The Evolution and History of
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My flat in Nairobi, Kenya, 1999
Let me preface this by saying, I've always loved original art. In Africa, I found the motherload!
Let's see... I moved to Kenya in 1988, with a two-year contract to work with a Kenya government parastatal, the Kenya Posts and Telecommunications (KPTC), in Nairobi. Immediately on landing in Nairobi, I was struck by the sights, sounds and smells of Africa. It didn't take long for me to discover all of the incredible art galleries in Nairobi town - and in a short time I found myself with quite an impressive collection of original paintings and African art of all sorts.
In Rwanda with (former) Zaire on the other side of Lake Kivu
When my contract was over, there was no way I was going to leave Africa. In addition to my wonderful art collection, I had made many good friends, and truly, I was in love with life in Kenya. It was during this time that things were brewing in Somalia - it was the time of 'Blackhawk Down' - so I took a humanitarian relief job with a United Nations implementation agency and was sent to Mogadishu, and then to Bardera, Somalia. After my death-defying stint there, from which I am still shell-shocked to this day, I was sent to war zone #2 - post-genocide Rwanda (on day 101 of the 100-day genocide where more than 800,000 Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered), where I spent two years managing the rehabilitation efforts in the southwest prefecture of Cyangugu.
With artist Joel Ngoko
All this time and everywhere I went, I met local artists and continued to collect local art. After Rwanda, I went to war zone #3, South Sudan, for a couple more years, but this time working for Veterinarians without Borders. Finally, when I had enough of dodging bullets, mortars and grenades, I landed the perfect peaceful job in Nairobi as the Deputy Director of KickStart Kenya - the makers of the MoneyMaker irrigation pumps for very peaceful farmers... no war, no guns, no running - which was great because by this time I was married to a wonderful Kenyan woman, and she was pregnant!
It was time to settle down, enjoy life with my wife and kid - and build a website to market all of the fantastic art that I had collected from the many artists I had met in the course of the previous decade. Below you can see some of the artists with whom I work directly. From them, to me, to you. (continued below the gallery)
With artist Patrick Kinuthia
In life, it's not often that there is a 'Win-Win-Win' scenario - but we can make it happen here! You win because you receive a beautiful original painting from an African artist at a reasonable price; the artists win because using their skills and talent to make money and provide security (shelter, food, medicine, schooling) for their family is what they live for - ultimately, they are the biggest winners. And I win because the small profit I make from the sale of paintings maintains this website by providing funds for the purchase of more paintings from more African artists, hosting services, website upgrades, and shipping supplies. Win-Win-Win!
Below: Me with some of my friends, the artists:
