Nigel  Rittey  ARTISAN of the month

 

  • Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, personal stuff).  

 64 years old. Zimbabwean. Financial Adviser with Mondial. Been 19 years in Financial Services industry. Before that 20 years in pharmaceutical sales         and marketing in Zim and SA. Before that 7 years with the Rhodesian Light Infantry.

 

  • What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from? 

Always inspired by aircraft. Loved them since "knee high to a grasshopper". Build and fly radio controlled planes 

 

  • Greatest claim to fame (with respect to your craft) 

Had several cartoons published over the years              

 

  • Where were you born  ? 

Salisbury, Rhodesia.     

 

  • How long have you been doing your craft ?  

Since I discovered what a pencil was!   

 

  • How did you learn your craft  ? 

By just doing it. Also had a very sexy art teacher at high school in Salisbury ...the blonde Miss Honeyman was a great inspiration.       

 

  • Favourite film of all time  ?  

Papillon 

 

  • What was the last CD you bought ?  

Don't buy the things...I only remember "records". Got one of those tiny whatyermacallits  you are supposed to use after a "download" of your favourite music from a computer...It lurks in a drawer at home.          

 

  • Are you married ?  

Yes. Married 34 years to Basia.    

 

  • Do you have kids ?  if so please tell us more about them  

One son. Miles is an aero engineer based in Switzerland. Loves airplanes and motor cycles. 

 

  • How long have you been in the UAE ? 

6 years     

 

  • How long do you intend to stay in the UAE ? 

As long as the authorities will allow me!  

 

  • Do you belong to any other groups ? 

UCCD Bible Study group. 

 

  • What are your favourite materials? 

Pencil and cartridge paper. My painting is dreadful but I will try again and again! 

 

  • What is your favourite colour?  

Dare I say grey? (My hair colour!) 

 

  • What are you reading right now? 

"The Aeroplane" magazines. 

 

  • Any tips on selling handmade stuff? 

Ask questions, listen to what people want and give it to them.   

 

  • Apart from creating things, what else do you do? 

Smoke a pipe, worry, drink gallons of coffee, dodge crazy drivers and try to grow people's money....and then worry all over again. 

 

  • Your star sign  

Capricorn  

 

  • How can ARTE be improved ? 

As it's already doing a fantastic job, not much... other than trying to get as much "baksheesh" media coverage using profiles of personalities and their works. The search for new venues / opportunities has to be stepped up. Al Ghazal is a great place but somehow the owners need to tell the world that it is a Mall...not just another fancy apartment building as it appears to be when viewed while fighting one's way around the "Bidet Roundabout"

  

You can contact Nigel on Nigel.rittey@mondialdubai.com