As Victoria Carr aptly puts it, “Life is like an onion; it’s made up of many layers.” Peeling back those layers in husband Tony Carr’s life reveals a fascinating evolution: an Oxford illustrator, a cruise ship casino manager, a hurricane survivor and an acupuncturist. It is this rich, unpredictable journey alongside his love of watersports and surfing that has ultimately led the couple to the warm beaches of the Algarve, where Toby has returned to his first love of fine art, capturing the raw beauty of the sea.
We are today the result of all our yesterdays
Toby’s artistic talent earned him a place at the Falmouth School of Art in England some thirty years ago, and after graduation he was employed by Oxford University Press as a book illustrator, later becoming a designer for video games, television and movies. Before long, the travelling bug hit him and he landed a job on a cruise ship as a casino manager and travelled the oceans of the world to obscure destinations in Indonesia and civilised Caribbean locales like Bermuda. He met Victoria, a spa manager on the ship, and they travelled the world together.
On the ship, the couple were sometimes asked to be organisers/chaperones on shoreside excursions. They have some fabulous tales about these days. One such excursion to a remote corner of Sulawesi involved the gruesome public killing of a wild boar or water buffalo. The religious ritual would ensure that the spirits of these animals would accompany a deceased person on their journey to the afterlife. “The ship’s passengers were often disgusted by the whole ceremony, but a talking point of a lifetime had been established.”
Another adventure took place on board the ship when it encountered Hurricane Lily in 1996, a dangerous category three storm that developed off Central America and travelled close to Bermuda. The hurricane churned in the Atlantic Ocean for days and created up to 80-foot waves. “It was both frightening and awesome at the same time. We berthed in Bermuda for several days, much longer than anticipated.”
Toby and Victoria tied the knot in 2000 and moved to Vancouver, Canada. Here, Victoria started a Wellness Centre complete with massage therapy and a spa. Toby got work as a special effects designer with an emphasis on 3D digital creations. In their spare time, they took up sailing, first on a 26-foot Cal and later on a 30-footer for more comfort for weekends aboard. There were many offshore islands close to their homestead. One weekend, they were anchored alone in a sheltered cove with no other boats when an ominous apparition appeared on shore. On closer examination, it was seen to be a gigantic bear – and it wasn’t happy, growling and gesturing. The irate creature was just a stone’s throw away, but what to do? They both realised that bears could swim, but darkness was approaching; it was too late to hoist anchor and leave. A sleepless night followed.
Whether the hurricane incident, the death ritual, or the bear story had any ‘bearing’ (sorry) on the events that followed is not known, but Toby decided he needed to pursue a life for ‘the greater good’. He took a course in Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and became a qualified practitioner. Then he joined Victoria at her Wellness Centre, providing therapy and orthopaedic treatment.
One of Toby’s pastimes is watersports, both surfing and windsurfing, which he is passionate about. The warm climate, beautiful beaches and Portugal’s lifestyle were all influences that encouraged their move to the Algarve in 2018.
A chance meeting between Toby and the owner of Lagos’ premier frame shop, Mario Ferreira, led to an exhibition of the artist’s work at his Moldopoli Gallery. It was a 1.5-metre by 2-metre painting purchased by a happy customer that brought gallery owner Mario and Toby Carr together as they collaborated on a suitable frame. This symbiotic relationship resulted in an opening-night celebration of art in early June, complete with a light buffet and the dulcet tones of a harp.
I recently visited the gallery and Mario explained that he has had the business for three years and is ably assisted by shop manager Dolores, who has been a picture framer for 23 years. They plan to hold more exhibitions in the future, with artists and framers making perfect combinations. Toby’s art is effectively displayed on three well-lit walls and will remain on view until September.
Toby’s art now takes centre stage, although the couple also operate a mobile spa service that goes to homes, hotels and residences. Toby’s art is inspired by his photography. On his frequent visits to the beach, he carries two cameras: an underwater GoPro and a Canon SLR. Back in his studio, he produces black-and-white charcoal drawings and oil-on-canvas paintings. Seascapes are the artist’s forte and his most popular and prolific creations.
In addition, the artist produces time-lapse videos available to watch on YouTube. They include tutorials on using charcoal, techniques and the necessary brushes. There is a sequence in an oil painting too. Toby also offers portraits in oil or charcoal.
Now that the exhibition is in full swing, it is hoped that two successful stories will continue on to even greater achievements.
Instagram @toby_carr_fine_art
Main photo: Toby and Victoria in the Moldopoli Gallery
