Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 9
Choiseul (or Chwazèy in Kwéyòl)
Choiseul Art Gallery: Hattie and Leo Barnard
Drive South on through Canaries, and Soufriere – past the Sulphur Springs on your left, then on to the magnificent Petit and Gros Piton, keeping along the coast road, one arrives at the stunning and tranquil village of Choiseul.
ThereI met and interviewed Hattie and Leo Barnard. She is a prestigiously talented artist. He is an artisan in local arts and crafts. They live and work in Choiseul St Lucia. Together they own and manage the Choiseul Art Gallery (and a museum under construction).
Gros Piton From Choiseul
Choiseul is probably one of the most peaceful and serene places in the world I have ever been to. It’s there I truly experienced the ecological and geographical richness offered by St Lucia.
As you drive into Choiseul there is a palpable sense of serenity that descends upon your heart and soul, that just makes the world around you feel at ease. Choiseul is embedded in some of the most naturally beautiful countryside vistas in the world. It’s truly exceptional and breath-taking scenery all around.
The transformative sense of calm mystique and positive energy is so real. It’s easy to detect why so many artisan tradesmen have made Choiseul not only their place of work but their home. It’s a place that harnesses creativity and artistic endeavour. Thus Choiseul is well-known for its arts and crafts industry and progressive community.
Hattie Barnard & Leo Barnard (Photo from Choiseul Art Gallery Web Site)
One can read Hattie’s bio and about the Choiseul Art Gallery on the internet (https://choiseulartgallery.com). So please take the time to check out their social media pages. It will be worth the time, it’s very interesting, informative and filled with wonderful examples of their work. One can have portraits done to order. Better still, visit the gallery and browse through the catalogue of Hattie and Leo’s work.
Self portrait of the artist Hattie Barnard
“Tell me about your Choiseul?”
Hattie: “Choiseul is a quiet peaceful place.
“Choiseul is quiet and peaceful. It’s the most rural part of St Lucia. It’s probably one of the few remaining unspoilt areas on the island. It has a real village atmosphere where the people are friendly.”
“Tell me a secret about Choiseul?”
Hattie: “My secret place is called ‘So Lapel’. It’s a tiny natural waterfall way in the “Bush.” Few people know about it. When I came to St Lucia for the very first time, my husband took me there. We spent the day swimming in the pool. It was formed by the overflow of the river. It was so lovely. All you can hear is the sound of the birds around you, singing and singing.”
“Another secret is, the idea of not necessarily having to throw something away if it’s broken or worn out is great. Because, most times, there’s a creative person around in a village somewhere who can fix things for you.”
Diamond Falls painted by the artist Hattie Barnard
“Tell me about your favourite painting?”
Hattie: “I knew you would ask me that! I haven’t got one. But, I know what people like. They seem to like the cover of my book – The village by the sea. I never expected them to like it as much as they do. It’s a painting that I did early one morning from the jetty in Laborie, looking across to La Batterie where lots of fishing boats are moored. It’s a tiny village within Laborie village itself. People also like the Diamond Falls and anything I do of the Pitons.”
“Your most memorable painting”
Hattie: “All my paintings are memorable, because they all have a story to tell. As most of my work is done at the actual site, there is usually something about the place that appeals to me . One day my husband pointed out to me that most of my work has water in it. This is not something I had ever given much thought to, but then, I realized that he was right, because I am often drawn to the tranquillity and sound of water. Whenever I paint it, my goal is to make it look as realistic as possible so that the person looking at the painting might feel that they are right there with me, and feeling the sense of peace that I feel.”
Artist Work Station in the Gallery
Your St Lucian inspiration?
Hattie: “The first time I came to St Lucia, I really loved it. I think it’s to do with the landscape. I’ve been to other places, but St Lucia has a different feel to it. I looked at it with an artistic eye, thinking that I could possibly work and live here quite happily.”
What St Lucian artists do you admire?
Hattie: “I like Dr Christopher Cox’s work. He paints the local “Jacquot” parrot mainly, the national bird (The Green Parrot). It’s so beautiful.
When children come to the gallery they feel inspired and get very excited, especially when they see a painting of a place that they recognise. Children generally love art.
The Upstairs gallery Space
Plans For the Gallery & Museum?
Hattie: “Leo and I spoke about having a museum at the gallery well over 10 years ago. It’s called The Cultural Blend Museum. It will be predominantly an 18th century St Lucian home. Plus, we’ll have some exhibits from Africa and England. Leo and I are working on this now. The museum will be something more for the visitors to see and learn of St Lucian culture. It will open to the public in October 2023.”
The Downstairs Gallery Space & Shop.
Arts & Crafts. Calabash
This Years Theme
Every year Hattie has a special theme she works on to exhibit in the gallery. This year Hattie is producing a body of work featuring sunset themed landscapes.
Hattie: “No day is the same in St Lucia, and sunsets really depicts this beautiful island.“
“I’m a landscape person. I like to paint landscapes as nature has so many beautiful things to offer.”
Evening sunset in Laborie (In the twilight)
An amazing feature of Hattie’s work is her water scenes, painted to get the look of fluidity and tranquillity she is striving for. It’s a unique endeavour giving her work a distinctive character, where the artist really searches out the indefiniteness of water and colour.
The acrylic paintings are done on ‘home-made’ paper. Again, where the artist is striving for the colour and fluidity of the water.
Art on home-made paper
It was a real joy to spend time with Hattie and Leo, as we relaxed in the cool breeze amongst the crowing cockerels and sleepy dogs of Choiseul. They are a most charming and easy-going couple.
I really loved being surrounded by the beautiful work created by them both, and the picturesque Choiseul ambience. Their environment seemed enhanced by their hard work, perseverance, and real love for the area.
It’s easy to see Hattie loves creativity, and can see and literally draw out the essence and beauty in things that most people pass-by.
The Majesty of the Pitons (View From North looking South)
While in Choiseul I took the opportunity of getting up close and personal to Grand Piton, its prodigious monumental power, inspiring aura, and commanding presence, completely took me emotionally by surprise. ‘Me thinks!’ The only good thing about travelling on one’s own is that nobody can witness your involuntary tears.
Homeward Bound.
I got home, completely inspired by my conversation with Hattie & Leo, being immersed in beautiful art, the power of nature, and being uplifted by another blistering ‘Helen of The West’ sunset. I reached for my guitar and a rum. The melancholic but heart-breakingly beautiful William Bell song “I forgot to be your lover” just came to my hands. A riff that had eluded me for years. Coincidence?
Last Word on Choiseul
Academics and scholars will argue about the aesthetical differences between creation and the force of nature, (mountains’ creation, volcanoes’ nature.) I think they missed the point. To me the issue is not one of origin or creation, but one of personality, character and place. That’s what I see and feel from the Pitons. In the presance of the Pitons, one is overcome with its ethereal beauty. It really is the canvas of the gods.
The landscape paintings of Hattie Barnard exude and radiate wholesome personality and unimpeachable character. They really are embedded in the soul of the Caribbean and the heart of St Lucia. And just like the spirit of the Pitons they are of their place and could be of nowhere else.
A View of the Pitons painted by the artist Hattie Barnard
Acknowledgments:
- Hattie & Leo Barnard.
- Kwéyòl Dictionary Ministry of Education Government of St Lucia 2001
- Lorraine Mulcahy for her love and understanding!!
- Tony Nayager for corrective guidance. (He knows what I mean!)
- Marylin St Rose for keeping me right.
Reasons to be cheerful No9 is dedicated to Allan Ramsey. Gone too soon. Rest in peace.
End of Reasons to be Cheerful Part Nine
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Thank you.
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