Tag: portraits
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EDM. Every Day in May challenge, 2018
Robin eating cheese, Cape robin-chat, Cossypha caffra Silvermere farm road after rain Blue flowers in my garden. Lavender, Plumbago & Rosemary. Mountain Reedbuck, (Redunca Fulvorufula) on a misty & rainy day on Buffelskloof Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga. Tree by the roadside. Acacia Sieberiana. Portrait of John on his Birthday Grey Crowned Crane, Balearica regulorum, Gate on the Hill Autumn fruits and leaves. Tomatoes, Chillis, Rose-hips & Leaves of the Virginia Creeper. Lone sheep in Karoo Veld Buffelskloof Pine Forest. Mpumalanga Remembering dear Uncle Tony Fitt Mum’s Blue Tea-set, Mother’s Day. Silvermere Sunset and puddles after rain Chloë and John’s Birthday Portrait. Grand daughter and Grandpa sharing a tender moment. Expectant Ewe, lambing season, Silvermere. Secretary Bird, Sagittarius serpentarius Farm Road with Gumtree shadows Mana & Rufus, my brother’s cats. The Doves of Pentecost Karoo, Road through Veld to the Windmill. Sketchbook, Old Farm Boots Commemorating Chelsea Flower Show 2018. Floral wallpaper. On homemade paper. Hansie Lambs, Orphans. The forgotten houses on Buitekant St. Burgersdorp White-breasted Cormorant, drying his wings, Loch Logan, Bloemfontein. Sunset over Farm Dam. Silvermere Windmill Repairs, on Silvermere Feeding Guinea Fowl Clown-faced cow and calf Kalahari Karoo, between Prieska & Vanwyksvlei -
Every Day in May challenge, 2017.
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 resting 
Cape Gannets, Lambert’s Bay, South Africa 
Dry Karoo near Canarvon. 
Lambert’s Bay Harbour 
Kelp Gulls, and Sacred Ibis, Lambert’s Bay. SA 
Ewe’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. -
EDM 2016, The Everyday in May Challenge.
In 2015 I took up the “Everyday in May” challenge, and when May 2016 rolled around, I was keen to give it another try. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, and hope you will too; while scrolling through these 31 sketches.
Day 1 of the Everyday in May 2016 challenge. EDM 1. 
Day 2. Everyday in May challenge 2016. Benjamin visited recently. 
Day 3 of the Every Day in May Challenge 2016. Sunset from my kitchen 
Common Waxbills in my garden yesterday. Love the way they wag their tails like dogs. 
Day 5, Everyday in May Challenge 2016. Little Karoo scene north of Bethulie in the Freestate. 
Day 6, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, A little marmalade farm cat. 
Day 7, Everyday in May challenge 2016. One of the two shearers we had last week, to shear a few grown lambs. 
Day 8, Every day in May challenge 2016,. The second of the 2 shearers that came to shear a few grown lambs. 
Day 9, Every day in May Challenge, colourful farm fowls seen recently. 
For those who would like to add their own colours, I added this original line drawing. 
Day 10, Every Day in May 2016, a little misty scene on Silvermere. 
Day 11, Every Dayin May challenge, sheep portrait from one of our Afrino flock 
Day 12, Everyday in May Challenge, a detail of one of the Acacias we have on Silvermere. 
Day 13, Everyday in May Challenge, Eggs in three of my favourite old eggcups. 
Day 14, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, The informal settlement on the edge of Aliwal North. 
Day 15, Everyday in May challenge 2016, “Happy Birthday” to Grandpa & Granddaughter who share the 15th May Birthday. 
Day 16, Everyday in May challenge 2016, I used a turtle dove and my Bible to illustrate the commemoration of Pentecost. 
Day 17, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, lovely view of the autumn-leafed trees from the bridge over the Stormberg Spruit. 
Day 18, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, While taking photos of a herd of Sable Antelope recently, I noticed all the young ones in a group together. 
Day 19, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, Autumn trees beside the road at Sonskyn. 
Day 20, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, We have employed two fencers to make repairs to all the Silvermere fences that have deteriorated. 
Day 21, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, The second of our two fencers working here since April. 
Day 22, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, three of the Sable Antelope that I photographed on a neighbouring farm recently. 
Day 23, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, A little view of our farmyard buildings, as seen when driving down our road. 
Day 24, Everyday in May Challenge 2016. Very few roses left in my autumn rose garden, except these two, in celebration of the start of the Chelsea Flower Show that started today. 
Day 25, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, three of our orphaned lambs. 
Day 26, Everyday in May Challenge, 2016, In 2008 we had a devastating veld fire that burnt some of our veld and our neighbour’s farm too. 
Day 27, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, A little farm road with gate and windmill, below the dam wall. 
Day 28, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, A little winter scene, from 2014, early in the morning with frosty sheep. 
Day 29, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, One of my favourite birds that is now nesting in the trees nearby. Such lovely chatty and cheerful characters 
Day 30, Everyday in May Challenge 2016, A view of rain falling over the Kramberg mountain, from the Knapdaar to Burgersdorp Road. 
