Creativity is not only the domain of artists, in general terms it is the creation of ideas or concepts that goes far beyond the borders of one’s imagination. Creative thinking is central in the world of science, and when the right and left side of our neurological system meet, something magical happens. Deep in the land of the Zulu kingdom, tucked away in her cocoon of creativity, lives a woman that goes by many names, but that is locally known as Daniél Ludick, AKA, the Cursed Gypsy. Why cursed you may ask? Well according to Dan “I guess everyone’s cursed in a way, aren’t we all just doomed to live on this planet until we are saved and reach our mortal fate.” But rest assured, It’s not all doom and gloom, this multifaceted individual has got a great sense of humour and is anything but cursed. The name came into being when she started going out with her partner Joggie, whose mother, based on Daniéls enchanting and unique appearance, affectionately gave her the Gypsy title. She draws her inspiration principally from nature and has been painting on commission since the age of 18. Today Dan has emerged as one of South Africa’s only self-taught electroforming artists, a process that entails turning natural and other – organic materials into metal jewellery. Pieces are fabricated through electrodeposition, this process involves passing direct current through a copper anode and a cathode, in this case the piece of jewellery, submerged in an electrolyte containing copper salts and acid which slowly builds up layers of copper onto the cathode over time. One may ponder on how a young painter could carry out such complex, scientific tasks. But let’s just say, pun to later be revealed, that sky’s the limit when it comes to Dan. As she evolved, artistic creation was not her only area of excellence, Daniél also enjoyed her talents in the world of science and mathematics. She thereafter discovered a desire to fly and found herself emerging as an aspiring young pilot. Her application was accepted by the South African air force to take part in an aviation awareness camp when she was only 17. Six months thereafter she was invited with a select few South African “Junior Falcons” for an opportunity to learn the dynamics of flying and air force based life alongside the Royal Air Force Cadets, another six months later she was requested to return to her provincial base camp – this time offering her a senior position, an experience that would forever change the course of her life. As soon as she matriculated, Daniél was determined to persue a career in the South African Airforce, unfortunately she was just a little too light to make the programme, weighing under the required amount for the ejection seat on the training aircraft. So that year she indulged in many takeaways and fast food until she was finally heavy enough for the position, only to find out that she had one too many Big Macs and was now too “overqualified” for the task. This is what one would imagine would have to happen, fortunately for Daniél she has two parents who fully support her in her dreams, and funded her commercial helicopter pilot license. Today Daniél and her mother, Deborah, have gone into business and are the new owners of Zero Four Air School in Margate. Daniél and her father, Hendrik – who is also a commercial helicopter pilot are the founders of Airtrack Aviation, a service provider utilizing both helicopter & fixed wing aircraft in their operations. Their short and scenic helicopter flights are a cost effective way to experience the thrill of aviation and get a glimpse of our beautiful coastal town from above. One can also book an aerial tour of the coastline, magnificent neighbouring gorges or travel into the breath-taking Wild Coast with ‘bring-your-own-basket’ picnic options available. It’s not all just fun and games in the world of the Gypsy, she offers charters to airports and off-airport locations for convenient business or leisure travel, as well as aerial support for various tactical and construction operations. When she’s not up in the sky, she’s making use of her electroforming skills and creating unique and bespoke pieces for her other venture, The Cursed Gypsy. All art pieces can be found on her Instagram page @the_cursed_gypsy, as well as any sale enquiries. Daniél sees each piece created as an extension of herself, and likes to know where they finally find their home. Offering a highly personalized and special shopping experience as all sales are done through the creator directly. In nature we find beauty, and in beauty, nature. Something that we in these urban times are blind to. Thankfully there are still those who bring these creations to life, who illuminate it through their work. Daniél gives great credit to her high school art and science teachers, Beth Rautenbach and Kerry McKillen, and the facilitators of the Durban based Airforce camps who all played a vital role in shaping the individual that Daniél has come to be, on her unique journey of painting the sky. A great sense of optimism can be found artistic creation. A world crafted by our own kind, a place in which we cannot exist, but gaze into, and make our own.
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