27.2.15

Weekend rain...maybe? #517


Daily painting #517 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Up early to paint today as I have had a full day of teaching, a busy afternoon and the possibility of load shedding tonight. But as I write we still have power and it has not gone off as scheduled. Schedule...what schedule? I suppose I should be grateful that we still have power but rather I am irritated that we plan our lives around a power schedule and then nothing goes as planned! But on the up side those clouds this morning were definitely rain clouds and rain is forecast for the weekend! My son would be mad with my honesty but quite frankly I am hoping his Saturday cricket match (which lasts the whole day) will be cancelled due to rain. That sounds mean but I could really do with a day at home after a busy week! Sorry Ross....but this mamma is tired!

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26.2.15

No lights #516


Daily painting #516 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

I think this little candle has served well and it's days are almost done! Our electricity crisis continues in South Africa with daily load shedding, sometimes twice daily when the demand is high! Load shedding is when entire suburbs are taken off the grid completely (all electricity cut off) for periods of up to 2 hours in an attempt to lessen the demand on our inadequate and antiquated power stations. Hardly an ideal situation and disastrous for businesses but life carries on as we have no choice! So our houses are lit up with rechargeable lights, gas lights, candles and some have invested in generators to keep things going. It is daily and scheduled (well supposed to be) and so you try to plan your life accordingly and get things done before your power cuts. This must be sounding like doom and gloom to foreigners but it is what it is and we make do!
Last night our load shedding was scheduled for 8pm -10pm, an awful time of night as my husband and I are usually catching up on work, kids are finishing off homework and you are perhaps watching a bit of TV or reading a book when darkness suddenly engulfs you. Last night my son and I were standing on the upstairs veranda which overlooks our suburb and out to sea when the electricity suddenly cut. We were expecting it and so had gone outside to watch as the suburb was plunged into darkness. I was reminded of our last trip to the bush (maybe you remember me telling the story) when on a night drive the game ranger suddenly cut the lights of our vehicle and the pitch darkness of the African bush (which if one is not familiar with it can seem claustrophobic)  sent an American tourist into a fit of panic that broke the silence of the night like a gunshot! She was so terrified of predators that the poor ranger rather than allowing us to listen to the bush which is one way you would track animals at night, quickly put the vehicle lights back on, much to her delight.  I have to admit that I probably feel safer in the darkness of the bush than the darkness of the suburb! It felt awful to watch houses and streets for as far as we could see plunge into darkness and the silence that followed was eerie. Slowly a few houses lit up again as generators kicked into action. I guess this will become a way of life soon and what seems rather ridiculous now will soon be elevated to normal and like the rest of Africa most houses will end up with generators or such like, but for now I am cursing the millions that voted for our current re-elected government responsible for this entropy. 

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25.2.15

Headache #515


Daily painting #515 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

So this is one that won't make it to the online store. It's really not a very good painting but is rather expressive in that it is exactly how I feel! For the last few days I seem to be on the brink of coming down with the flu but my body is obviously fighting it off....and besides I think I just don't have time to get sick so I am mentally fighting it off. However today I have the most awful sinus headache. Of course it is a busy day with a full teaching schedule and my kids have the busiest day ever with swimming galas and cricket practices and dancing....sometimes the day just ends up that kind of day! So grinning and baring it today....and sharing my awful painting regardless. I have a headache....hope these bombs do the trick!

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Roses in a white re-cycled jar #514


Daily painting #514 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

I am never short of vases in my house, purely because I am such a hoarder! I keep everything thinking it will be of some use. I can never throw away glass jars! They get reused as storage jars in my kitchen and in my studio and they even sometimes get a coat of paint to be used as a little pot for flowers all over the house! This little glass jar was painted white and is sitting in my studio ....with two pretty pink roses to brighten up my bookshelf! I have an abundance of re-cycled vases in an assortment of colours, shapes and sizes!  

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23.2.15

Early glow from my studio #513


Daily painting #513 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

That time of day when everything is still and quiet, and the earth seems bathed in the silvery, soft glow of the morning. 

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22.2.15

Food please #512


Daily painting #512 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

After our deluge of rain during which I took down our bird feeders, I woke to the sound of some rather noisy feathered friends who, looking a little motley after the rain, were demanding some food! The feeders were gone and they were determined to kick up a fuss until someone gave them some breakfast! This little chap wasn't flying away while I put the feeders back up. He was waiting for the prime seat and first offerings!

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21.2.15

Grey and gloomy #511


Daily painting #511 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

By 4 o'clock this afternoon it was dark and gloomy as if night was almost upon us. My son's cricket game came to an abrupt end as a deluge of rain hit and sent everyone scuttling for cover, although I am not quite sure how they were managing to see the ball in the gloom anyway! I did this quick little study of the gloomy sky out at sea when we finally made it home. The rain is most welcome and the temperature has dropped considerably. I can almost hear my garden groaning with delight as it welcomes the rain!

