“Every day, I live a lie
But not the crocodile kind.”
Mambalicious. Acrylic Painting on 24”x 36” Canvas. Completed July 2020
My paternal grandfather was known as King’ang’i, Kamba (my mother tongue) for Crocodile. He had a way of getting things done and owned a prominent arts and crafts store at the City Market, located in Nairobi, Kenya. Walking up to his store, you were welcomed by large unique hand made Mahogany & Ebony carvings. This painting takes me back to my pre-teen days when I visited the store, and he’d buy me lunch, a comic book or car magazine from a street vendor who set up daily at the market entrance.
This painting took patience and time but the outcome speaks for itself. The facemask that I wear on a daily basis is based on this painting. My cover pages on social media are of this image. Soon, this painting will be on a t-shirt.
Mambalicious Mask at Common House.
You may also recall from “My Creative Journey” blog that this was named Mambalicious by my niece Laura.
I think my late grandfather would approve. My hope is that one day, I’ll find a good carver who can turn this into a life-size carving.