2019 has greeted me with so much new. New year, new me, new site, new city.
Last year October I took the leap into the unknown, uprooting my whole life to follow my husband to the promised land; Cape Town, the place where I intend to live out the creative dream. I thought it only fitting that the first blog post on my brand new website should be about existing as a newly-solo creative in a brand new city.
Don’t get me wrong, Joburg has a fair amount on offer for the hungry creative soul (Pretoria, less so), but Cape Town? Wow. (this is where I insert the mind-blown emoji).
So much stimuli. The fountain of eternal inspiration. Instant creative overload.
For someone like me, an aspiring-everything—writer, artist, illustrator—a place like this can make or break you. Seeing so much creative success can make you feel so small, and so far from your goals. Or it can breath new life into those dreams. When you are juggling as much as I am attempting to juggle (yes, go ahead and laugh;I quit my job and now I’m complaining about juggling? Don’t underestimate the pressure free time can put on a chronic dreamer and workaholic) running a small agency, working on an art series I’d like to exhibit this year, churning out illustrations and trying to fit in the writing of (and possible—fingers crossed—eventual publication of) a novel? Hitting a creative wall is not an option. I’m running a tight ship; every second of my day is scheduled and regimented, down to the last second of “vegging”, so if I can’t produce a piece of creative in the time I’ve allotted due to creative-block, that is a problem for me.
You might say that being this OCD has me heading for a serious meltdown, but being so organised has me feeling the best I have in MONTHS (I’ll cover the ways I like to structure my time in another post. Trust me, I’m getting this shit down). Point is, to keep this ship afloat I need inspiration on tap. And thanks to beautiful Cape Town, this is entirely possible. Here are some of the sources of infinite creativity that I have identified in my new home:
Artisanal Markets
I’m a handsy person. Not in the sense that I like to fondle innocent bystanders, but in the sense that I love to make stuff. I am currently in the process of making a marketable skill of my ability to magick useful things out of useless things (though, according to permaculture, in which I am a firm believer, nothing is useless—only surplus. A post for another time…). Nothing feeds the DIY problem-solver and artisanal soul like a Cape Town market. I have not even scratched the surface, but so far these are my top picks:
Not only can you find some beautiful hand-crafted, locally made, quality goods here, but you can be inspired by the dedication and perseverance that goes into making a success of your seemingly small ideas. It’s also great to support others who are taking the plunge in the land of SMEs. Woolies could take a cue here… just saying.
The Oranjezicht City Farm Market Day
Yes, the veggies are overpriced and much of this smacks of the elitism and lofty ideals of the “zero-waste” movement (of which, by the way I am a a huge subscriber—that doesn’t make it any less elitist or lofty as it currently stands), but if you are looking for some sunshine, fresh proteas for your studio, feel-good food and refreshing scenery, this is the place. Also, it will bolster your no-doubt beaten and slightly wounded zero-waste intentions. And it’s dog-friendly; doesn’t get better than that.
Good beer
One of the greatest things about Cape Town that I have discovered so far is how easy it is—granted, you have to be willing and able to spend a little more—to shop local, and shop good. Beer is no exception; not only are the labels an endless source of branding inspiration, but craft beers like Toast embody exactly what it is to be a responsible creator, brand, and human.
Side note: nothing refreshes the soul after a hard week like a cold craft beer.
Better coffee
Beer is one thing, but coffee is what makes this particular creative get up in the mornings (I’m not waxing lyrical, I literally—correct use—would not get out of bed if there was not a coffee waiting on my bedside table. My husband is angelic). Cape Town coffee is pretty dang good, and the coffee shops ultra-conducive to creative thoughts. Some of my favourites would have to be Truth, because steam punk is never old, and Kamili (on Harrington street, not the hell-hole that is Long Street) because; amazing coffee, hip staff and a free coffee with every purchase of beans. Winning.
The best wine.
You knew we would get here. It’s the Cape. There must be hundreds of wine farms in a 100km radius, each one more beautiful than the next. It’s not even only about the wine, which is magnificent, but the art, the food and the gardens touted by each of these places is just extraordinary. They’ve been chronicled to death, so I won’t linger on this topic, but for this one special mention; if you are looking for a place to clear your head and take a big deep breath surrounded by the bounty of nature, Babylonstoren will set you right again and again.
Doggy-lovin’
I dragged my four-legged bestie from his spacious, lush Brooklyn garden to a significantly smaller space, and while Huxley is a cuddlier, more supportive, and far more sober office-mate than in any agency I have worked at, he also needs 100% more attention. Luckily when Hux needs a walk and I need a break from the solitude—which can take its toll—there is a favourite adventure we like to go on; just a short walk through cute and quirky Observatory is my local dog-friendly cafe, Cafe´Honeybun. Perfect to sit and write, or people-watch, while Huxley plays havoc beneath the table. The kicker? They serve decent coffee and a R22 breakfast. Yes, R22!
Side note: I can guarantee that if you live in Cape Town, there is a cute, probably dog-friendly and creatively conducive cafe´ near you. Pick a direction, walk, and you will find it.
Cloudy days in False Bay
I like sunshine as much as the next pale, freckled creature, but gloomy grey days are simply my jam. These days bring out the introspective (lol) writer in me, and my imagination comes alive. When it does, there are places I like to go to fully immerse myself in my thoughts and find my creative inspiration.
Simon’s Town
Honestly, there isn’t a place in particular that I like to go to in this town; it’s really just the town itself. Walking aimlessly between the old houses, down to the beach, along the jetty at the yacht club, or the sidewalk overlooking the naval base. The whole place feels like somewhere lost in time.
Kalk Bay
If you hit up Simon’s Town, it only makes sense to carry on to Kalk Bay. On gloomy days I love to have a drink at the Brass Bell, with waves crashing up against the glass, tea in an old train, or to explore the best book shop I have ever come across. They don’t just sell books, they curate them. You can be sure that if you pick up a book in this store, it will be good.
Art and soul
Cape Town is aspiring artist Mecca. There are so many galleries here selling to the tourist market that opportunities seems endless. One of the most popular times—from what I’ve experienced—to visit galleries is First Thursday. Really though, this seems like a good excuse for a debaucherous bender with friends under the guise of being cultured. I personally prefer to do the whole route again the next day, when it is quiet and there is less chance of a student puking on your shoes. One of my favourite stops here is 99 Loop; I find I can really relate to their contemporary, seemingly whimsical but deeply conceptual selection of art.
Drive
Just drive. When I’m running on empty, I like to get in the car with Abri and Hux, and drive. It doesn’t matter where to. At dusk or, even better, dawn; just getting in the car and going.
It’s a new city, with so much to see and smell and hear, every trip into the unknown is an adventure, full of promise.
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I’m a newbie, still exploring the ins and outs of being a solo-creative and Capetonian. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or old hat Cape Town city-dweller, I’d love to hear from you! Where do you find your inspiration?
Featured image by John O’Nolan on Unsplash. The rest are mine.
