New Year #94

Daily painting #94 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

2013 saw me start a project I never dreamed possible...I have written in the Daily Painting page on this blog about the struggles and roller coaster ride of completing a painting daily. I would like to share this with you ...

An artist's lament

Torment of the blank page. Passionless, dull, average, mediocre, or cliche, overdone, too much, over thought, overcrowded

Torment of commonplace, usual, everyday, ordinary, mundane, or boring, overcooked, overblown, too busy, excessive

Torment of the insincere, unfelt, artificial, hypocritical, or talent-less, pedestrian, lazy, formulaic, shallow

Torment of the run of the mill, dishonest, unmoved, insipid, or rushed, sleeplessness, sloth, attempt, failure, excess, disappointment

Torment of challenging nature, never perfection

But the torment of never trying, the greatest torment of all

-Edith Dora Rey

We are naturally so self critical and so many opportunities can pass us by because we never had the courage to simply try....everything begins with a decision to try! So my New Year wish for you is that you find the courage, whatever your passion, to try something you never thought possible...you just never know....  Looking forward to an exciting year ....only 6 more days to go to 100 little daily paintings....I NEVER thought that was possible! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 (Poem taken from colour, obsession, joy and torment www.dailypainters.com)

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In the garden #93

Daily painting #93. 5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

Today was a day of catching up on chores around the house! We leave at the end of the week to go away on holiday and a few things needed doing! I managed to get quite a few of the chores on my 'To do...' list ticked off ....except of course the things I needed to do in the garden. It is so incredibly hot....I got as far as painting the roses and any intentions I had of feeding them or working on them were quickly forgotten in the heat of the day ...the swimming pool had far more appeal!! We have had hot but beautiful days lately and by the time I post this in the morning it will be the beginning of the last day of 2013! I would like to thank those of you who visit my page on a regular basis for all your support...2013 has been good to me and I hope it has been good to you too! If you are new to my blog and visiting for the first time....welcome...and I hope you visit again soon...in 2014! Please leave a message I would love to get to know you...

I wonder how many daily paintings 2014 holds in store for me? As you prepare to celebrate the end of 2013 and the arrival of the New Year....stay safe folks...and HAPPY NEW YEAR from Paintings in the post ....see you again in 2014!

Remember all available daily paintings can be viewed in my online shop at http://paintingsinthepost.tictail.com or click on the highlighted writing below....

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Marinated olives #92

Daily painting 92. 4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

I love to cook! I love shopping for delicious ingredients ...and I am one of those people who buy recipe books as a hobby and read them from cover to cover like others would a novel...and yet I rarely cook using a recipe unless of course it is to bake and specific measurements are needed! So in case you thought I was just greedy....you now know why so many of my paintings include food....food is just part of my daily creative fix whether it is in the kitchen or in my studio...I am inspired by the textures, colours, smells and tastes....
This festive season I made a HUGE jar of marinated olives ....a recipe which evolves each time I make it depending on the ingredients in my cupboard and the herbs growing in my garden! I never make a single batch ....they don't last long in this house ....but last week I made the biggest batch I have ever made in the largest glass jar I could find thinking they would last Christmas and New Year and could be used for snacks, salads, pastas and for our favourite type of lunch which my kids call 'pick and choose' where a variety of breads, cheeses, olives, left overs, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado etc etc etc is placed on the table and everyone makes their own meal depending on what they choose...

Well yesterday I went to place whatever I could find on the table for 'pick and choose' and discovered 4 little olives at the bottom of this huge jar!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes....my family have been dipping into the jar ...eating the olives like candy! So much for thinking they would last out the festive season! I guess next time I will have to make 2 HUGE jars of marinated olives!

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Late afternoon at the lake #91

Daily painting #91. 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

My daughter Amy received her own wooden traveling paintbox (full of paint, brushes etc) and has been desperate to use her gift! I now no longer have to share my things or have my 10 year old looking longingly over my shoulder while I paint! I know too well that desire to paint...that excitement at receiving a new tube of colour....the excitement of seeing new brushes and paint....and I am only too delighted that she shares this passion with me!

