31 October 2007
Port Louis — I travelled a lot before settling in Pointe-d'Esny and met many different people.
I feel Mauritians have been blessed with an abundance of both raw materials and inspirational scenery. So I have been surprised to see so few examples of their creative potential. Most of the craft I see are plastic dodos and such. Surely people have more to give. I appreciate the richness of Mauritians. They are soulful people.
But most of the people I know, especially the young, are too negative. They prefer the security of a job they don't love to the joy of making something happen out of their inner self. I can understand that, but it is ultimately frustrating and you end up missing the chance of living a fulfilled life.
I believe that, if you do things with a clear heart and if you put a positive energy into what you do, you will always achieve success. Obviously, you do not meet with success from the start but, when you are in action to achieve something, things come by themselves. I left a high position in the marketing field in Belgium, fed up with an unfulfilling life, and decided to follow my passion for art in New Zealand, with nothing but my bicycle and my dream of being a free artist. I started my new life as a gardener, then worked in a framing shop, and started selling my paintings with the frames in the shop.
But it was not enough, I needed to study more. Two weeks later, I received in my mail box an advert for "The Business School of New Zealand" offering an Illustration and Cartooning course by correspondence And so, my life was on track.
In marketing, you always have to do things you don't like, but the artist works with love. I think plenty of Mauritians, humble people, are very apt and gifted with their hands. There is also an abundance of natural material that could be used for art.
Follow your passion for something, and making a living from it is bound to happen, because we live in a world where people are looking for what is done with commitment and love. So, to all those who want to create something sustainable from their passion, I wish: "Courage and good luck!"
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