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20.2.15

Pink orchids #510


Daily painting #510 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

Last year I seemed to paint the beautiful orchids on my veranda quite often and they have been so beautiful again I am not sure why I haven't painted them more often! So some beautiful soft pink orchids from my home to yours....have a great weekend everyone!

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19.2.15

Set of 3 #509


Daily painting #509 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

If you have ever read the quote below and can relate then we are on the same page! I always feel like a kid in a candy store when I am in any art supply store and buying new materials (whether I use them immediately or not) is always such a treat! I am hugely possessive over my materials and my daughter has her own set of everything just so that I don't have to share mine! I am particularly possessive over my brushes....they are like old friends! I found my daughter in my studio yesterday working on a school drama project (making puppets) and she was using one of my brushes in cold wood glue! I nearly went berserk and only after I calmed down did I realize how irrational and ridiculous I was maybe being. It is after all just a paint brush....but it was my paintbrush! I think I could do with a session on someone's couch (I say having a giggle). Either that or my daughter needs to leave my materials alone and use her own.....for the sanity of her crazy (obsessed) mother!



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18.2.15

Green protea #508


Daily painting #508 5"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

I painted this protea a few days ago in pen and watercolour as a postcard for the postcard art group. I thought I would paint it again is time in oils as it will only last a few more days. 

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17.2.15

Early morning rain clouds #507


Daily painting #507 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

We had a little rain in the night and the last remnants of rain clouds were hovering out at sea early this morning. We have had a sudden drop in temperature and the air has a slight freshness to it which is very unusual for this time of year. I have no doubt though that the scorching heat will return and that we haven't seen the end of summer just yet so I am enjoying the sudden change while it lasts!

Thank you to all of you who took advantage of my 30% discount coupon in the online store. I will be posting off all those little paintings in the next few days!

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16.2.15

Late night roses #506


Daily painting #506 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

The bunch of roses were moved into the studio in the early morning but as the day planned out I only managed to get into the studio to paint late last night after the rest of the family were already in bed! Some days are just like that.....

Today is the last day of the SPECIAL OFFER!!!
As a way of saying 'thank you' and to celebrate 500 days, I have decided to run a special offer in my online store. You can receive a discount of 30% on your purchase if you use the discount code "500DAYS" when you check out. This special offer only applies to online purchases and will run for 1 week (7 days). The offer will end Tuesday 17th February at midnight (SA time). I hope you find something special....I would love to post a little painting to you! Click on the highlighted writing below to view the online store.....  

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15.2.15

Three blueberries #505


Daily painting #505 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I loved every minute of getting back to my oil paints today, although I am really glad I have a few postcards to share with the postcard art group! These little blue gems were breakfast treats along with some fresh croissants and some good coffee. A fine way to start the day!

Tomorrow is the last day of my SPECIAL OFFER....
As a way of saying 'thank you' and to celebrate 500 days, I have decided to run a special offer in my online store. You can receive a discount of 30% on your purchase if you use the discount code "500DAYS" when you check out. This special offer only applies to online purchases and will run for 1 week (7 days). The offer will end Tuesday 17th February at midnight (SA time). I hope you find something special....I would love to post a little painting to you! Click on the highlighted writing below to view the online store..... 

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Last protea for postcard art group #504


Daily painting #504 pen and watercolour for postcard art group

Last pen and watercolour postcard for the postcard art group. Back to my oil paints tomorrow....and I can't wait! Does me good to have a little break from them and 'play' a little.....

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13.2.15

Another protea for postcard art group #503


Daily painting #503 pen and watercolour postcard for the postcard art group

Another little pen and watercolour postcard today which will be posted off to a member of the Postcard Art Group. This time my favourite coloured protea!


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Protea for Post card Art group #502


Daily painting #502 pen and watercolour for the postcard art group 

It's time for me to send off more postcards to the Postcard Art Group I belong to. So a little pen and watercolour protea today ready to post....but first I need to make at least another 5!

SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER
As a way of saying 'thank you' and to celebrate 500 days, I have decided to run a special offer in my online store. You can receive a discount of 30% on your purchase if you use the discount code "500DAYS" when you check out. This special offer only applies to online purchases and will run for 1 week (7 days). The offer will end Tuesday 17th February at midnight (SA time). I hope you find something special....I would love to post a little painting to you! Click on the highlighted writing below to view the online store.....

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12.2.15

Jam Swissroll cake #501


Daily painting #501 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Some little mini Swissroll treats for  my painting class's tea time! Today was not one of my better daily painting days! It seemed like a struggle today...I am tired and the heat seems to sap every ounce of energy from you. I just felt like a beginner painter, making obvious mistakes, struggling with colour and quite frankly I felt like just "throwing in the towel"! But I didn't....I pushed on through....and tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I will feel differently! Today I didn't feel like someone who (as a good friend put it) has painted half a thousand daily paintings! 

SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER
As a way of saying 'thank you' and to celebrate 500 days, I have decided to run a special offer in my online store. You can receive a discount of 30% on your purchase if you use the discount code "500DAYS" when you check out. This special offer only applies to online purchases and will run for 1 week (7 days). The offer will end Tuesday 17th February at midnight (SA time). I hope you find something special....I would love to post a little painting to you! Click on the highlighted writing below to view the online store.....

