Two Artists, One Marketer and a Beautiful Memory

Summary

A marketer recounts a meaningful encounter with two artists—Susan, a landscape painter from the UK, and Simona, a mixed multimedia caricature artist from Lisbon—while visiting Fort Kochi during the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, leading to a collaborative art experience and lasting friendship.

Abstract

During a visit to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Fort Kochi, a marketer with a passion for art shares a serendipitous story of meeting Susan, a British artist capturing Kerala's unique fishing phenomena through oil paintings, and Simona, a Portuguese artist known for her quirky caricatures. The narrative unfolds with the marketer being encouraged by these artists to join them in a live sketching session, despite feeling out of practice and intimidated by their professionalism. The experience culminates in the creation of a sketch of rusted steam engines, signed by both artists, and leaves the marketer with a cherished memory and a hope for future collaborations. This encounter highlights the power of art to bring together diverse individuals, fostering cross-cultural connections and friendships.

Opinions

The marketer expresses admiration and respect for Susan's surreal and nostalgic oil paintings, and Simona's unique, raw, and rebellious artistic expressions.
The marketer is initially hesitant to sketch in front of professional artists due to a perceived lack of skill and not having sketched for months.
The marketer cherishes the support and camaraderie received from Susan and Simona, valuing their encouragement and genuine interest in his work.
The experience at the beach with Susan and Simona is considered by the marketer as a highlight of the trip and a treasured memory, with hopes for another art jam in the future.
The marketer maintains a connection with Simona through social media, indicating a lasting impact of the encounter.

Two Artists, One Marketer and a Beautiful Memory

A memorable story of a marketer who had a serendipitous meeting with artists from two different worlds.

The stream engine sketch

It was a warm early morning with the sun kept rising above the blue horizons of the ocean. Majestic Chinese fishing nets, struck to the permanent boats on the shores were attempting to filter sun rays with its intricate squares. Sidewalk was getting busier with regular walkers and joggers. Fishermen who went into the sea, early that morning, were returning on their small boats with baskets of fishes. In the distance, a few young couples were strolling, slowly, with their palms tightly held together. A group of old men were enjoying their teas and gossiping local news with friendly banters. I was rushing towards our meeting spot after parking my scooter at a playground closer to the beach.

Two Artists

Susan, as exactly how I noticed her the day before, was shifting her focus between the beach scene and the canvas. Her hand was holding a brush dipped in a bright orange colour paint. Next to her was a short parapet wall assisting her by holding the colour palette. Curious passersby were trying to get a glimpse into her painting. Susan was a landscape painter, an elegant English woman from Yorkshire, UK. She was frequenting India to document Kerala Chakara, unique fishing phenomena on the coast of Kerala, South India — through oil paintings. Her entire body of work, which I happened to browse through in her website, was surreal and mystic evoking a deep of sense of nostalgia.

A few meters away, Simona was sitting on a bench on the sidewalk. She was holding a tiny sketchbook, and her right hand was moving zigzag across the page with smudged charcoal. I was not sure as to what was her art subject for that morning, but I expected a whacky and wild sketch. Simona was a mixed multimedia caricature artist, for the lack of better word — pardon my artistic disability, from Lisbon. I became her fan instantly. Simona’s artistic expressions were quirky, raw and rebellious. It was one-of-its-kind.

One Marketer

I was the marketer in this story. I was at Fort Kochi in Kerala during March 2019. I was at the city to experience the grandeur of Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the largest art exhibition in India and the biggest contemporary art festival in Asia. Being an art connoisseur, I chose Biennale as my vacation land to unwind after a six-month hectic work schedule. I pulled along a friend with me who was an aspiring movie maker; two creative minds who were trying to explore and seek inspiration. The art festival venues were clustered around the beach, and we were staying close by. It was our routine to take an early morning walk at the beach before we drift for art immersions during the day.

The previous morning, I spotted Susan, who was working on her canvas. Initially, I observed from a distance and enjoyed the live painting. After a few minutes, I initiated a small talk which quickly turned into an interesting conversation about art forms, biennale and the Indian country. Susan introduced my friend and me to Simona whom she met at the festival. Simona was also at the beach doing a sketch study. During our talks, I blurted out — fortunately in retrospect — that I sketch during my free time and Susan encouraged me to join them and do a live sketch. I felt I was thrown into hot waters as I did not touch my sketchbook for months together. Also, I was embarrassed to try out an amateur gig at the watch of two professional artists. I hesitated, and then I accepted, promised to join them the next day.

Steam Engines and the Love

Permanent Fixture

Upon reaching the spot and I exchanged smiles and loud good mornings with Susan and Simona. I was clueless as what I would sketch. Susan pointed me towards the rusted steam engines of an old ship, which was standing as a permanent fixture next to the sidewalk. I loved the gigantic engines. I found a comfortable place to sit and started sketching. I felt the black pen moving aimlessly and creating rough strokes. For forty-five minutes the moving of pen continued. Susan came and sat next to me and then Simona. They looked into my simple sketch and told what aspects they liked on the sketch. I felt happy. As a token of love and friendship, they signed on the sketch (on opposite corners). We had some happy talks and laughter.

It was time for us to get ahead with our daily schedule. As it was the last day of my trip, I said goodbye to them and wished that destiny would bless us with another art jam, probably in Lisbon or Yorkshire. I left the beach with a steam engine sketch and a beautiful memory for a lifetime.

I follow Simona on social media, and we often give out our hearts for each other posts. I hope we would meet again. I wish. My love, admiration and respect for Susan and Simona continue.

If you want to see the two artist’s works, below are their websites. I hope you enjoy their works.