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
Special Recognition Award for ‘Outstanding Art’ at the 10th International ‘Animals’ Art Exhibition, selected from 1,040 entries from 32 countries. Mist through the Forest on Kom-se-Pad ride. Privileged. Spectacular. That tad bit of drama, managing my blood sugars on the long ride and over a 1,000 meters of climbing. Getting better at listening to when my body is fatigued and crashing. Woolies low-carb seed
My commissioned painting ‘Etosha’ received a Special Recognition Award for art of ‘Outstanding Quality’ at the International 10th Anniversary Exhibition. Selected from 2,249 entries and 34 countries. While I’m thrilled to benchmark my work by an international jury, it’s nothing like seeing a child enthralled by a painting in which he is a subject. Adam, and the painting ‘Children in the rain’, which
‘Brothers’ Acrylic on canvas 150cmx150cm Suddenly. It’s done. Gentle. Powerful. Alive. Ear of the cheetah cub needed sorting. Fortunately, it’s a matter of painting it out and starting again. A tad too much detail, for my concept of sketching, while on safari? Turquoise and Pink around the eye, the sparkle. For now, my stressed calf seems to have settled. While, unbelievably chilly for this part of the
The painting of the Cheetah Cubs at that point, where, that touch of magic. If. I’m brave enough. To let it happen. Disaster avoided, as howling winds tossed the shopping bag, containing eggs, as I tried - unsuccessful - to navigate a walk between storm squalls. Wet. Bedraggled. The Forest a jumble of fallen trees. Ancient yellow-wood tree standing tall amongst the carnage. The
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
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
‘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,
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