Mobile Photography & Art – ‘Intimate Interview’ with Dale Botha from Queensland, Australia

To be able to draw and paint “like an artist”.

I was 8 years old and won First Prize at the Royal Agricultural Show in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. We had to paint a portrait of a friend and my art teacher entered my painting without me knowing.

Unpaid but done willingly. We lived on a farm and during the July school holidays for a number of years my Mum and I taught African children to write using a timber framed slate board. I can remember loving the feeling of the slate pencil gliding over the slate.

State/Government Schools. I attended boarding school from the age of 6 as we lived on a farm, and often wonder if my self confidence would have been better had I gone home to a nurturing, loving home each day after school.

My father would not allow me to study Fine Arts at University as he was of the opinion that all “artists” were drug addicts” – it was after all the early 70’s! I studied at the Natal Technical College in Durban and later entered the corporate world.

My hockey coach and Geography teacher at high school taught me that giving up on anything I wanted to do was a waste of time! My Grandfather spent hours photographing little scenes in his garden and making “story slide shows” for his grandchildren to watch at Christmas time. He gave me my first glimpse of photography as a means of telling stories.

I have always been sporty and recognise the importance of staying fit and strong especially as we get older.

I believe they go hand in hand but not necessarily in equal measures. A dose of self-discipline and humility needs to be added to the mix.

I do not enjoy politics but it does annoy me that adults in government behave like spoiled brats when they don’t get their own way! The professional ability to negotiate for the right reasons seems to be seriously lacking in our current world.

A really beautiful art room with huge windows and a view of open fields or mountains.

My iPad Pro and Apple Pencil which have now become a necessity in my life.

The mountains. Hiking in the Drakensberg Mountains when I lived in South Africa always made my heart very happy.

To have my work exhibited in a gallery or art show.

I love experimenting and those “happy accidents” are just the best! The trick is more often than not, to remember how I got there!

Definitely, my three beautiful children who have blessed me with 3 grandsons and twin granddaughters. Reaching the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world taught me patience and how to dig deep. Trekking to Everest Base Camp taught me that not all our dreams come true as I became very ill and had to stop and rest 2 days from Base Camp. Finally, being the Featured Artist in Living the Photo Artistic Life Magazine was a real honour and one that I am extremely proud of.

Inflated egos, insincerity, fickleness and lack of compassion.

I think she would be proud of what I have achieved so far but also disappointed that I had missed some golden opportunities along the way due to a diminished self-confidence.

My fathers Brownie Camera which was stolen in a home invasion in South Africa.

Greed, lack of respect, effective communication and climate change   politicians world-wide choose to ignore.

Mmmmm… not sure, but having somewhere to go to after we leave this world would be great!

There have been many under 5’s but lots of 10’s too. Re-locating from South Africa to Australia in late 2014, although extremely traumatic, is something I am eternally grateful for. It is all the lows in life that makes one appreciate the highs and I feel truly blessed to be able to do what I love each and every day. A very happy girl I am!

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