So we set off yesterday while the boys were at cricket to picnic and paint in Durban's Botanical Gardens. We had such a fun afternoon! I have shared some photos to Instagram if you would like to see...if you don't yet follow me on Instagram you can do so at http://instagram.com/heidishedlock 

By the time we had walked around, taken photos, enjoyed the beauty and had our picnic, we realized the bright summers day had changed ....it was cooler, it had clouded over and the wind had picked up....it was possibly even going to rain! We quickly set up our painting things! The weather didn't stop us, the cool was a welcome break from the heat and we spent a pleasant late afternoon at the lake!

Mother and daughter painting together.....I felt truly blessed!

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Protea in a turquoise pot #90

Daily painting #90 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

Proteas, especially King Proteas are getting harder to find as they are out of season and if you can find them they are incredibly expensive per stem! Boohoo....I love having proteas in my house (as those of you who follow my blog will know)!

Well my family know me so well.....they went to a local crafter who sits outside one of our supermarkets selling his products from the pavement. He constructs the most amazing things from wire and beads only! As South Africans we have become so accustomed to seeing this type of craft around that sadly not enough people appreciate the skill, craft and sculptural element that goes into creating a huge variety of things simply from beads and wire! Anyway....my darling family went off and asked him to make me some proteas!!!!! Yes....proteas (life sized) made out of beads and wire......they are stunning and no picture could do them justice....but here is one to show you...

Fresh...painted....or beaded....I do love proteas!





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Afternoon clouds #89

Daily painting #89. 5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

We all jumped out the swimming pool....thinking a storm was fast approaching! The clouds seemed to roll in, dark and ominous with the sudden strong wind and a dark shadow appeared on the horizon as it rained out at sea. Doors started to slam in the house and windows were quickly closed as great gusts of wind seemed to swirl around the house....I thought we were in for a huge storm!
But as fast as the strange weather and wind appeared, it disappeared just as quickly. Rain clouds blown away by the gusting wind!
I have a strange habit of observing the sky...I am drawn to observing the colours, movement, patterns and light in the sky....yesterday was really a dramatic visual symphony!

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Granny Jean's Christmas cake #88

Daily painting #88. 4"x6" oil painting in primed canvas board

Wow today was a busy day, but I am so close to reaching 100 days of little daily paintings that I had to find some time to paint! Actually it was a good thing....it forced me to sit down for a bit, take it slow, breathe and loose myself in paint (my best!!!!!) ....just what I actually needed on such a busy day!
All the family came to our house for Christmas lunch....it was a good day....Christmas just as it's meant to be....with those you love! I missed my cousin from Chicago who was with us last year....but I was with her in spirit and am looking forward to a catch up with her in Cape Town in the new year....I just can't wait!

So my heart is full as another Christmas comes to an end....but my tummy is full too!!! Way too much delicious food...I am grateful, but could not face up to another mouthful...not even Granny Jean's delicious Christmas cake! The last of my Christmas paintings....

Thank you to all of you who participated in my Christmas giveaway....Christmas was probably a crazy day to run a giveaway...it's just so busy but giving a painting away to someone who takes the time to follow my project just felt like the right thing to do! So thank you for joining in the fun....if you didn't win...don't be disappointed I will do another giveaway in the beginning of the year ...so keep watching! My kids helped me out this morning before I posted this....all the names went into the Christmas hat and my daughter Amy pulled out the name.....BEV SPARKS! Well done Bev...please contact me at heidishedlock@gmail.com with your mailing address!

The boys are off to watch a South African cricket test match....I think the girls are going to have a lazy day around the pool...and maybe a little painting! Hope you have a restful day too!

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Christmas gift #87

Daily painting #87. 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The Blessings of Peace
The Beauty of Hope
The Spirit of Love
The Comfort of Faith
May these be your gifts this Christmas!

