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
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
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.
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
‘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
'Etosha Study’, painted as a demonstration at the Greyton Art Walk, on a wet summers day. Thrilled with the ostriches that are full of movement and simplicity. Boulilli de boeuf. A variation on the beef short-rub, served with a spoonful of sauce vert. Despite being packed with flavour and impossibly rich, a tad underwhelming. Strawberry Fields from Graceland, mouth watering. The aubergine tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh
Builders, and my shoulder being out of action, turned the patio garden into a sad, neglected, forlorn bunch of pots. Water pond cleaned out. Jasmine balls pruned into shape. Old plants replaced with new herbs. Transformed. Rowing Boat Acrylic on canvas 20cmx20cm In the studio, a canvas for the larger painting of irises and foxgloves. A peach colour underpainting of Indian Yellow and Quinacrine Rose, with
'On the estuary’ 50cmx60cm A small painting of a yacht on the estuary. The reflections in the water the focus of the painting. However, the multiple folds of the sails, entrancing. I used an underpainting of Naples yellow, with an initial painting in acrylics, before finishing the painting in oil. A different perspective walking through town at the start of the day to start my stint
A Precious Life Oil on canvas 50cmx50cm In the stormy, chilly weather. My smashed clavicle aches. As do my diabetic toes. Yet, this seems trivial. Compared, to the unfathomable, concept. Reality. That my sister Is gone. From, this world. Impossible. The paintings from Pringle Bay are back after being put onto stretchers. Grouped together, they create a wall of tumbling energy. Radiating heat from sun warmed
'Surfers in the sky' Oil on canvas 60cmx90vm Delicate, quick strokes, ethereal, sensitive. My painting for the Sanlam Portrait submission. An emotional journey. The estuary is still, a reflecting pond for the lights of the town as evening settles into the mist that promises another warm autumn day. A last glass of Shiraz rescued, while the dishwasher hums. The collection of empty wine bottles consigned to the