After receiving another Nguni painting order a few months ago, I was determined to find a new herd to use for this composition. Although I have loads of pictures of Ngunis from various sources, and Nguni stud books going back almost 10 years; the animals in all the various sketches I made, did not relate to each other. This sounds like an insignificant detail. But in order to throw a good measure of life and enthusiasm into the painting, I felt the need to find a fresh new herd. I subsequently heard about a renowned Nguni breeder not far away on the farm ‘Gelykfontein’ between Venterstad and Colesburg.
When John and I paid him a visit, we were totally captivated by all the wonderful Ngunis that we saw and photographed. As a result there were loads of inspiring photos available for this composition.
I then went ahead enthusiastically, and printed up a small batch of photos to start with some new sketches; but as often happens when things go so well, my computer crashed and all my photos were trapped and inaccessible!
The computer went off to Johannesburg for repairs etc, and I was left with only that initial batch of photos that had been printed. How fortunate that I had those at least; and it was enough to get going and build up a satisfactory composition, and at least I had the fresh inspiration in my mind to launch into the project.
Karoo landscape with Ngunis. Oil on canvas. 1250 x 900 mm.
I naturally enjoyed using a karoo landscape and background for this painting as it is the countryside we live in, and love ; and the cattle seemed quite at home where they were placed in the scene. Getting the composition right, is always challenging, with considerations like the direction of the light and the way the eye travels in and on towards the distance. There were several times when I wished I had access to all those other lovely photos on my computer (still in Johannesburg). However, it is amazing that it worked out quite adequately in the end, and I have a faithful Lord to thank for that.
African Hoopoes. Pen & Ink and wash. 500 x 320 mm.
Killing time while I wait to start my next big Nguni, I decided to do something different, Hoopoes. We have a pair of African Hoopoes in our garden; so there are several perfect photo opportunities. I do want to do a proper painting again, ( I did one many years ago) but decided to just do some rough sketching for now. This afternoon we are going to photograph an Nguni Stud, at Gelyksfontein, on the road to Colesburg.
Sometimes a painting can be a useful and meaningful gift. So, a week ago I popped in to the farm Fieldmoor to take some photos. The farm has been sold, and Kenny and Margie are now starting a new life in East London, nearer to the rest of their family. As the Philip family of Silvermere, and the Field family, have been good friends for several generations, this seemed an appropriate farewell gesture. Leaving ones family home is always heart wrenching, so now they have a little reminder to bring back the fond memories.
‘Fieldmoor’ farm Composite. Watercolour & Pen & ink. 700 x 500 mm
Road over the ridge. Watercolour and pen & ink. 370 x 280 mm.
During John’s recent visit to the farm, we went out sketching on a few occasions. However, I was understandably distracted by my new grand-daughter, Chloë !
John spent more time on his plein-air studies, all of which they turned out really well. For those who can access our Facebook page, they can be seen here: http://www.facebook.com/africanpainting?sk=wall
Shed and stable sketch. Watercolour. 370 x 280 mm. Through the gate sketch. Watercolour. 370 x 280 mm
I was honoured to be asked to contribute one of my karoo paintings to be used as a backdrop on one of the 4 floral displays that made up the South African Chelsea Flower Show Exhibit. Here is the painting used, and the link to the article that shows the karoo side of the display. See the newspaper article here. This is the featured painting.
Exactly 5 years ago to the day, we took a trip across the karoo from Beaufort West to Fraserberg, Calvinia, Loeriesfontein, Springbok, Pofadder, Koupan, Prieska and Philippolis .
While we were visiting Poffadder, we took a couple of trips down towards the Orange River to Pella and Ontseepkans. On one of these trips we passed this scene of a herdsman bringing his cattle home. It was evening, and the soft glow as the sun went down, shone through the dust and that striking scene has been imprinted on my mind ever since.
So I have been on a quest to replicate it as I remember.
It may have taken me 5 years to get around to it, but I am glad that the urge has been satisfied at last.
Nguni Herd Returning Home. Oil on Canvas. 1500 x 740 mm.
Some renovations in the house and various other distractions have meant that I haven’t painted for a while. But, when I was researching the Doublebanded Sandgrouse for a future order, I came across this captivating leopard. So, here she is, so striking against the red sand of the Kalahari.
Kalahari Leopard. Gouache & watercolour on terracotta paper. 470 x 285 mm.
Those of you who have followed my Blog from the beginning may remember the 20th January 2009 post entitled, “All the way my Saviour Leads Me” ; well that post referred to one of the pages from this project that has now come to an end. In 1992, after being named as Amy’s Godmother, I decided to send her a poem every year on her birthday, starting at age one. I tried to choose poetry that was either fun or inspirational, and ultimately to support her growing faith. I wrote all of them with my normal italic nibbed fountain pen. Sometimes they included illustrations and all were done on watercolour paper that measured 320 x 210 mm in size. Three of the poems were too long for one page, so they were continued on the reverse. Here below are most of them, all except the last 2 which were more personal in nature. The last one was mailed to her for her 20th birthday, and this year she turned 21. For this special occasion, the pages were all returned to me for them to be bound into a book. I made the cover this weekend and will be posting it off to her soon. It is not a professionally bound book, and has many of the hallmarks of a very home-made effort; however there is a whole lot of love bound in to its imperfect simplicity.
I quite realize that these pages are hard to read with the reduced size and dpi, necessary for posting on this page. If, however anyone would like a better copy of a particular page, please send me an email and specify which one you would like. I will gladly forward it to you. Send your request to : silvermere@gmail.com
I don’t often paint eland, so with a recent order I felt the need to do some drawings before the final painting. It was quite an enjoyable exercise.
