Small elephant painting heading to its new home in Switzerland. Thrilled with the internet sale at this time of limited tourism. Walk up the first part of the Buffalo trail above Belvedere. Hot out, as there is little shade. Prince came back with a gazzilion ticks, so we bathed him in a soothing herbal shampoo to settle his irritated skin and get rid of
Small seascape studies for a Commissioned work, to get the composition right and the basic palette. The boiling sea foam difficult at such small scale. A tonal study in grey. Pushed the wave detail and the sky too far. Cobalt Blue and Burnt Sienna for the grey mix, with a Cobalt Blue and Venice Red an alternate grey. For the sea, I used Green
Thatcher Oil on canvas 60cmx50cm Pula! Rain to start the New Year. I painted this thatcher of our compound during a different lock-down, while I was on Mission with the United Nations in Juba South Sudan, at the start of the civil war in January 2014. We spent, a perfect summer Christmas Day, with a group of ‘foody’ friends and the four Chef’s ensured that we enjoyed
‘Horsing Around’, one of my paintings from Nieu Bethesda Sold and heading to its new home at the Bangladesh Ambassador. Gorgeous summer day, with a touch of rain before the sun turned the estuary into hues of brilliant colour. Fabulous display of summer flowers on the walk around Leisure Island. Heat, the arch enemy of chocolate and keeping the studio cool the new challenge heading
‘MM’ oil on canvas 50cmx60cm, my study of Manet’s painting ‘Before the mirror’, which he painted in 1846, has been included in the SCAVA “Old Masters” exhibition that will open on the 17th November. Mist hanging low over the mountains made for a pretty, if a tad nervy ride. Zero visibility with my glasses coated in mist. Followed Craig’s bright socks hoping that he
Forest Oil on canvas 90cmx120cm Special Recognition for ‘Art of Outstanding Quality’ at the 10th Annual International Landscapes Exhibition. Chosen from 740 entries and 27 different countries around the world. The Forests, bursting with spring flowers. Yellow, purple and white blossoms. I wanted that slightly misty, ethereal quality to my painting. Summer lightness, and brilliance. Without being insipid. That touch of Paul Cézanne, yellow and turquoise. White-on-White. Preliminary
Sketching with oil paint, small cheetah cub paintings. In a world. Far, far, away. I spent hours in a gallery admiring the paintings of Errol Boyle. Fortunate enough to be guided by him through his studio, and gallery. An experience, no less, inspirational than Van Gogh in Zurich, Monet In New York City, or Kandinsky in St Petersburg. Unbelievably special to see one
Thrilled that my commissioned portrait ‘Deurmekaar Weskus’ has been selected for the 6th International Faces and Figures Exhibition, from 601 entries. The sides of the portrait sorted. Load shedding darkness. Milky Way striking. Firefly, fishing boats out on the estuary. Perfect, pork-belly on the Kamado Jan. MTB ride through Gouna Pass to the Italian church. Mist tendrils amongst the Forest, carrying secrets of
Terry’s terrine de campagne, cold-smoked salmon, green salad with pine-nuts, sweated peppers, tartiflette, pork rashers and boerie the tapas-style birthday dinner. The Fairview Carignan and Tannât were perfect pairings. The Palatinus, outstanding! Salmon, grapefruit, avo, radish and creme fresh The ‘black’ in my portrait ‘Wild Thing’ a mix of Lefranc Burnt Umber and Windser and Newton French Ultramarine. Searching for the essence, within the facial
Two of the small cheetah paintings handed over to their new homes, and another one finished. My shoulder trashed. Seven passes ride, the section to the bike-park and back. Stunning through the Forest. Or the bits I could see through sweat stained glasses. Core muscles strained over the corrugated trail. Which, the storm and howling winds, danced over. Still, an opportunity to try another of