For the last two years I have managed to take up the EDM, The Every Day in May Challenge. It has been quite enjoyable if rather time consuming, and difficult to fit in on busy days. However, this year, I had an important big commission to start, so only completed half of the daily painting challenge. So here are the 15 paintings, it ended with the very personal sketch of my husband, John and his Grand daughter, Chloë, who share a 15th May Birthday. In April we travelled to Lambert’s Bay so several of these are inspired by scenery on that trip. The paintings appear in order of the days, from the first picture of the ewe and lamb, painted on the 1st May up till the last one, the portrait of Grandpa and Grand-daughter, on the 15th May.
Ewe & lamb restingCape Gannets, Lambert’s Bay, South AfricaDry Karoo near Canarvon.Lambert’s Bay HarbourKelp Gulls, and Sacred Ibis, Lambert’s Bay. SAEwe’s portrait.Old shed and windmill near Williston.Tails-up ! Warthogs.Pyracantha Augustifolia. Yellow Firethorn.Meercat Portrait.Silvermere scene of Agaves and Windmill.Old cottage in Canarvon.Red Grass, Themeda Triandra. Rooigras.The Lord Bless You and Keep You…. ( Lily Pond )Grandpa, Chloë & the tortoise.
Next year it will be 30 years since I painted this illustrated map of South Africa. It is no longer very topical with regards to South Africa at this time in history, but many of the interesting places for sightseers of South Africa, are still there. There are also a few additions that are not to be seen; like the presence of ‘Jock of The Bushveld’, a story well loved by most South Africans ; and the Bartholomew Diaz’s caravel, which reached Kwaaihoek in 1488. Diaz erected a cross there, not far from Boknes, on the East Cape coast, where we used to go for holidays.
This map is not for sale, however, I have been asked to make prints of it. So we took the painting out of it’s frame to photograph, and a few A3 & A2 prints have now been made.
In April we took a short holiday to Hogsback to commemorate our 40th wedding anniversary. What a change it was compared to our dry and barren karoo. It is a wonderful jewel of forests and waterfalls and “fairies” ! It inspired these 2 forest scenes, and even a little Samango monkey sketch. We saw so many of them in the trees around Hogsback, and even in the village itself. We stayed at beautiful Nibelheim. Hogsback is an extraordinary place!!
To the Fairy Meander.
Beautiful river and falls and paths to explore through the forests of Hogsback
On the return from our brief trip to Johannesburg to see John and Sue and Neil, we photographed lots of sunflowers in the fields alongside the N1. There is a possible upcoming order that includes a sunflower field. We drove off down a few linking farm roads and this perfect little scene was one that we passed. I found it particularly captivating and inspiring to paint.
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…)
