Tag: Ngunis

Ngunis among Acacia Karroo

Three Ngunis & Acacia Karroo

Having grown up in a family of botanists, it is hard to separate myself from the African bush and beautiful flora that was a big part of my youth. Acacia Karroo is a species of thorn tree, that is unique in that it grows naturally around here in the karoo, where we live in South Africa, and is also to be found around Salisbury ( Harare) and many other parts of Rhodesia, (Zimbabwe) where I grew up. I never really pursued a botanical career myself, as did my brother, John Burrows (http://www.bknr.co.za/), who has written several wonderful scientific botanical books. I also don’t have many tree books, except one old treasured copy of, “Trees of Central Africa” by Keith Coates Palgrave. This book plate of Acacia Karroo, is beautifully painted by his mother, Olive H. Coates Palgrave.

Acacia Karroo / Sweet Thorn. painted by Olive H. Coates Palgrave

I do not aspire to being a botanical artist like my talented sister in law, but this pencil sketch was done in the spirit of this study.

Acacia Karroo / Sweet thorn. Pencil sketch.

I wanted to explore the visual contrasts between the Acacia Karroo, and the Nguni cattle that are often seen grazing amongst them. The patterned hides of the Nguni cattle, against the network of white thorn-covered trees was an interesting contrast, and the focus of this series of these 3 paintings.

Nguni Herd in Acacia thornveld.

Thorn Bush Ngunis

15 Apr 2013
Karoo landscape with Ngunis.

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.

20 Sep 2012
Nguni Herd Returning Home

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.

30 Apr 2012
The Big Mondplaas Nguni Oil, – Revisited

Mondplaas Ngunis. 1502 x 953 mm.

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.

20 Nov 2011
Nguni Study Revisited

Nguni Cameo. Watercolour 500 x 350 mm.

After the big oil that I painted and sold in 2009, I have not painted Nguni’s again. So, a recent Nguni inquiry inspired me to compose another BIG canvas. I have a photo taken many years ago, between Pofadder and Pella, of a cattle herder with his herd. This is my inspiration for the new painting. However there are many logistical considerations with this painting as the entire herd of cattle are walking forward in a tight group, and most of my Nguni photographs are not suitable. These two paintings below were studies made of the few I do have, and now, I must go and visit Nguni farmers in the district to glean more photographic reference. It is a mighty challenge but an enjoyable one all the same. The painting at the top, is just a small unrelated pair of Nguni that caught my attention.

Nguni study 1. Watercolour 380 x 270 mm.

Nguni Study 2. Watercolour. 380 x 270 mm

28 Sep 2010
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