The Tale of Clive the Lonely Llama (or what I did during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic)

Who knew that when 2020 started that I would find myself creating a story in pictures about a llama? I think we have all found ourselves surprised this year (also horrified, scared, anxious, uncertain, and yet brave, inspired, and compassionate, and amazed that we, as a planet, are suddenly aware of our global community all in this together. Life. Go figure)

But back in the distant days of February I was working on some small 5" x 7" abstract paintings, as exercises for possible larger versions. Sort of like this:

One of them was looking rather bland and going nowhere after I put some tiny rectangles of colour across the top. So, on a whim I painted a green rectangle and it became an odd little house, which needed a stone wall, which suddenly needed a llama. A llama specifically named Clive (perhaps his owner was an Anglophile, or had a long ago love affair with a British gent of the same name). It was just a one off amusement. But Clive was alone in his landscape.

                                             I couldn't just leave him there so: Hello!

And so a story begins. Paloma and Gustavo want to take Clive on an adventure.

Night falls and it's time for a rest but Clive isn't sleepy yet and the world is big. It's a long way but where are they going? (At this point even I didn't know. I just let them lead me on).

Up in the mountains a village comes into view.

  

They are being watched.

Clive tries out the local produce.

The three friends make it to the top of the world.

Fernando and Esther watch them depart back down the mountain.

Another night camping out. Look who came along.

Back over the bridge. Still just as high. This time they are watched by Monty (Montague III)

Almost home. Atahualpa's rock nap has been disturbed by all the foot traffic.

And finally, there are a few surprises in store all around. Here comes Senora Paola with Brigitte.

(but wait, we have seen Brigitte before ;-))

The End

The full set.

And Clive's Facebook portrait.

I hope you have enjoyed this story.

Some fun research topics.

1) Peru and the Andes

2) Who is Atahualpa?

3) Monty Python and llamas

4) Fernando Lamas and Esther Williams 

5) Llamas in costumes

6) Abstract Expressionism

7) the books of Tomie de Paola