No one would have guessed that the homeless man who entered the Grocott's building not too long ago, toting two gigantic check bags, was an artist.
He introduced himself as Mvuselelo Bosman from Bloemfontein, and said that he was apt at drawing portraits, creating sculptures and good with oil paints.
Curious to investigate these claims, the news editor called in intern Nwabisa Ngumbela, and requested that the artist draw a sketch of her on the spot. Armed with just one pencil and a stack of papers that had writing printed on one side already, he began sketching with the verve and enthusiasm of a mad man.
No one would have guessed that the homeless man who entered the Grocott's building not too long ago, toting two gigantic check bags, was an artist.
He introduced himself as Mvuselelo Bosman from Bloemfontein, and said that he was apt at drawing portraits, creating sculptures and good with oil paints.
Curious to investigate these claims, the news editor called in intern Nwabisa Ngumbela, and requested that the artist draw a sketch of her on the spot. Armed with just one pencil and a stack of papers that had writing printed on one side already, he began sketching with the verve and enthusiasm of a mad man.
People who had come to Grocott's on other business couldn't resist taking a peek at what Bosman was doing, and many couldn't stop singing praises for his awe-inspiring work.
So much so that some even went out to call their friends to witness this rare and startling sight of a homeless man working wonders with his hands.
Seeing his talents prompted someone at the newspaper to give him a picture of former citizen journalism editor, Kwanele Butana, to draw.
He went to work with a set of colour pencils and an A2 sheet of paper, and equipped with these tools he started sketching, oblivious to his surroundings.
After completing his commissioned work Bosman was paid R70, to which he responded, "I am ecstatic to be paid so much. Usually people give me R5 or R10 for my work, at times I don't get paid at all," he said.
CREATIVE TALENT… Homeless artist, Mvuselelo Bosman, created a bit of a stir when he walked into Grocott's Mail to show off his talents. Here he does a portrait of former citizen journalism editor, Kwanele Butana, using an array of pencil crayons. Photo: Tracey Turner
CREATIVE TALENT… Homeless artist, Mvuselelo Bosman, created a bit of a stir when he walked into Grocott's Mail to show off his talents. Here he does a portrait of former citizen journalism editor, Kwanele Butana, using an array of pencil crayons. Photo: Tracey Turner
