A painting I did in Afghanistan, of boys walking down the street outside our house. (Street 5, House No 77, Apartment 2, Ansari Watte, Shari-e-Now District) ‘Kabul Balloons’, oil on canvas board 36cmx46cm received a Special Recognition for ‘Outstanding Art’, at the ‘555’ Special Art Exhibition. Selected from 1,437 entries from 31 different countries. The towers in my painting of Central Park, are the
While we adjust to the increased Lockdown, the sea thunders with the onset of the latest storms. Grateful for our fire! And that extra glass of red wine. Stretching canvas, not my best. However, with a bit of effort, I have a new canvas waiting. During my time in New York City, I admired the artists painting various aspects of Central Park, without the confidence
ArcherOil on canvas 20cmx30cmCommissioned work, alongside the ‘Fly Fisherman’. Fragmented strokes to create a sense of volume, while minimizing detail and focusing on the poise and strength of the archer. Core muscles pounded to mush on the Buffs trail ride. While not technical, still demanding through soft sand and the ride along the railway line section. Spectacular it is, Early sunshine on the breaking
Fly Fisherman Oil on canvas 20cmx30cm I used a light application of translucent Raw Sienna (Winsor&Newton) to add depth to the water, before adding the light ripples to complete the painting. Rillettes de Canard. Delicious. Served with Steenberg MCC, and Pinot Noir. Perfect. Rillettes (Ree-Etts) in which seasoned cooked meat, or fish, is shredded and combined with fat into a soft pate. Served at room temperature, spread
‘Archer’, a companion painting to ‘Fly Fisherman’. I used the same Naples Yellow underpainting and the grey mixture of Cobalt Blue and Burnt Sienna. However, the painting approach and feel for the painting is very different. Beach walk on a stunning, sun-filled day. J9 for Coreta’s Marsala braaied chops, served with a touch of boerie, curried cauliflower, creamed spinach and oodles of green salad. After
Forest Walk Oil on canvas 120cmx90cm Circles-in-the-Forest walk. The perfect antidote to hospital. The hum, slither and manipulation of electronics that turn the body into a series of dark and light. Abstract tracts of wood worm on an ancient tree, leasing to the vault of blue. A touch of rain, magical. The world asleep under its grey blanket, lulled by the waves breaking on the beach.
Kite Runner Oil on canvas 60cmx50cm From my Afghanistan Series Pallet knife scraping away the mush of paint, as I wrestle with the portrait on the easel. Slowly evolving out of my incompetence. Shaking hands adding their own complexity to the painting.Kind of heading to the geriatric FKT’s on our usual running and cycling routes. Relieved that limb, or mechanical breakdown, are balanced by the joy
J9 afternoon. Salmon, crunchy Asian salad, fried capers and crustless tomato tart. Fabulous wines, with the Delair Graff Cab Franc Rose in the sunshine, special. Although, the last touch of Raats Cab Franc was deliciousness. My portrait painting. Agonizing. Proportions not working. The idea of the painting. In my head. Bogged down. In detail. Rather than fluid strokes of, perhaps. Different. Endless possibilities.
Great exhibition ‘United Emergence’ by the Knysna Arts Society for Freedom Day. A good selection of art, across a diverse spectrum. Beach walk (dog play) on a wind free morning. Courgette bilinis topped with cream cheese and sweet peppers. Grilled chicken breast, anchovy dressing Caesar salad with hot smoked salmon. The Peter Goff Wood’s recipe for chicken and leak pie filling sensational. A small artwork
‘Lotus’ 150cmx200cm Acrylic and recycled plastic water bottle butterflies on canvas 150cmx200cm Drawing inspiration from the Abstract Impressionist painter, Joan Mitchell and the painting I did of Lotus flowers in Hanoi, Vietnam. Joan Mitchell’s work, Abstract Expressionist and Action painters. Rooted in her emotional response to nature through memories, orchestrating her paintings in energy, mood and emotion. Collisions of colour that are exuberant against the natural,