Day 31, of the Everyday in May Challenge 2016. Decided to do some calligraphy for this final day of the challenge, with an encouraging message to end off with ! -
Remembering the 90’s, & Bon Jovi
During the 1990’s Bon Jovi became my favourite rock band and I followed them avidly. In 1995 we attended their first concert in Johannesburg. I also joined the fan club, ‘Backstage with Jon Bon Jovi’, and entered a few competitions. I sent a couple of paintings which Jon and his wife, Dorothea apparently received, according to his Mum. At that time Jon’s Mum ran the Fan Club. I won an autographed T’shirt in one competition, and collected all the Albums of their music. But during the next ten years, although I continued to follow their music and enjoyed the odd appearances on TV, gradually the fervor faded and I gave the subscription money to a worthwhile charity instead. I even forgot about the two oil portraits that I’d done during that heady decade; until recently when a friend asked about them, so here they are:
Jon Bon Jovi, 1995. oil on Canvas 450 x 550 mm 
Jon Bon Jovi, 1998, oil on Canvas 550 x 450 mm. -
Portraits. – Being captivated by Faces.
Charles & Jan's Wedding. Oil on Canvas. Hello again ! What a long time it has been since last I wrote a blog post. This particular post has been delayed, partly by the busy-ness of the Festive Season; and the Portrait that is featured was a gift to my son and daughter in law. I didn’t want to reveal it till after Christmas. It is a commemorative painting of their wedding a year ago on the 4th January 2010. I would never consider myself a good portrait artist, and most of the ones I tackle are considerably flawed, including this one. Perhaps most artists would agree that portraits are particularly difficult to do really well. Many times over the years I have sworn to stop doing them, after several experiences when I was asked to make changes on ones that I’d sold. However I have always been fascinated by people’s faces, and have drawn portraits since I was at school.
A School Friend. Pastel. from about 1970 
An early study. Pastel. 1974
This thought has reminded me of one of my all time favourite hymns; “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. Whenever I sing this it tends to bring tears to my eyes; when I picture the thought of gazing at the face of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and realize how unworthy I am.
But the uncanny coincidence came yesterday when I was reading a blog piece by John Piper’s wife Noel, where she mentioned the art of Lilias Trotter. Then I went in search of her art, only to find that her writings were altogether more captivating. It was there that I discovered that her piece called, ‘Focussed’ inspired Helen Lemmel to write the hymn ‘The Heavenly Vision’, which is now called, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”.
This image that Lilias spoke of in ‘Focussed’ resonated so powerfully with me, as I am so riveted by faces, and especially the face of Jesus as I see him in my heart, and my mind’s eye. The way He searches our hearts and thoughts with that perceptive and patient gaze, and loves us regardless of all our shortcomings, isn’t that beautiful? Isn’t He beautiful? Even though none of us know what He looked like and all have different interpretations of His face. If you look on Google Images you will see many of the portraits of Jesus, and it is clear that we all see Him quite differently.
So, today, whether faces fascinate you or not; take a moment to turn your eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free!
Refrain
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are!
Refrain
His Word shall not fail you, He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Refrain
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Christ the Divine Redeemer by Simon Dewey
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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…)
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People & Portraits
‘Breath of Heaven’. oil on canvas. 1200 x 665 mm. For Sale 
Angel Garden. Watercolour. 700 x 500 mm. 
Art school model, Figure drawing class. Pencil 
Day 2. Everyday in May challenge 2016. Benjamin visited recently. 
Benjamin Fourie, Sketch during 2008 Recital, Bethulie. Pencil Sketch. 
‘Cupid & Psyche’, Watercolour. 350 x 250 mm. Sold 
D.H.Lawrence. A4 Pencil Sketch 
Dame Laura Knight. A4 Pencil Sketch. 
David. watercolour & gouache. 620 x 430 mm. sold 
Figure Study. Pencil drawing. 350 x 250 mm 
Frederick Chopin. A4 Pencil Sketch 
George Bernard Shaw. A4 pencil sketch 
Goethe. A4 pencil sketch 
Guitar Player. oil on canvas. 
Happy Angels. Oil on Canvas. 550 x 500 mm. For Sale 
Indian Dancer. Pen, ink & wash. 350 x 240 mm 
Johan Vos. Oil on Canvas. 2006 commission. sold. 
Luciano Pavarotti. Oil on Canvas. 490 x 350 mm. For sale. 
Man leaning. Oil on Canvas. 620 x 350 mm. For sale 
Mark Twain. A4 pencil sketch 
Masks. Oil on Canvas. Sold 
Michaelangelo. A4 pencil sketch 
Nelson Mandela . Watercolour. 350 x 260 mm 
Prince Philip. Watercolour, 300 x 200 mm. Sold. 
Quick Ink Figure Sketch. Art school sketch. Thin paper 
Rembrandt. A4 pencil sketch 
Robert Burns 
Rudyard Kipling. A4 pencil sketch 
Sean Frewen. Watercolour. Sold. 
Walt Whitman. A4 pencil sketch 
Man Leaning 
Nelson Mandela 
Luciano Pavarotti 
Johan Vos 
Prince Philip 
Sean Frewen 
'Cupid & Psyche' 
Breath of Heaven, Angels. 
Happy Angels.
Benjamin Fourie, Sketch during 2008 Recital, Bethulie. 
Frederick Chopin 
D.H.Lawrence. 
Dame Laura Knight. 
Robert Burns 
George Bernard Shaw 
Mark Twain 
Rudyard Kipling 
Goethe 
Walt Whitman 
Rembrandt 
Michaelangelo
