Category: Blog

The First Study of our Silvermere Meerkat Family

Meerkat Family, Watercolour & Gouache on Grey Canson Pastel paper. 620 x 430 mm.

‘Meerkat Manor’ on Animal Planet has been my favourite Soap Opera on TV for as long as the series has been running. So you can imagine how delighted I was when our own nomadic family of Meerkats set up home ( for a short while) behind our farm shed. There is a small broken window at the back of the shed, just big enough for my camera lens. I could sit there on the Lucerne bales, with my camera positioned through the hole in the window, and the meerkats were totally oblivious to my presence. So I spent many a happy hour photographing the antics and dramas of our own little meerkat family. It was very entertaining and I am delighted with the good photos I was able to take. There hasn’t been much of an opportunity to really explore them with my paints, but since the pressure of the exhibition is over, I have done a few paintings and sketches. Needless to say many more will follow, but here are the first ones: (more…)

4 Oct 2009
G.K.Chesterton and the Donkey

Donkey. watercolour. 225 x 160 mm

To return to that marvellous word, ‘serendipity’; the Warthog post and the Roses post were inadvertently linked when the warthogs tried to get into my rose garden, which you may recall. This time, the last post is linked to this one by this quote from one of my favourite authors, G.K.Chesterton :

“Can the Lion lie down with the Lamb and still retain his royal ferocity? That is the problem the Church attempted: that is the miracle she achieved.”

But the reason I chose Chesterton for this post was a favourite poem I remember from my youth, about the Donkey: (more…)

23 Sep 2009
The Lion, the Lamb, and the Exhibition.

The Exhibition in Port Elizabeth was our first in almost 2 years. It was a mere 3 days but the Lord blessed us with a successful show, and a trouble-free trip to PE and back with our overloaded old trailer. Also we have so many family and friends, new and old, to be thankful to for making it a wonderful weekend. Our son, John, also came from Johannesburg, to help us with the Exhibition. As we hadn’t Exhibited in PE since March 2006, it was wonderful to have so many of our old friends and patrons coming to visit us.

For those who haven’t seen our Exhibitions before, you may like to see the set of photos that we took, and for those that were there, thank you for making it so memorable!

John drawing. PE,Walmer Park Exhibition ’09

Card stand and tables. PE,Walmer Park Exhibition

4 corner rooms & 4 entrances made up the exhibition. Tables in the centre.

View from the outside of the display, Centre Court, Walmer Park.

John (husband) at one of the entrances,& the big Nguni painting that sold on the last day.

Another outer corner view. Walmer Park Exhibition Sep ’09

Travelling home ! 7 Sep ’09

After the painting of the roses in the last blog-post, there was little time to paint much before the big framing operation. John framed 22 new paintings for the Exhibition. However I did manage a couple of quick paintings,.. (more…)

8 Sep 2009
For the Love of Fragrant Roses

It is a strange coincidence that this post links to the previous one about warthogs. Last Saturday we had just turned on our recently re-erected electric fence around my rose garden when 4 warthogs came into the garden. I had finished pruning, and wanted to protect the new spring shoots on the roses. We have duiker and steenbuck that enjoy eating the roses.

Warthogs baffled by the electric fence!

The warthogs were most frustrated by the electric fence, and tried in vain to find a way in to the roses. It was most amusing and a great relief that the fence served its intended purpose.

“But he that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.” -Anne Bronte

At the time of pruning I was also painting roses, from the many photographs taken over the past couple of years. It was the first time I have painted an oil of these roses. The previous oil which was painted in 2004; when we renovated our kitchen, was painted from old roses in books. It hangs over the hearth in the kitchen, and is not for sale.

My Kitchen Roses oil painting, 2004

“Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent.” (more…)

28 Aug 2009
‘Tails Up’ & The Silvermere Warthogs

This post is about optimism and waiting on God’s perfect timing. The Israelites had to wait 40 years to enter the Promised Land, and I have had to wait many years, not so many by comparison , to capture on camera, warthogs running with their tails up. A friend once asked for a painting of warthogs running with their tails up, and I have failed to find any such suitable photographs. I do not like to paint from guesswork, being rather particular about anatomical accuracy. But ever since a family of warthogs have settled on Silvermere my chances have increased dramatically. Well, the wait has finally paid off. However as often happens, one seldom has the camera when sighting the warthogs. Earlier this year though, John Oliver(with camera) and his Dad were walking at Excelsior, the top part of our farm; when they saw the warthogs, and managed to capture them running off. These action photos though blurred, were then enhanced slightly thanks to Photoshop, and these two sketches were the result.

