KLOOF’S Sheila Nicol is an amazing woman.
Although in her 70s, she has skipped the proverbial winter years of retirement and leisure and reverted to a spring season filled with much activity.
Just getting this interview appointment was quite a feat as her diary is so full.
She has also overcome the after-effects of a stroke and other illnesses and instead of wallowing in a soup of self-pity, she soldiers on regardless.
becomes an artwork.
Sheila does the most exquisite mosaics and has named her studio, appropriately, Just Imagine Mosaics.
The entrance to her home in Kloof is bright and interesting with the flooring, outside table and stools, birdbaths, planters and garden walls covered in colourful mosaics.
Her spacious cottage is adorned with mosaic pictures, lamp stands, trays, mirrors and so on and is in fact a beautiful gallery showcasing her impressive artistic flair. Yet, her entry into the adult world of work was in an area as far removed from art as possible.
“I was born in England and worked as a bookkeeper. I met my husband, Bob, in Jersey. He came from Durban and a condition of the marriage was that I return with him to set up home in Durban,” said Sheila with a rather whimsical smile.
“So we moved to Durban and I had to adapt from a 16th floor penthouse in Birmingham City to sunny Addington Beach where we settled. I again worked as a bookkeeper in Durban.
Sheila befriended a woman, Zelda Martin, and they decided that, since both their husbands worked, fished and enjoyed socialising at pubs, they would spend their time productively using their sewing talents to make clothing which they sold at the former Amphitheatre market at the beachfront.
“Both our mothers were dressmakers, so we had that in common too and became business partners,” said Sheila.
That season ended then tragedy struck when Bob died.
Again her resilience and intention to pursue a purpose, her default mode, emerged.
She said she needed more to do besides raising two daughters and a son. She was living in the Bluff and together with Zelda, decided that since no one they knew of was doing mosaics in Durban then, they would teach themselves.
“I found doing mosaics to be easy and have completed a range from commissions, including school badges to making my own mosaic tiles. After she moved to Kloof and opened her home studio, alone this time, feisty Sheila got on with mastering the art of mosaicing. Inbetween, she made the most exquisite quilts that adorn her bed now.
“I also give classes. It is a great group and fun activity for parties and clubs as well those just wanting to learn a new and creative skill. “There is no doubt in my mind that working with my hands and tackling commissions, attending various clubs and markets and hosting my classes, has kept me going despite ill health. I am always busy and this is keeping me young,” Sheila said, as a matter fact.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
