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.
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
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.
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.
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.
In the recent post entitled, ‘Karoo Interlude’, I mentioned that in my youth, on travels with my family we covered most of Rhodesia; (Zimbabwe) while researching the trees species that were my father’s particular interest. We often travelled in the area between Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls where large forests of Mopane, Teak and Mahogany grew abundantly, as well as many other beautiful trees. This watercolour is reminiscent of those wonderful forests and painting it was a deeply nostalgic process for me !
Thirty years ago, our son, John Oliver was given a little rabbit called Flapsocks. He was a delightful and soft little bunny, and as these things happen, time passed and we got more rabbits and later guinea pigs too.
The wild Cape Hare that we have now, is bigger than a domestic rabbit; but whenever I see him hopping about in the garden, I think of Flapsocks.
Since the Cape Hare has been feeding in our garden quite often recently, I have taken some photos, with the intention of doing some sketches. Unfortunately my photos were of poor quality, so I found a few good ones on the website : ARKive and have worked from those. It has been an enjoyable little excursion; and a reminder of Flapsocks, and those long ago days when our children were little.