Warthogs. (560 x 250 mm. Pencil and wash sketch, on unstretched watercolour paper.)

Warthogs.(560 x 250 mm. Pen and wash sketch, on unstretched watercolour paper.)

These sketches sparked my interest and two more paintings followed. (more…)

16 Aug 2009
Travel Notebook & High Speed Sketching.

To paint… to travel… to combine the two… is to celebrate life. Jack R. Brouwer

“A traveller without observation is a bird without wings.” — Moslih Eddin Saadi

When travelling the long distances across South Africa, it is advisable, as a passenger, to have an entertaining pastime. For some reading, napping or listening to the radio helps while-away the hours. For me the most appealing options are; photographing the passing landscape or sketching it, depending on whether it is a small country road or a main highway. The highway is usually smooth and therefore I choose to sketch, while the small roads are too uneven for painting, so I photograph interesting scenery as we speed past.

Occasionally we have to turn around and return for some better shots of particularly inspiring scenes. On this last trip to Johannesburg last week; we took an alternative route up and therefore found several reasons to turn around: a suburban dam beside the gold mining town of Odendaalsrus with hundreds of feeding flamingoes; a little donkey cart loaded with passengers, on the road from Klerksdorp to Ventersdorp; a colourful cottage with an old grandmother and a toddler sunning themselves on the front steps; and a gravel driveway with some lovely old trees.

On our return from this particular trip to Johannesburg to visit our son, John; I realized that I was missing some interesting scenes as we sped by at 120 kms an hour on the main freeway. Usually much of the sketch is completed from memory, when it has passed us by at high speed, but I decided to photograph the good scenes, and finish the sketch from the viewer on my camera. This has made it possible to include more detail than would be possible from memory alone. (more…)

11 Aug 2009
The Genet and the Starling

Last night, while we were watching TV, there was a loud crashing about on our front verandah. When we turned on the light we saw a Small Spotted Genet with his prey, an unfortunate Red-wing Starling. But before I could rush for my camera, he dashed off into the night. The other Starling flew off too and obviously decided this was not a good roosting spot.
Ironically, I have been trying unsuccessfully to discourage the pair of Starlings from roosting on the verandah. I don’t really like having them around, because they rob the nests of other birds, stealing their eggs; and it is very obvious that the other birds don’t like having them around either. Quite often the other birds mob the pair of starlings, trying to chase them away. But the starlings are very persistent and are not easily discouraged. So this incident with the little Genet last night, instantaneously achieved what the other birds and I have failed to achieve!

Red-Wing Starling

However I couldn’t help feeling sadness for the remaining lonely Starling, who could be heard plaintively calling its mate this morning.

Small-Spotted Genet

Some time ago, we found a Small Spotted Genet in broad daylight, outside my studio, in the bamboos. Genets are nocturnal, so it was a surprise to see it! He was most obliging and waited for me to fetch the camera, and I was able to get a splendid photograph. I have never quite got around to painting him, but this latest incident, inspired me to sketch him here. Whether it is the same Genet, we will never know, – possibly !

2 Aug 2009
Feeding The Birds

The regular ritual of feeding the birds inspired this latest set of pictures.

Sketch of The Birds Feeding

Several years ago we raised guinea fowls from eggs found in the Lucerne lands, and rescued them before the tractor went over their nests. We set them under broody hens, which successfully reared the large clutches of young guineas. When they grew up, they re-joined the wild flocks that live around here. But they always return when they get hungry, and many of the other weavers, sparrows and doves have enthusiastically taken to the daily feeding and arrive in large numbers to mingle with the guinea fowl.

Three Guinea Fowl arriving for feeding time

A quote from the Evangelical priest and scholar John Stott who wrote a sermon series called; “The Birds our Teachers”.

“Jesus himself referred to birds in his famous Sermon on the Mount. According to the old English version he said ‘consider the fowls of the air’, but in basic English this is a command to ‘watch birds’. When Martin Luther, the great 16th century reformer, got to this verse in his commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, he became quite lyrical. He wrote: ‘Let the little birds be your theologians … We have as many teachers and preachers as there are little birds in the air’. So I’ve sometimes said in rather jocular fashion that I’m developing a new science called ‘orni-theology’, – the theology of birds.”

'Feeding The Birds', (50 x 70 cms)Watercolour on Saunders Waterford.

