‘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
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