The Art of It

    As soon as this painting has been varnished it will be off to its new happy home. 600x460mm Oil on stretched canvas

You are invited to the Opening of the Constantiaberg Art Society's SPRING EXHIBITION on FRIDAY 25TH AUGUST 2017 at​ 18h30 At the Richard Crowie Lecture Hall Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. T​he Exhibition will be opened by LESLEY CHARNOCK, Renowned local artist and teacher.  Wine and snacks will be served. The Exhibition will be open from 9h30 to 17h30 daily Friday 25th August - Thursday 7th September 2017. This invitation allows 2 guests free entry into Kirstenbosch Gardens after 17h30 for the Opening only

I am having such fun.  Many thanks to my daughter, Tracey, for all the modeling! Simply Crimson - oil on canvas

2012 is my year of creativity and learning.  I have been out of the blogging world for 5 months now all because I have been working very hard! Still life is not my favourite subject matter, but I started classes with Natalie Hirschman at the beginning of this year and this was our first class subject. I am learning so much and changing so fast it is mind blowing. I love it.

Constantiaberg Art Society is holding an exhibition in the Sanlam Hall, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens from 16 January to 25 January 0900 to 1730 every day. Entry into the exhibition is free and on Tuesdays entry in to the Gardens is free for Pensioners.  Members will be exhibiting some wonderful art at very reasonable prices.

The first of two Members Exhibitions was opened on Saturday 28 May at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Town.  This exhibition runs until Monday 6 June 2011. I entered one of my en plein air paintings done at a private home at Marina de Gama. The whole painting was done on site, I didn't touch it at home in case I messed it up.  I hope I have conveyed the tranquility of this beautiful venue.  What a place to retire to!

This was painted on one of those extremely exciting days of painting in the field.  Some days everything just works!

I have been very brave and highly stimulated attending an online workshop run by   Johannes Vloothuis backed by Wetcanvas.   https://www1.gotomeeting.com/ register This free workshop starts at 10pm SA time and it actually keeps me wide awake!  I eventually fall into bed at about 12.45 and sleep on all the invaluable information I have received. I have been having a good look at past paintings and I have now adjusted this one.  The trees behind the chimney do not exist and the embankment doesn't quite look like that but that is what art is all about!  I think it looks a lot better!

Last year we spent many weeks painting on Signal Hill. This was another small painting done from a short way along the path leading off the car park.  I have also done a larger variation of this view which I will post at a later date.

During the cold winter months we painted at Oudekraal.  What a magnificent venue, so quiet and peaceful but oh so freezing.  I don't know where summer has gone to as it is still freezing!

I loved painting this portrait.  It was taken from a photo shoot I did at the beginning of the year but inspiration I think, took it into a different realm.  Strangely the lady did not like it.  Her loss, my gain I think.

This painting was done on one of our outings to Signal Hill on a beautiful misty morning.

This was painted on one of our mornings at Signal Hill.  The mist was roaring in from the sea, ahead and to the right and Table Mountain is on the left.

This painting was a commissioned artwork which thankfully the parents loved.  I thoroughly enjoyed painting it and am happy with the finished product.

Yesterday was another hanging day at Kirstenbosch!  Constantiaberg Art Society is growing in leaps and bounds as this latest echibition shows.  Some beautiful work!  Well done all and good luck - may there be many sales!!! Visions in the Mist 1                                                    Visions in the Mist 2

These trees sit on the ridge of Wynberg Hill. I have never established whether they are planted on open land or in someones garden, but they look spectacular from accross the valley.

The last few "quickies" from Cheval Voyeur Farm. This was a quick oil while there was still quite a lot of water around. A charcoal sketch done while hiding in the bushes trying to keep out of the sun!

The Courtyard Hotel was the venue for our painting out in the open for a while. The painting of Deveils Peak was painted at the same location. I need more practice with buildings! We are painting in the Company Gardens at the moment and I am getting lots of practice in. Strange how the window is not centred in this building, but that is the way it is.