May these be your gifts regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas or not....everyone deserves PEACE, HOPE, LOVE and FAITH!

Being Christmas I am in the spirit of giving and have decided to give today's painting away to a Paintings in the post follower on my Facebook page. Visit the Paintings in the post Facebook page to find out how to participate in the giveaway....you must like the page and write Peace in the comments box to be a part of the lucky draw. The winner will be announced on the 26th December. Let's share some peace, hope, love and faith this Christmas!

Have a blessed day and Happy Christmas ....all my love Heidi

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Visitor #86

Daily painting #86. 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

I was sitting on the floor in my bedroom wrapping Christmas presents with the door to the outside verandah wide open to try and get a slight breeze inside....it is extremely hot and humid after all the rain we have had. My attention was suddenly drawn to some birds that were making a huge fuss outside and I jumped up to see if maybe one of the cats were teasing them. I then realized what all the noise was about ...the bird feeders which usually hang up to attract all the beautiful birds we have around had been taken down during the rain and high winds we had not so long ago...and these little visitors were screaming for their food!

I put the feeder back up and for ages we had the little birds flocking back to perch on the railings, peck at the feeder, chirp and fluff out their feathers as if to say..."it's about time you put our food back!" I didn't realize how much I have missed our little visitors and can't believe I have been so busy I didn't even notice they were not there! Time to slow down and enjoy the little things I think....

One day to go until Christmas.... I hope you are slowing down too!

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"Spring onions #85"

Daily painting #85. 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board 

A delicious breakfast with my husband and children, a shop at the market (which included these spring onions), a long lazy lunch with family, good food and wine, swimming in the pool, beautiful weather.....I love the holidays!!! 

I also love the children's excitement at this time of year...Christmas is truly a magical time for them and they are counting the sleeps! I hope you too are finding some time to relax and not still falling in the trap of Christmas chaos and last minute shopping! If you feel like all you have done is shop around for the perfect gift for those close to you and feel like spoiling YOURSELF for a change....visit my online shop and give yourself the gift of a little painting! A painting lasts forever and is the perfect gift.... It gives you endless pleasure! You can visit the shop in many ways...click on "visit my shop" the rainbow coloured button on the left of the page or click on the link "Heidi Shedlock Fine Art" highlighted below or visit www.paintingsinthepost.tictail.com 

My online shopping site is a safe secure shopping option and if you live in South Africa you can always contact me directly at heidishedlock@gmail.com

With only 2 days to go, I hope you are starting to feel the "Christmas love"! I know I feel so blessed to spend this time with my family as, for too many, Christmas is sometimes a difficult time! I know I am counting my blessings!

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View on a Summers day #84

Daily painting #84. 4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

Yesterday our Durban weather came back to give us a slap on the wrists for moaning about all the rain we have had! It punished us with high humidity levels and a real 'stinker of a day' ( a slang way of saying it was just too HOT!). My children spent the day in the pool lathered in sun block lotion from head to toe! There was no way I was tucking myself up inside my studio to paint a still life!

So....I settled on my upstairs verandah! I could watch the children in the pool below and I had the most beautiful view over the tree tops and out to sea where a little ship was balancing on the horizon. It was so hot the light had a hazy, blurred effect and quite frankly I was forced, more than ever, to simply and quickly record in paint....the lure of my children calling for me to come join them in the pool was too great....I headed straight down to cool off  and have some fun with my kids! Summer is here....

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Two cherries and a silver Christmas ball #83

Daily painting #83  6"x4" oil painting on primed canvas board

I love the atmosphere of Christmas... There is something magical about this time of year! 

My cats are enjoying it too....the Christmas tree is a great source of entertainment with all those shiny balls just waiting to play 'hit and catch" and when they finally fall off, the shiny balls like this silver one are such fun to chase around the room!! Let's hope the whole tree doesn't come tumbling down!

