A must read for nature and art lovers

On my bookshelf is a weekly showcase of must reads and some behind-the-author scenes. In this week’s edition, we take you through the pages of “Painting A Life In Africa” by Joan van Gogh

DEDICATED to her four children, Joan Van Gogh's memoir Painting a life in Africa takes readers on a journey through the life of an artist on the African continent.

Her memoir portrays her journey through the land teeming with natural beauty and some challenges. As a botanist and an artist, Van Gogh humorously shares pieces of her childhood – from frequent visits to the emergency children's hospital to a healthy teen and adult. She contracted Blue measles, underwent a kidney operation and the removal of her tonsils, all forming part of her childhood memories shared.

As Van Gogh grew older, all she wanted to do was paint and read. She joined a mountain club and immediately felt at home. Mountain climbing, dirt tracks, cliff slides and trees is where her life-long love affair with indigenous trees began. She soon became familiar with many of the more common species and their personalities. From the busy markets of Nairobi to the serene landscapes of the Maasai Mara, Van Gogh's writing takes readers to the heart of Africa. But it is not just about sightseeing, Van Gogh opens up about the trauma and loss of her first born, living from hand-to-mouth when she fell pregnant again and the challenges she faced being a female artist in Africa.

Overall, Painting a life in Africa is a must read for anyone who appreciates travel, nature and art.

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