Kings and Castles

“A man’s home is his wife’s castle.” Alexander Chase
Sue-Elize Henning's home, near Steysnsburg.
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.

Sean Frewen's portrait
Sean Frewen's portrait

These portraits are of a friend, Sean Frewen, and Prince Philip (used to illustrate Sean’s particular theory on his new website, The Crown Mission ). Sean wrote my biography which appears in the gallery of our website, The portraits were our agreed means of payment for the article.

portrait of Prince Philip
portrait of Prince Philip


And on the subject of Princes and Kings, a favourite hymn about my favourite,- King Jesus.

1. The King of Love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
2. Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
3. Perverse and foolish, oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me;
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing brought me.
4. In death’s dark vale, I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
5. Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And O what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth.



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Comments

One response to “Kings and Castles”

  1. Charles Avatar
    Charles

    Yay! Another blog :) – I just happened to take a quick look at your blog to see if there was something new, and discovered that you had only just posted this blog yesterday :D

    Since I’m in Edinburgh, maybe Jan and I should look at buying a castle, what you think? ;)

    I think your next painting should be of cats no doubt :P – but I would have you paint kitties constantly if I had my way! hehe.

    I like the picture of Prince Philip, has quite a lot of character!
    Thanks for the Post!

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