 This silver ball was rescued from the cat yesterday, he was staring at it pawing the image of the cat reflecting back at him.... He just couldn't understand why I took his new found friend away!

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Protea for Christmas #82

Daily painting #82. 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas panel

So which flowers will be gracing my table on Christmas Day when the family come for lunch? 

Of course...proteas! Christmas decor with a bit of a South African touch! A bit of rustic meets traditional... Some grass hand woven placemats, glass, crystal, silver balls, rustic candle sticks and some beautiful vibrant proteas to take centre stage! Do you also have fun decorating the table for Christmas? Now that I have planned my Christmas table I need to give some thought to the menu...the only serious consideration I have given to food lately is when I am painting it! Tomorrow I need to find some culinary inspiration ....

Enjoy this simple protea... They really are one of my favorite flowers! I love the fact that yesterday I sat using tiny brushes to build up a fairly realistic image of mince pies. Today, I worked with bigger brushes, enjoying the build up of dollops of wet paint that could be moved around and worked back into. Teaching forces you to be able to move out of your comfort zone and embrace many techniques or else your students will all end up painting like carbon copies of yourself. I try hard to help my students find their own individual style. It has taken me a long while to embrace being able to shift the way I work with my brushes and my paint (depending on my mood) as being something positive rather than a hindrance ....it keeps me on my toes and keeps me experimenting with paint and every painting should be an exploration!

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Christmas mince pies #81

Daily painting #81. 5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas panel

Today has been a hard day ....we all have those sometimes! My mum was admitted to hospital for some tests and I have spent the day pacing around, doing nothing and worrying too much! I will get a real blasting from her if she reads this post...her attitude is always "don't worry it doesn't help...just makes you feel worse...and things always work out!" Well, I worried anyway and struggled to settle in my studio and actually couldn't even face up to doing any painting....

Then I started to read all the awesome comments from some of you who follow my daily painting. A loyal supporter (you will know who you are)  sent me a message to say she looks forward to my paintings everyday.... And another said she had been waiting to see some Christmas images....and there were many more encouraging comments ....wow...how you all cheered me up! You all made my day. I pulled myself together ....and painted...and loved it!

I am reminded of 2 important things today...

1. Always take the opportunity to say something nice to someone...you never know how much they might be needing your generosity of spirit (thank you people)
2. When I avoid painting....it is normally the time when my head (and soul) need it the most! So paint...

Kind people, painting, coffee and delicious mince pies saved the day.... Thank you x

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Christmas tree #80

Daily painting #80. 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas panel

Today I have completed 80 days of little dinky daily paintings...random recordings of the mundane and everyday! With Christmas only a week away, I decided it was time to add a bit of festive cheer! A random recording of  a shiny Christmas bauble hanging on the tree... I love Christmas trees!

This year my children decorated the tree ....they wanted to do it by themselves! I think they did a fine job....don't you?  So in the lead up to Christmas .... Stay safe, have fun, love those close to you, take some time to slow down and recharge...most importantly remember the reason for the season!

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Hardy roses #79

Daily painting #79. 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board SOLD

About 2 years ago we adopted two puppies from a local animal welfare called Animal Anti-cruelty. They are both beautiful 'children' but I am afraid they have been the absolute destruction of my already desperate garden! Regularly the ladies arriving for art classes, besides having to avoid being bowled over by over enthusiastic welcomes from my puppies (actually fully grown but still behaving like puppies), they have to dodge the large craters that have been dug in the garden! About the only 'safe' patch in my garden, or should I say the only plants that have not been chewed or dug up are the roses...I think their only saving grace being their vicious thorns! But while they have been saved from the dogs they have been neglected by me...I no longer spray with all the horrid poisons which supposedly kill bugs, prevent disease and 'care' for the blooms and the rose food which they used to be lavished with, gets eaten by the pups! 

