How did all this start?
from Fiona
I am often asked, “What brought me to India in the first place?”
Here is my story. Here is a link to my CV and Gallery
I was a single parent and I was a Waldorf/Steiner teacher. A Steiner teacher stays with the same class throughout the primary years.
2003 was the last year with my class. Around October my middle son says “Oh Mum, we’re fine now. You don’t have to wait at the end of the phone when we are at Dad’s”
I was flabbergasted- what to do with myself? Time to step away from my class and my kids, time to let them grow up.
For many years school and kids had been my whole focus. I was struck by the thought “Time to get a life”
For the first time in my life I had a small stash of savings. First thought was “Right! I have always wanted to go back to Paris or go to Rajasthan, I can afford Rajasthan”
Quickly I got a passport and a ticket and found myself in December sitting on a plane flying to India. I freaked out and thought “what have I done?” With the plane taking off from Sydney it was too late to panic, I just needed to get into it.
I landed in Delhi in the middle of the night in December, it was cold, dark and ssssooooo strange. It seemed like I was in the opening scenes of the original Bladerunner movie.
It was the old airport in those days, the highway into town was being built- by hand- at that time. People scurrying around everywhere, up on the big pylons with welders throwing out sparks against the dark night. Traffic piled up around a huge bull in the middle of the road.
Eyes like saucers. I really wondered what I had done, but the smell seemed so familiar and so home-like, a long lost home. “I must be mad” was all I could think.
And so my affair with India started…. MADE BY HAND rang through my mind most days- looking at all the new sights. Meeting artisans and poking around in people’s workshops, I felt blessed and so in my element. Make it yourself had always been my mantra.
That first trip I met people like Yaqoob in Udaipur and learnt about tie and dye. We still visit his workshop and now take classes with him or his younger son. Raja was only a young lad in those days. Now he is a married man with kids and makes his father so proud following in the family tradition.
Praveen and I met at this time, he caught my heart and it started loops of traveling away and back again.
Finishing a Masters of Visual Arts, I had the great idea to focus my final exhibition on my experiences in India and in Far West NSW. It held a resonance for me and gave an excuse to return.
Talking to friends at the Newcastle Creative Embroiders, some said they wanted to come with me. They wanted to do like I did, get their hands dirty. Well you could have knocked me over. In fact I was just bending down at the time and did end up on my bum!! Haha.
As a teacher, excursions were my favourite thing, so I thought “How hard could it be?” My travel agent laughed and mumbled something about “Herding cats”
So planning for my first tour started. February 2006 our first tour was on the road.
Firstly, I wanted to take people to meet all the artisans I had met during my travels. To experience visiting their workshops and homes, see the sites and eat the local food. As much of an immersive experience as I could organize.
As an artist I knew I was better off when people bought directly from me rather than through a gallery. I knew people liked to visit and see my studio. It seemed the right way to organize it for my artisan friends as well.
I am a compulsive DO-er, getting my hands dirty was the highlight of my first trip… so a must to include as well.
Local food tells you so much about a place.
I love to cook and for many years explored the world through my kitchen. Long before I could hop on a plane….
These days I see people using the terms Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Tourism and it makes me so happy. That is always how I have planned trips.
I did not realize it would have to become a “thing” one day and others would do so too…. Let’s hope it spreads wide 😊
As a kid I remember the first time I set foot in a library. I had just started school and it was across the road from the pub my father liked to drink in. The library being open until 8.00pm was a blessing because we had to wait in the car until the pub closed at 10.00pm to go home. They had National Geographic on the front stand- it was love at first sight.
The world is such a vast and amazing place and waiting to be explored. I like to read, I am curious and want to know more.
I bought myself a set of Britannica Encyclopaedia’s on Hire Purchase when I was 16, so I might be compulsive…. hmmm.
The ability to Google is a great thing- I know you have to winnow the chaff from the grain. Certainly, research has always needed to be pondered and assessed.
I have always had lists in my mind of places to see….
Life got in the way. First son arrived in my early 20’s and I by 30 I was a single parent with 3 kids. I felt like Lucy Jordan…. thinking I would never see the world.
Weird sometimes a door opens.
You can jump and hope to land well…. Who knows what might happen?
Or you can play safe and let the door close.
I have been extremely blessed.
Yep sure, sometimes it has been a bit tough. The opportunities to connect with people and visit amazing places have made it worthwhile. The best part is being able to share my experiences with others.
Great stuff.
Happy travels
Change is always a part of life; challenging times call upon you to step up and believe in a good outcome and let it open up.
About us…
OK, first there was an unexpected love story….
and a camel. Meet my Baba, Praveen gifted him to me for my birthday in 2010. In India they say camels are for love.
Creative Arts Safaris
grew out of the creative interests and research of Fiona Wright with the support of Praveen Nayak.
Fiona and Praveen love to explore new places , looking for those interesting and special spots.
A hard day in the office is researching tour latest inspiring location- what a day job!
At CAS we use words like passion and enthusiasm often.
Fiona Wright
is an artist who was based in Gresford, rural NSW, Australia, called Pushkar, India home for a long time when Grandma-hood called for her to base in Australia again.
Fiona’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally; she has worked in textiles most of her life and spent a long stint as a Steiner/Waldorf teacher.
Fiona and Praveen share a farm house near Pushkar, India sometimes . Life has changed a little -the day job is operating The Stitching Project via zoom for Fiona. The aim is to create beautiful textile products and as much Fair Paid Local work as they can. Their excuse to run away is to lead a Creative Arts Safari these days.
Kanhaya Lal
[Praveen Nayak to his mates] Praveen hails from the Shekawati area of Rajasthan and now lives in Pushkar.
In his spare time Praveen likes good food – well actually eating and hassling Fiona to cook for him!!
Do
and in doing
Become.
-Sartre
Creative Arts Safaris Tours are fully escorted, small group tours that focus textiles, arts and culture and yummy local cuisine.
On tour we like to get our hands dirty taking workshops, exploring locations and culture, in addition to including lots of local experiences.
Our friendly groups are inclusive. They are companionable and well organized allowing a relaxed adventure and great for solo travellers.
Tours include pickup & drop to airport, accommodation, group travel, sightseeing, workshops, and most meals; almost everything EXCEPT the shopping – that is your job.