Pencil drawing of an Eland's head. 290 x 210 mm.Eland sketch. Pen & Pencil crayons. 290 x 210 mm.Four Eland. Pen & wash sketch. 360mm x 280 mm.Kruger's Kop with 3 Eland. Watercolour. 520 x 350 mm.
Now for some light relief from the stresses of the Challenge. I little drawing and painting for Sunday relaxation. I have been fascinated by a trend I discovered on the internet, swapping ATC’s. They are diminutive creations that swappers exchange with others all over the world. So I decided to make some cards that have to be 3.5 x 2.5 inches precisely. I made a template and then cut up an old watercolour painting from years ago and started creating. It was great fun !! Here are the 12 that I squeezed out of the cards cut from that one painting. I don’t think that mine compare favourably with the elaborate embellished works of art that the true ATC swappers produce, but then these are a first attempt.
When John came home for the Christmas holiday on the 21st December, we decided to try and do one plein-air painting each day during the holidays. It was sometimes difficult to find the time with all the busy organization around Christmas but we managed to achieve it pretty successfully. I think there was one day, that was just too busy, for me to go out with John, so he did 2 sessions on that day, alone. It was a really enjoyable experience! I will add the paintings in the order of the days of the challenge, and please note that my paintings are on the left, while John’s are on the right: –
Day 1. 22 Dec. The Garden Artichoke in flower.
Artichoke in flower.
Day 2. 23 Dec. These are both John’s paintings. Pen and ink and watercolour.
John's ink and watercolour drawings of a poplar tree, and an agave.
Day 3. 24 Dec. A scene facing north, from the road outside my studio. A nice shady spot to sit.
Day 3. View north to the ploughed land in front of the house.
Day 4. 25 Dec. Christmas Day. A very windy day made this a challenging task. The old pepper tree leaning against the pig-stys.
Day 4. Windy Christmas day. The old pepper tree.
Day 5. 26 Dec. Boxing Day. We took the truck to a spot at the entrance to our farm. It was also windy there, but such a beautiful view down the valley towards Spitskop and the distant Freestate hills.
Day 5. View down the valley to Spitskop.
Day 6. 27 Dec. Went to Excelsior, a distant part of the farm, for a lunch braai (barbeque). We painted from the same place but chose different scenes.
Day 6. Excelsior braai, two different tree studies.
Day 7. 28 Dec. Painting in the big shed. The old wool scale etc. A nice change from the endless green vistas.
Day 7. The old wool scale in the shed.
Day 8. 29 Dec. Took the truck again, up to the little dam where reeds grow and the bird-life is fantastic. We were serenaded by a variety of water fowl and nesting weavers. We even had a Leguaan pass by. We managed to find a small spot on the dam wall, in the shade of a white stinkwood tree.
Day 8. The little dam with reeds and birds.
Day 9. 30 Dec. Painted in the farmyard near the shed. We were well attended by many curious sheep, who investigated all our painting equipment, and sought shade under my painting table.
Day 9. Farmyard near the big shed.
Day 10. 31 Dec. Took the truck up to the fountain. A small lush area where a spring occurs naturally and there are many trees, long grass and reeds. It was a beautiful quiet spot. We both planned to paint the dead tree in front of us, as a contrast to the background. John worked on the dead tree and ran out of time, so he gave an impressionist view of the background. I started on the background and the detail took up all my time leaving me no time for the dead tree !
Day 10. The lush fountain view.
Day 11. New Year’s Day. 2012. In the shade of 2 ample gum trees, we sat, to draw the scene facing east. However we chose a slightly different aspect so the only element that we have in common, was the orangey soil of the potato land in the foreground.
Day 11. The Potato land and beyond.
Day 12. 2 January. Painting in the shady north doorway of the big shed, facing north. John started on the sheep lying just infront of us, which soon moved away, so his first attempt remained a simple tinted drawing. I avoided the sheep and concentrated on the scene beyond. John then turned slightly and did a nice pen, ink and wash view of the garage and store room. No oils on that day.
Day 12. Veiw north-from-shed's doorway.
Day 13. 3 January. Our last official day of painting. We went to a spot in the shade of the pig-stys, and painted the Agave aloes on the end of the dam wall. The curious sheep came visiting once again.
Day 13. Agaves on the Dam wall.
Most of John’s paintings were done in oils whereas mine were all watercolour. You may like to go across and visit John’s Blog for more of his beautiful work, and his own interpretation of the challenge. He managed to fit in 3 extra pictures when I was busy with cooking and other chores, here are they are:
John's extra paintings.
Here are a few photos taken during the daily outings:
Day 8.Our little patch of shade.Day 7. John working on one of his extra paintings.Day 6. the Braai site with husband, John doing the cooking.
An order came in recently for another version of the big Nguni oil that sold at Walmer Park in 2009. So I made a small change and embarked on it once again with some trepidation, as there was a deadline for the 28th November. That gave me a mere 2 weeks to complete it, and make sure it would be dry for packaging and sending off to the framers in Pretoria.
Fortunately John had made me a couple of big canvases some time ago, and one was big enough for the requirements.
I did have some clear time fortunately, and was able to get it done by Friday 18 th November . Which means it has an ample 3 days to dry before packaging & sending off; and in our hot and dry karoo weather, that is quite enough time.
Here below are some of the early stages, if anyone is interested.
The process was accompanied by the superb sermons of R.C.Sproul on the Gospel of John, that I had downloaded for the occasion. It is a truly inspiring series !
Mondplaas Ngunis revisited. Oil on Canvas. 953 x 1520 mm.
