What better way is there to immerse in luxury and relax in the deep rays of the sun than a 10 day vacation in The Maldives? A place where the sands are as white as the smiles of the locals and tropical fish, painted in more colours than in my paint box, swim happily around your legs in the warm crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean. And what better place is there to watch the minutes melt into hours and the hours into days and doing it on your own time? This was my moment of luxury before a screaming baby explodes (I used the word ‘pops’ recently but my very dear friend corrected me!) out to greet us in 4 and a half months time!
Whilst relaxing on my sunbed, gazing out at the sea of bare backs floating amongst the deep indigo patches of the ocean, I noticed a sand crab hard at work on the shoreline. Two beady eyes would pop out of a tiny hole to assess the area, before scurrying out with a pincer of the white stuff and dumping it at his nearest fly-tipping site before darting back into his hole like a criminal in the night. Inspired by his stealthy personality and amusing character, I decided to paint him on my return home.
The Maldives harbor an array of interesting creatures just waiting to entertain and dazzle us tourists with their colourful displays and charming characters. Vibrant chameleons would revel in a game of hide and seek around a tree whilst alternating between the colours of the tropical rainbow. Giant fruit bats would flap overhead looking for young coconuts whilst I showered under a coconut tree in our private open bathroom. Geckos darted up walls in front of me dancing in all directions and chirping for company, steady as a rock if being ‘caught in the act’ on ones doorstep (see picture).
These little wrigglers moved me to dance the most ridiculous jitter like I had no upper arms but incredibly quick jazz hands everytime I saw one scurry past (which meant a lot of dancing and confused passers by!). The amazing ability of the gecko and its quirky quickstep moved me to paint it.
I would recommend anyone discover the dreaminess of The Maldives, it truly is paradise.
Our holiday of a lifetime (whilst we could still afford it!).
The Maldives, May 2015.
Modern watercolour animal artist | SGCreative 