Waiting For A Fare

I traveled to Morocco a couple of years ago. This trip made a tremendous impression on me. The sites and smells, the land, the people and their animals were unique and new and drew me into their embrace. But, as an artist what held me in its grasp, were the colors and patterns of the country.

Shortly after we arrived in Marrekkesh, we attended an event called Fantasia. We went with our fellow visitors on a long bus ride out of the city, into a dark countryside we were unable to see in the pitch of the moonless night. We knew we had arrived when we pulled into a brilliantly illuminated courtyard with a majestically tented entrance. We entered through a maze of walkways lined with riches intended to dazzle us, and they did. The inner courtyard was grander still. All around were elegant buildings and brightly colored tents.

Along the curb in that courtyard stood a camel hitched to a post. On the camel's hump was a draped seat, enclosed by a canopy and sumptuous draperies. The camel's owner leaned against its back, waiting to be hired for transport. When I looked at him, I knew he had been together with the camel a long time, as the resemblance was clear.

Why is it people look so much like their animals?

The painting "Waiting For A Fare" 30' x 24" acrylic on canvas. Available June 7 & 8th at Flatbush Artists Studio Tour, on the web at: www.flatbushartists.org for map. I am location #1.