Despite this the faithful plants continue to provide me with beautiful flowers...for how much longer I am not too sure! As for the rest of the garden...I think it's time for 'the pups' to learn that at 2years old they need to calm down....

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Sunday afternoon #78

Daily painting #78. 6" x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Today was a beautiful summers day and we had a quality family day spending time around the swimming pool. It is a momentous day in South African history.... Nelson Mandela has been laid to rest at his family homestead. And today, 15 December, would have been my Dad's 67th birthday!

We chose to spend the day together as a family at home and as I reflect on the day I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for! I had a little helper today when I settled on the verandah with my  paintbox. The afternoon sky was just starting to morph into evening and some heavy clouds where pushing their way across the sky bringing a light drizzle of rain to cool us off a bit....I thought I would capture the changing sky over the tree tops in our garden. I wasn't counting on my daughter being desperate to join me....

After setting her up with her own little palette, some paint, a canvas board etc...I finally settled down to paint. But with the barrage of questions and excited chattering in my ear from Amy my (quite selfish) total absorption in my little painting was impossible and not nearly as successful as I had initially hoped...but then again what could be more successful and enjoyable than sitting painting with my little girl, seeing her own enthusiasm for paint! I think I am actually the luckiest Mum in the world!

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Bunch of Proteas #77

Daily painting # 77  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board.  SOLD

This bunch of proteas have been on the table on my verandah for a while....I love the fact that they last so long, but they are nearing the end of their 'vase life'! A few more days and they will need replacing with some other blooms. I couldn't help trying to capture their beauty and colour before their time is up!

Time is nearly up for the 30% off  opening store offer... So get your shopping done now...time is nearly up! Shop by clicking on the link http://bit.ly/1hDqNfQ

Enjoy what is left of the weekend.... X

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Blue and Red # 76

Daily painting #76  5"x7" oil painting in primed canvas board SOLD

Cadmium Red and Alizeron Crimson.... Ultramarine, Prussian, Cobalt and Cerulean....Red and Blue! Beautiful colours!

Just a few more paintings and I have been daily painting for 80 days....WOW...who would have thought....an amazing journey! Thank you for all your support.....

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Peachy pair #75

Daily painting #75  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

A peachy pair....two juicy bright dessert peaches! Painting peaches always makes me think of Cezanne's still life paintings...such bold, loose, confident brushstrokes of pure colour...a master! The rest of us...well we just keep trying! Every success begins with the decision to try....

A few days left to get 30% off all the paintings listed in my shop. Use the promo code JINGLE at checkout!

http://bit.ly/1hDqNfQ

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Happy days #74

Daily painting #74. 5"x7" oil painting in primed canvas board

"Happy days" ....a bit of a slang way of say "having a good day" or " have a good day" or " I am feeling great"
The sun is back....and the sky is sporting a fine shade of blue...."happy days"!!! I have forgotten the last time the sky was blue and the sun was making its appearance in the morning sky. I love sitting and painting on my bedroom verandah, it looks out over the sea, but with all the rain we have had I have hardly seen the sea some days and the sky has been gloomy and dull! But today I got to go back to my favourite spot.... "Happy days" ...a quick painting sketch of some colour in the sky...at long last!
But as I write this evening, I can hear the soft patter of rain again....oh dear... Lucky we all got to soak up a little sun today! Even my animals enjoyed a bit of sun....if only for a while!

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Madiba rose #73

Daily painting #73. 6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board.  SOLD

You would be forgiven for thinking this is pushing it too far..."she has painted a rose for Madiba on the day of his Memorial...really!!!!" However, the Madiba rose is a real actual hybrid developed by Ludwig roses here in South Africa and named after Madiba when he was our president. It is a mauve toned sweet pink, it has a deep perfume and rather unusual because the bud is a deep plum colour with yellow at the base. A flowering bush is too beautiful with all this varied rich colour. Today just seemed like an appropriate day to share it and paint one for you.....