Overheard In An Orchard

Single Guinea waiting for the seed

Said the Robin to the Sparrow
“I would really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin
“Friend I think that it must be
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”

–Elizabeth Chaney – 1859

24 Jul 2009
A Study of Nguni Cattle

Since the 11th march 2007 I have developed a fascination for Nguni Cattle. On that particular day I visited the farm, Rooipoort of our friends Carl and Rentia Malcomess. There I photographed their herd of Nguni cattle with the plan to paint a composition of the herd in the landscape of their farm. I started with a rough sketch here.

Then I composed and painted the final watercolour for them.

Since then I discovered that there was another herd of Ngunis, so with the help of the farmer, Hannes Haasbroek, I acquired a substantial photo library for future Nguni paintings. However as 2008 turned out to be an year of no painting, the idea only returned on our trip to the Baviaanskloof in May. Passing a farm at Mondplaas, near Jeffrey’s Bay, I saw a wonderful small herd of Nguni. This was the spark of inspiration that got me going again. (more…)

30 Jun 2009
Kings and Castles

“A man’s home is his wife’s castle.” Alexander Chase

Sue-Elize Henning's home, near Steynsberg.

I have just completed my final order for now ; whether it is a house, a home or perhaps even their ‘castle'(?) it matters not, but at least Sue-Elize seemed pleased with the painting. Now there is this marvellous feeling of freedom, and the possibilities of “what next”, are quite exhilerating! I’ve been thinking of Nguni cattle as a big oil, or wild cats which are so popular; or sheep, or the Whiskered Terns seen nesting on our Excelsior dam a while ago; or windmills & dry Karoo landscapes; or butterflies on the Lavender that I photographed a couple of days ago. I’ve long considered an old cattle herder photographed near the Orange river Pella Mission. How beautiful are the rugged faces of the folk we meet on our travels, and I enjoy the challenge of portraying the years etched on their faces in all the nuances of facial expression.

They are so different from the face of a familiar royal, who some might think, should be king. (more…)

21 Jun 2009
Bundu-bashing through The Baviaanskloof, Exploring more Backroads of the Boundless Karoo

Weekends away are a rare luxury for most farmers when no-one remains to care for the farm and pets. But occasionally we call upon a farmer friend to pop in and check up on the kitties etc. and we take off for a 3-day-break.

Last weekend (8th to the 10th May 09) we went down to Port Elizabeth for my Mum’s Birthday and an Aunt’s 90th Birthday celebration. Then we decided to take a scenic route on our homeward journey, through the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve. ( www.baviaanskloof.com ) We have longed to try it, but were warned that it was a 4×4 route only. Well we don’t have a 4×4, only our trusty farm truck, but took a chance and set off at 2pm on that sunny Saturday afternoon not knowing what to expect ! Well, after 5 hours of torturously rocky mountain passes, winding valleys, through rivers that reached the doors of the truck, we emerged as the twilight fell over the valley. The last part, just as the sun was setting was particularly exciting as the wildlife came out to play in the road ahead. There were kudus, bushbuck, baboons and monkeys. We found a comfortable B&B, ( Bokloof ) just as the cloak of night fell.

Many kudu crossed the road and posed beautifully for the camera .

Many aloes, possibly,Aloe Ferox, an interesting study.

The next day we emerged from the valley through the mist shrouded Nuwekloof Pass out to the wide open spaces of our beloved Karoo. We took many backroads through: Steytlerville, Mt.Stewart, Jansenville, Pearston, and over the mountains to Cradock and on home through Schoombie and the beautiful farms along the upper reaches of the Fish River. (more…)

17 May 2009
Zerendipity Zebras (Serendipity Zebras)

Nancy's Zebras

(Serendipity Zebras)

I love the word, ‘serendipity’ as I am sure those who love words will agree! It is a word that trickles off the tongue with such delightful playfulness that I felt inspired to use it in today’s post. There are many meanings, including ‘chance’ and ‘coincidence’. ‘Synchronicity’ may describe this happen stance better, it means ; – ‘unlikely occurrences that take place by random chance’.

I have just completed two orders heading for the USA, and both contain Zebras. As I don’t paint Zebras very often so this could well be a case of “synchronicity” or “serendipity”.

As commissions do not appear in my gallery, on the painting website ( www.africanpainting.com ) I thought you may be interested to see them before they depart for America.

“Whether we name divine presence (God’s Presence) synchronicity, serendipity, or graced moment matters little. What matters is the reality that our hearts have been understood. Nothing is as real as a healthy dose of magic which restores our spirits.”

Nancy Long (Quote :2504)

Synchronicity is choreographed by a great, pervasive intelligence that lies at the heart of nature,(God) and is manifest in each of us through what we call the soul.

~ Deepak Chopra,( Quote:2505)

Trophy Zebra

22 Feb 2009