First Everest Expedition
March 2005
In March 2005 Tony Foster, with a group of friends, travelled in the Everest Region in order to make paintings of the world's highest mountain. On a journey lasting four weeks he hiked to a high point (17,500 feet) above Gokyo.
The logistics of getting one man and his painting gear into such a wilderness are formidable. Porters cheerfully carry up to 60 lbs at very high altitudes, yet have enough breath left to keep up a stream of chatter and jokes.
Please click on smaller images for enlargement (and vice-versa)
Three porters on the way up to Gokyo
Photograph copyright © 2005 Mike Nathan
Tony Foster working on a small painting above Namche Bazaar, aided by Ang Phuri Sherpa and assistant.
Above Namche Bazaar - Tony aided by Ang Phuri Sherpa and assistant
Photograph copyright © 2005 Mike Nathan
Here is the finished painting 'From Above Namche Bazaar looking NE to Lhotse and Everest 2005'. Though completed you can still see, top left and right, where the clips held the paper to the drawing board.
BS12 From Above Namche Bazaar · 11748' / 3560m
Looking North East to Nuptse, Lhotse and Everest · 2005
12" x 16" / 2½" x 8" pencil and watercolour on paper
map / prayer flag / mani stone / pebble
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
BS13 From Luza · 14544' / 4433m
Looking South East to Kang Taiga and Tramserku · 2005
12" x 16" / 2½" x 8" pencil and watercolour on paper
map / prayer flag / mani stone / pebble
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Mike Nathan, Ang Phuri Sherpa and porters resting on their way to the painting site.
Mike Nathan, Ang Phuri Sherpa and porters hiking to the painting site
Photograph copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Finished painting - Everest from Gokyo Ri 2005.
BS14 From Gokyo Ri · 17365' / 5280m
Looking 85°East to Everest · 2005
12" x 16" / 2½" x 8" pencil and watercolour on paper
map / prayer flag / mani stone / pebble
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Tony at work above Gokyo. Note the construction of Tony's drawing board, two thin layers of plywood, one perforated to reduce weight. Tony is rightly fanatical about weight reduction - he cuts the handle off his mug and drills holes in the handle of his toothbrush! Note also that the support for his drawing board is improvised so that nothing extra needs to be carried for that, though the folding stool is essential.
Tony at work above Gokyo
Photograph copyright © 2005 Mike Nathan
Above Gokyo at altitude 17,500'. What is an appropriate response to such desolation, such grandeur? Yet this is what Tony came to paint. Be sure to look at the enlargement and imagine confronting the scene with a piece of paper 6' x 3', a tiny paint box and paint water made from snow melted with gin.
Tony with unfinished 6' painting of Everest from Ngozumba above Gokyo (17,500')
Photograph copyright © 2005 Mike Nathan
The same painting back in the Tony Foster's studio awaiting completion.
BS15 Looking East through Changri La to Everest from above Ngozumpa
Four Days at 17600' / 5370m · 2005
Unfinished Painting 6' x 3'
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Many weeks later - Tony Foster in his studio with the painting substantially completed.
BS15 Looking East through Changri La to Everest from above Ngozumpa
Four Days at 17600' / 5370m · 2005 · 36" x 72"
pencil and watercolour on paper
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Still later - the painting with artifacts added ready for framing.
BS15 Looking East through Changri La to Everest from above Ngozumpa
Four Days at 17600' / 5370m · 2005 · 36" x 72" / 4" x 72"
pencil and watercolour on paper
kata / map / terracotta relic
Artwork copyright © 2005 Tony Foster
Here is the entire group (who dubbed themselves Team Rag Bag in response to the uniformed Team Honda who were attempting to summit this season) at the end of the trek.
Team Rag Bag at the end of the trek
Photograph copyright © 2005 Mike Nathan
|
