Painting Joy

The Why

Joy and I first met whilst working at Mkono & Co Advocates in 2007, a top law firm in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She was more senior and had lots of experience but she took me under her wing as I was fresh from law school. So almost ten years later, it made sense to accept a commission to paint this talented, beautiful lady that I have known. Joy asked me to paint a different sort of portrait and I jumped at the opportunity as she gave me full artistic license to paint what I thought. Joy also wanted a portrait of her parents including, her wonderful Mother had passed away a few years ago and she wanted to have the portrait include a sweet picture of her parents and a wonderful garden that her Mother had created at their home.

The Process

I was in Dar es Salaam (December 2016) at the time staying with my mum and Joy popped over a few times to get to know Oliver and spend time chatting to my mum whom she knows well. We caught up as she sat for me. The medium was a mix of Oils for the portrait and acrylics for the the backdrop of the garden and house. As I was painting this I was influenced by Frida Kahlos’s style.

Thank you

Thank you for the opportunity to share in the things that are close to your heart and to allow me the freedom to express it. Hope you enJOY it!!