The Tribune

By Gardener Jack They sat quietly in their little nook of the classroom, a short distance away from the rest of the class. The apparent distance did not dampen their quest to take hold of the new techniques that were being shared. For Philip and Portia Kemp craft was not just a hobby but fast becoming their passion and second career. When either of them could not grasp a concept, they coached and encouraged each other until there was an "aha" moment. If satisfaction and joy of painting were honey, the Kemps would have created a pool of the sweet stuff all around their table. After the basics were mastered, the Kemps embarked on projects which would not be recommended for the faint of heart. The beauty of their work came from their desire to integrate their newly found skill with their shell, straw and coconut craft. From straw bags to elaborate hand crafted coconut mugs and shells that have been masterfully arranged, the Kemps managed to add their unique flair with a touch of paint using the simple texture painting techniques. It was clear that Philip was the ideas man and according to Portia, a perfectionist, who had taken the position of quality control manager in their budding business. By day Portia Kemp is a music teacher, by night a seamstress. During the class Mrs Kemp realized that her fear of painting had disappeared. She was now relaxed and free to create wall hangings incorporating weathered materials found on the beach as well as trying her hand at scenic paintings with her unique twist. One thing was certain with this couple working together; it was the power of teamwork that yielded productive results. By being in agreement and working together they not only encouraged each other, but worked hard to refine their products. The outcome was amazing handicrafts. While the Kemps work from their home studio in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, they have been contracted to create a number of products which include straw bags. A few of their products have made their way to Dubai, and there is now a demand to produce theirs craft for export all the way to the Middle East. Of all the craft options, Mr Kemp believes that painting his creations with texture is at the top of his "favorites" list. About the Author: Teri M. Bethel is a surface designer who specializes in teaching how to create textured painted fabrics & custom purses. Teri has been involved in manufacturing painted garments, handbags and souvenirs for over two decades. She is the designer of Teri Monique Handbags, a line of custom art purses for ladies. Email Teri@PaintWithTexture.com for more information.