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10.2.15

Yesterday's rose #500


Daily painting #500 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

A soft delicate version of yesterday's rose which was painted close up! 

Today marks 500 days of daily painting for me! Yes....500 paintings in 500 days! Thank you to the many people all over the world that follow Paintings in the post and send through comments and encouragement! As a way of saying 'thank you' and to celebrate 500 days, I have decided to run a special offer in my online store. You can receive a discount of 30% on your purchase if you use the discount code "500DAYS" when you check out. This special offer only applies to online purchases and will run for 1 week (7 days). The offer will end Tuesday 17th February at midnight (SA time). I hope you find something special....I would love to post a little painting to you! Click on the highlighted writing below to view the online store.....
Hooray for 500 days of painting!

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Rose #499


Daily painting #499 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Almost 500 daily paintings!! 500 in 500 days!

I went off to buy flowers for the house yesterday, foolishly forgetting that we are days away from Valentines Day. I was horrified to see the prices of flowers have doubled and in some cases tripled purely because of the demand for Valentines Day! What a rip off! Why should flowers cost any more than they usually do...why rip people off just because you are certain of making extra sales...taking advantage of the celebration! I can't believe that people will pay such exorbitant prices, especially for roses. Buy something that lasts if you must. I clearly have been married for too long or am getting old but this kind of commercial rip off is just crazy. Last year I encouraged all the men followers of Paintings in the post to buy their wives a floral painting...at least it will last a lifetime....and the prices won't double just because it is Valentines Day! I guess I won't be buying flowers for the house until after the 14th February!

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8.2.15

Chocolate gingerbread man #498


Daily painting #498 6"x8" oil on primed mixed media panel 

A little treat from our local bakery. I love the story of the gingerbread man..."Run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!" This little chap wasn't going anywhere....although the kids and the dogs (who were sleeping in my studio) all their eyes on him!

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Fern #497


Daily painting #497 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Most of today was spent around the cricket field watching my son's match. I didn't take my painting things with me today, I just wasn't organized enough when I left in the morning and besides I had to leave the game at intervals to drop my daughter at 2 different birthday parties. But I did pick up this beautiful little piece of fragile fern to paint this evening in my studio. Thank goodness it survived the heat long enough for me to paint it!

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6.2.15

After the storm #496


Daily painting #496 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

We have had some much needed rain! There is nothing quite like waking to a crisp, fresh, clear and damp morning that sparkles with the aftermath of a good rain shower. The air seems clean and the birds are in full song! What a way to start the day....

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5.2.15

Pot of chrysanthemums #495


Daily painting #495 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

This little pot of chrysanthemums is sitting just outside my studio doors. 

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Protea #494


Daily painting #495 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Some candy colours in the studio today....a birthday request from a loyal Paintings in the post supporter!

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3.2.15

In memory of Grandpa Pete #493


Daily painting #493 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Today, 2 years ago, my father in law passed away. We all miss Grandpa Pete and his good old fashioned ways and wisdom! He was such a gentleman, good manners and etiquette being his most noble characteristic. As a result I have a husband who is a true gentleman in every regard and I hope Ross will follow Grandpa Pete's ways too! A fine example he was!
Orchids were his favourite flower and right now I am loving the beautiful soft tones in the orchids on my veranda. So today these are in honour of our beloved Grandpa Pete! X

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Rain clouds study #492


Daily painting #492 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

A little close up study of some much needed rain clouds! It was really dark and gloomy this morning!

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1.2.15

Surfs up in Durban #491


Daily painting #491 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I often get asked by people following paintings in the post who are from Durban and live abroad, why I don't paint more Durban scenes....I usually paint from life and so going down onto our beachfront to paint (especially in the heat) is not that appealing so I looked through some of the many photos I have taken from our Durban piers looking back towards the beachfront and found some beauties! This one was taken from North pier. Of course not all photos make good paintings ....but today I decided to give one of them a try. It is finally raining and the temperature has dropped slightly giving us a little relief from the heat. It's perfect weather to spend time in the studio!

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Through the trees at St. Charles #490


Daily painting #490 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel 

Yesterday was my son Ross's first High School cricket game for Northwood. We played against a school called St. Charles in Pietermaritzburg about an hour inland from Durban. It was a sweltering hot day and I, as usual, found a quiet place tucked under a tree where I could paint and read my book....and of course keep my eye on the game! For those of you who know little about the game of cricket it can last the whole day! Our boys played well and started the season off with a win but most importantly their attitudes and team spirit was awesome which for me is more important than the win. These boys have come from many different primary schools and have not played as a team before, so they got off to a fantastic start! As the afternoon crept in so did a late afternoon thunder storm creep in from behind the border of trees on the boundary of the school. Thank goodness we managed to finish the game before the heavens opened! 
This photo was taken by another parent at the end of the game...well done boys and coach!

Ross is bottom row in the centre...


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