talented painter

A talented painter went from gardener to roadside artist to keep his passion alive! Showing us all how important it is to follow our dreams.

 

It’s Saturday and as I’m driving North up Cedar – just a little ways past the Steyn City turnoff I spot Langson on the side of the road. Sitting behind an easel with a paintbrush in hand, he’s busy painting a colourful bird.

My name is Langson. I’ve always been gifted in drawing. When I was in primary school I soon learnt that if I had an assignment or test, and I hadn’t prepared well, that I’d get extra points if I did a really beautiful picture or diagram. My teachers loved my drawings.

I’m originally from Zimbabwe, and when I came to South Africa I found a job as a gardener. I drew some pictures for the son of my employer, and he showed his mom. She was so impressed, that she asked me if I would like learn how to work with paints. She looked online for a local artist who lived nearby and found Tony Kelly. Tony introduced me to oils, and I took lessons from him.

I love painting birds, people, and also places that are special to me – like Vic falls. My work was featured at the Black Like Us art exhibit a few years back – but then they closed down.

I still work as a gardener during the day and at night I paint. I always have to push myself at night because I’m usually very tired, but painting is what I love. On Saturdays I stand here and sell my work and also get a little painting time in.

Langson’s number is 0848436499

He stands on Cedar road a little past the Steyn City turnoff when heading North.

How you can help:

1. I asked Langson where he buys his materials from and he told me he gets them from Herbert Evans. Would anyone be willing to donate some oils and canvases, as I know first hand that art is not a ‘cheap’ hobby

2. Go have a look at Langson’s works- they really are stunning and quite unlike work I’ve seen before

3 Are there any art galleries that would be willing to sell his paintings

4 Anyone that can help him set up an online selling site, as I’m sure his paintings would do well overseas as well.

I have a name I have a name I have a name


I Have A Name is a space where an anonymous photographer (we’ll call her J) is taking photos of everyday South Africans to showcase their incredible stories.

How do we bridge the great South African divides? Black vs white, young vs old, rich vs poor, men vs women? The divides that keep us from making eye contact with the beggar standing on the street corner, or the stranger in the lift.

CS Lewis said, “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”

Come with me on a journey…the stories and names behind the faces of everyday South Africans living their life in your neighbourhood, on your streets.

I think you will discover that we have a lot in common.


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About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

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