I have always found the artistic progress of Lianne Elliot fascinating. She was always good, but now her skill is astonishing. You can see that she loves animals, particularly in the way she can recreate their very essence. The souls in their eyes always get me.
A friend of mine, Carl Roberts, is one of South Africa's top sculptors. He says he had no innate talent at all but through training he learned to be good. I have never quite believed him. I think you either have talent or you don't. But both Lianne and Elliot have really honed their skill through working very hard at it.
Carl works with found objects such as rock, bone (from everything from giraffe to whales), and driftwood. He finds them on walks, on holidays, on trips. The final piece takes its form based on the found object. I think he is supremely talented.
One of Carl's favourite subjects is the octopus. Partly because they are fascinating creatures, but mainly because along with hair, (in particular women's hair) eels and snakes they can be made to fit almost any shape.
I met Carl when I was about 18 years old and we were at university together. I liberated one of his rejects out of the garbage to decorate my student room and I still have it! He finds it amusing that I have one of his 'beginner' projects but I think it is beautiful!
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