pm

R100/per person

Details: 079 975 6211

31 Learn Zen Meditation Online (8pm-9pm)

Details: BornastheEarth.com

Upcoming Events

FEBRUARY

2 – 5 Women’s Retreat

Bodhi Khaya Retreat, Grootbos Road, Gansbaai

Details: 072 385 6978 www.bodhikhaya.com

9 – 12 Life Alignment Retreat with Jeff Levin

Bodhi Khaya Retreat, Grootbos Road, Gansbaai

Details: 072 385 6978 www.bodhikhaya.com

16 – 19 An Equine Facilitated Regenerative Retreat

With Liesl van Zyl, Kirsten Neke & Their Herd of 8 Horses

Bodhi Khaya Retreat, Grootbos Road, Gansbaai

Details: 072 385 6978 www.bodhikhaya.com

20 – 23 Ecstatic Intuitive Dance Retreat with Andrew

Barnes

Details: 0836791297 rhiannevdl@gmail.com

25 Stanford MTB Classic XCM

Stanford Valley Guest Farm

Details: www.overbergmtbevents.co.za

Writer: Liz Clarke

What makes a good quizmaster? This was the question put to Allen Linden Barnley, Master of Food, hosting and quizzes at the popular country living eatery, The Zesty Lemon. He thought for several seconds and then he replied:

“Quite honestly, I don’t think there is a simple answer to that one. It’s not about the questions you ask, but rather the way you connect to people. Of course, any quiz is about knowledge, what you know and what you don’t and that in itself makes people mega competitive and sometimes pretty raucous. But it’s also about friendship, conviviality and having fun.”

Putting that mixture together takes practice and patience, he says. And Allen should know having had six years of quizzing experience in Cape Town before coming to Stanford.

“You get the serious regular quizzers who make it their business to know everything. It’s almost a career. To be honest, that can be quite stressful. I’ve seen a few angry outbursts.”

“But Stanfordians, they’re the best. They love their quiz evenings and I have enormous fun creating sets of questions that I know they will enjoy. We also support local causes.”

Having said that, he admits that there are certain rules that you, as a quizmaster, have to stick to. Firstly, no cellphones or tablets are allowed at the tables. Secondly, no shouting out of answers and keeping noise levels down. And thirdly, the quizmaster is always right!

“I say this because I have researched the questions thoroughly. If I’m challenged, I will allow that person to google the question. If I’m right, that person will buy me a drink, and if I’m wrong, then I will buy that person a drink. It’s the easiest way to maintain control.”

And by control, Allen means in a firm but fun way. And what makes a good quizzer?

Be curious, suggests Allen, about everything from the hottest planet to the makers of Marmite, the first name of Charlie Chaplin’s wife and the name of a fictional city that is the home of Batman.

And if you’re really serious about improving your quizzing skills, you could try some online sites like quizly.com, for example.

By the way, the hottest planet is Venus, Marmite is made by Unilever, the first name of Charlie Chaplin’s wife is Oona, and Batman lived in Gotham City. Happy quizzing!

Quiz Evenings

Stanford has two regular quiz evenings - one at The Zesty Lemon and a second one at Birkenhead Breweries in aid of the Conservation Trust Association’s various volunteer community projects, including the upkeep of the Wandelpad, Swop Shop and numerous heritage initiatives. Keep an eye out for notices regarding both these events.