Painting demonstration, streamed live, a fantastic opportunity to be part of the Virtual Knysna Oyster Festival, with an estimated audience of 450,000 on various social media platforms. The cheetah cubs painting coming alive during the process of smearing paint about. 100 days of lock-down, 10km run. Probably not the cleverest idea to head out on Knysna Forest Marathon day. Even if I kept to
Cheetah painting taking shape. Working hard to keep the ‘sketch’ feel to the painting as my concept for the work is an artist working while out on safari. This of course, a tad different in the 1,5mx1,5m canvas! A few niggles to sort from the first Virtual Oyster Festival live-streaming painting demonstration from the studio. Hopefully sorted for the next session. Still, a most
I am honoured to be part of the wonderful Knysna Oyster Festival, which is a virtual Festival this year. The organisers at Visit Knysna were determined not to let the current Covid-19 crisis put a stop to this annual celebration so have put together an exciting programme of online events from 27 June until 4 July. My session Theatre of Paint Live Stream, is
Thrilled that my painting ‘Kids in the rain’, is heading to its new home in Sweden Simona. Legs pounded. Calf muscle screaming. That decent, which has us searching for help when cycling up its slopes. Reconnaissance of the last 13km of the Knysna Oyster half marathon run, with the fabulous Forest section. Last few glitches sorted for the live streaming test for the studio
Fortuitous that our Leisure Isle run coincided with the Comrades Marathon Legends virtual route. Which meant we had runners and spectators cheering us along. While my Comrades Marathon run was some 25 years ago, it’s 90km camaraderie, still remarkable. I’m on the far right! Large canvases arrived. The Cheetah Cubs painting the immediate excitement. However, the painting of the kids in Khartoum, needing attention. The rich
‘Rain Day’, 60cmx50cm. Khartoum, Sudan. Children reveling in the uniqueness of a rain shower. I wanted to capture the happiness of celebrating the small stuff. Particularly at this time of disquiet and upheaval. The acrylic for the dark background, frustrating. Dull and lifeless. My worst! Shoulder trashed slicing chocolate for a Tarte au Chocolat, https://janraats.com/tarte-au-chocolat/ something I haven’t done since I smashed my collar-bone. The texture,
‘Cheetah Cubs‘ Acrylic on canvas 70cmx70cm An unusual mix of Naples Green Yellow, Yellow Ocher, And Raw Sienna for the fur. With a touch of Magenta for the ‘dirty’ spots. A continuous process of rubbing out detail, except for the one eye, giving the composition focus. Now for the larger canvas! Strange to have the Studio open again. The revamped website operational. Responsive. Clean. Functional. With
Incredible to receive a Special Recognition Award for ‘Excellence in Art’, ‘Hold the Open Heart’, Created in Isolation Art Exhibition. Erica’s, sensational in the sunrise as we hammered along the Ridge Road. Tai Chi, silhouettes. Fascinating. Unexpected. Friendly faces in an unfamiliar part of our town. Biscotti, that end of day indulgence. Keto, for my wildly fluctuating blood sugars. The charts, off the scale. Yellow Ochre
Terry's sister Jenny. After a massive stroke. Has passed on. Unfathonable. And so it begins. Canvas stretched on an old frame for the study of Cheetah cubs from a photo by Hirsch (https://www.gravelroadadventures.co.za/). I’m leaving a 45cm border, and will use acrylic paints, so the painting can be stretched properly once it’s done. That will also take care of all small tear in the canvas.
Thrilled that my painting ‘Hold the Open Heart’ was selected as a Finalist, from 1,356 entries at the international online ‘Art in Isolation’ Exhibition. A special painting at this crazy time. Heading out for my run, with the sounds of the pounding sea. Mouthwatering smell of freshly baked bread across the town as more places open. Sadly, not for me. Final assignment submitted for the