Navigating the Emotional Terrain of Commissions: A Reflection on Uli Haw's Commission

Commissions can sometimes be a tad debilitating, a departure from the natural, spontaneous outpouring that comes from an artist’s heart. When painting on a whim, an artist is free to channel creativity and inspiration in whichever direction the muse leads. However, a commission often comes with a set of expectations, a brief that may not always align with an artist’s innate style or preferred subject matter. In those moments, it feels as though the canvas comes with invisible boundaries, and that tension can weigh heavy.

In my experience, working from someone else's vision can feel like both a challenge and, at times, a burden. The challenge lies in attempting to remain true to my artistic sensibilities while still honoring the client’s wishes. The burden arises when the brief veers too far from my usual genre or subject matter. In such cases, it becomes a mental tug-of-war between stepping out of my comfort zone for the sake of growth and staying true to who I am as an artist. This internal debate often leads to important questions about honesty and integrity—do I take on a project that doesn’t feel authentic to me, or do I decline in the name of self-respect?

There have been recent commissions where I’ve found myself at this crossroads. Some, despite being outside my typical style, felt like exciting challenges—projects that might help me grow as an artist. Others, however, were simply too far removed from what I feel connected to, and I’ve had to step back and say, "No, this isn’t for me." It’s never easy to turn down a commission, especially when it comes with the promise of financial reward or the opportunity to collaborate with an enthusiastic client. But as I’ve learned, there’s immense value in maintaining a clear sense of self, in protecting that delicate balance between artistic growth and remaining true to one’s core identity.

This internal compass has served me well, guiding me through the delicate dance of commissions and personal projects. It’s taught me that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of authenticity.

A Breath of Fresh Air: The Joy of a Perfect Commission

Thankfully, not all commissions come with this level of tension. Sometimes, you get one that feels like it’s been tailor-made for your artistic voice—a project that doesn’t feel like work at all, but rather an extension of your existing passion. That’s exactly how I felt when Uli Haw, a long-time client, came to me with her latest commission request.

Uli’s brief was blissfully simple: "Just do a typical Bonney Karoo." Those words were music to my ears. No complicated guidelines, no attempts to push me into a different artistic genre or subject matter. Uli knew exactly what she wanted—my interpretation of the Karoo, a landscape I hold dear and have painted countless times. It was the kind of commission that felt less like a job and more like a natural continuation of the work I do out of sheer love for the land.

What a pleasure it is to be entrusted with such creative freedom. In an ideal world, every commission would be as artist-friendly as this. And so, I dove into the project with excitement, not hesitation. The result? A painting titled "A Karoo Commuter," a piece that I feel perfectly captures the spirit of the central Karoo—one of my favorite places in South Africa.

The Allure of the Central Karoo

This particular piece depicts the heart of the central Karoo, an area around the Middleberg, Colesberg, and Somerset East regions. For those unfamiliar with this vast and awe-inspiring landscape, the Karoo is one of South Africa’s greatest natural wonders. Its arid, expansive terrain stretches as far as the eye can see, characterized by endless plains, dramatic mountain ranges, and a sky so big, it feels as though you’re gazing into infinity.

The Karoo holds a special place in my heart, and it’s easy to see why. The interplay of light across the land, the warm, earthy tones, and the vast open spaces evoke a sense of timelessness, of being connected to something far greater than ourselves. For me, painting the Karoo is not about recreating a specific scene in photographic detail—it’s about capturing the essence of the place, the feelings it stirs within me, and the stories hidden in its rugged beauty.

As always, "A Karoo Commuter" is not a slavish reproduction of one particular view or scene. Rather, it’s a composite—a blend of memories, photographs, and sketches I’ve gathered over years of traveling through this remarkable landscape. In this painting, I wanted to convey the sense of solitude and quietude that defines the Karoo, while also paying homage to the resilience of those who live and travel through its remote expanses.

Clarens: The Heart of Inspiration

Fortunately, from my home and studio in Clarens, in the Eastern Free State, the Karoo is just a drive away. A seven- or eight-hour journey may seem long to some, but for me, it’s worth every kilometer. Clarens itself is a place of great beauty, nestled in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains, and it offers its own inspiration for my work. But the Karoo—there’s something about the rawness, the untouched quality of the landscape that calls to me. It’s a place I return to time and again, both physically and in my art.

I think what draws me to the Karoo is its sheer vastness. The landscape feels almost eternal, a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. There’s something deeply humbling about standing in a place where the horizon seems to stretch on forever, where the sky dominates the scene as much as the land does. The Karoo has a stillness, a quiet majesty, that resonates with my own sense of peace and reflection.

Beyond the Photograph: Capturing the Spirit of the Karoo

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned as an artist is that a painting should go beyond what a photograph can capture. While a camera can freeze a moment in time, it often falls short of conveying the emotional depth or the subtle interplay of light, color, and texture that define a place. That’s why, when I paint a landscape like the Karoo, I’m not simply trying to replicate what I see—I’m trying to capture what I feel.

In "A Karoo Commuter," I wanted to tell a story that goes beyond the obvious. The figure in the painting isn’t just passing through the landscape; they’re part of it. The light, the atmosphere, the endless horizon—these elements come together to create a narrative that speaks to the soul of the Karoo. It’s a place of quiet endurance, of slow, steady movement through time and space.

For me, that’s the true magic of painting the Karoo: the opportunity to convey not just its physical beauty, but its emotional resonance. It’s a landscape that invites contemplation, that asks us to slow down and appreciate the world around us. In that sense, I suppose every Karoo painting is a self-portrait of sorts—a reflection of my own inner journey as much as it is a depiction of the land.

Contact me using the "ENQUIRE BUTTON ON MY "KAROO COMMUTER" PAGE IN MY ARTWORK ARCHIVE PORTFOLIO. Or email direct petebon@icloud.com