Beauty and faith fills Francois’s life
Francois McDuling has put together a book showcasing his art and poetry, which he aims to sell.
AN Umbilo artist has put together a booklet highlighting some of his vast library of paintings and poems, which he hopes to sell to the public.
Francois McDuling’s collection of pictures and words is entitled ‘Beauty and Faith’ of which he is extremely proud. He said he has already created more art and poetry to fill a second volume.
Francois’s brother, Hector, said his family knew from the outset that Francois had a creative mind of above average ability. Every Saturday morning, while still at primary school, they would go to the Natal Education Department buildings in Acutt Street for weekly art classes. At high school he continued to receive accolades for the quality of his writing and his general ability as a wordsmith, particularly in his highly creative use of imagery, which was the toast of the English staff and the envy of his classmates who regarded him as somewhat of an eccentric.
Francois, (66), had to contend for most of his life with a debilitating disability that prevented him from excelling in normal employment, however Hector said he had borne the burden of his disability with a resolve that does him credit.
Francois said his passion for painting started when he was a teen, and ‘just grew on him’. He said he paints with a lot of joie de vivre.
“I’m a very eager painter, I don’t copy pictures, unless I am painting an animal, and I use a lot of imagination and exuberance. My idiom is simplicity and bright colour, and I paint with oil on polyester canvas. It’s a great pleasure for me,” he said.
He is very proud of his art and said he had five paintings on exhibition at the Bat Centre last year, where they were greatly praised.
Francois gives all credit to his unwavering Christian faith which has seen him negotiate his illness to where he is today, at peace with himself, his faith and his love of writing and painting.
He said his writing started coming to life around three years ago when he started meditating early in the morning.
“I have a psychiatric condition, and when it started to resolve itself, I started getting up at 3am and meditating. God speaks to me and gives me the words to write poems. I write a lot about God’s beauty in human nature. My creativity comes from God and is enhanced by Him. It gives me much peace,” he said.
Francois was excited when a friend, who owns a publishing company, said she would publish his work.
“I hope to sell some copies, so I can get started on the next volume, which is already in the pipeline. I also hope to sell some of my paintings. I am running out of space at home! There is one that I am keeping though, which I have painted for my future wife!” he said.
If you are interested in buying a copy of Beauty and Faith or one of Francois’s paintings, contact him on 031 205 1080 or visit him at 435 Bartle Road, Umbilo.