Last night I painted until late...exhausted, I dumped what seemed like every brush in my studio into jars of turps and left them.... This morning, after watching the beginnings of Nelson Mandela's Memorial on television, I felt emotional and otherwise and didn't feel like facing up to my 'mess' in the studio! So I shoved the jars of dirty brushes aside and used the palette knife to paint today! I enjoyed moving the paint around, scratching into it and making even more mess (literally pink from head to toe) and my mood quickly lifted. So today's painting is a bit different .... But then today has been a different day, a sad day...today we said our 'goodbyes' to Madiba.....

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Milk and doughnut #72

Daily painting #72 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Doughnuts dripping in icing...treats for the kids and their friends. What was I thinking......excess energy and sugar overload induced 'high' on a rainy afternoon! That will teach me....

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Toys - Plastic Pig #71

Daily painting #71  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art  - for a limited time, get 30% off with the promo code JINGLE.

So why a toy plastic pig you're probably wondering...right? Well ...these are 'random recordings in paint' and I guess you don't get more random than painting your children's toy farm animals!

I was having one of those 'grumpy Mommy moments' moaning about bedrooms, things that needed to be picked up and packed away and threatening to get rid of some of the toys (Please tell me you have these moments too ....?!!!) when I came across a big plastic box containing all sorts of toy creatures, animals and figurines. They were actually toys that my son played with...he loved playing with toy animals and at one stage we couldn't leave the house without him clutching one in his hand! (He is now 12 and farm animals are not quite so cool anymore!) I felt quite nostalgic digging through the box....who would think a box of toy creatures could bring back so many memories! There is something special about preserving the memory of a favorite toy....and it is not the first or probably the last time I will paint one of my children's toys!

So, as idle as those 'mad mommy moment' threats tend to be, I placed the lid on the box....threw NO toys out and painted one instead.... A random plastic toy pig!

Patriotic Protea #70

Daily painting #70  6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board   SOLD

Still a bit patriotic today ...but on a much lighter note....

I was painting in the studio and my son was standing behind me watching! He thought it was wonderful that I was painting a Protea in support of our National Cricket team (whose official team name is the Proteas). Being cricket crazy (cricket is a popular sport here in SA) both my son and husband are off to watch the Proteas take on the Indian cricket team here at Durban's cricket stadium tomorrow! So of cause I must be painting a protea as a show of support... according to my son! Well I didn't have the heart to tell him that cricket was the furtherest thing on my mind as I sat painting and my choice of protea had something to do with shape, colour, texture and a genuine love for the flowers, rather than anything to do with patriotic support for our national team! 

That being said, hope the Proteas (as in the team) have a great game tomorrow! I think the girls will be heading off instead for some retail therapy (dreaded Christmas shopping actually) at our local mall. Don't forget to visit my new online store, use the code JINGLE and redeem 30% off the purchase of a daily painting ....if you too are in need of a little retail therapy or perhaps a little spoiling! Happy shopping ....

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Nelson Mandela - Madiba - Father of the Nation #69

Daily painting #69  8"x10" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

A portrait painting in one painting session...as my daily painting! I really pushed myself today... normally I like to mull over a portrait allowing it to dry, while I study it and then work back into it glazing layers of transparent colours and slowly finding that likeness. BUT... today I was inspired! Inspired by a man who inspired our nation... and today we are a nation in mourning.

Daily painting is about capturing with immediacy an image. Technically, I make no excuses for this portrait. It evolved in its own way (larger than my regular daily paintings)...wet paint on wet paint....a tribute to the 'Father of our Nation'. On the 21 March each year we stop for a national holiday in honour of human rights. It's the day we commemorate the Sharpville Massacre where 69 people were killed. Today is daily painting #69 (no significance other than coincidence) and Madiba will forever be remembered as our nation's most iconic human rights campaigner.

This legendary man taught our nation (and the world) many lessons, the most important of which I believe is forgiveness: "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background or his religion. People learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite!" May our current leaders continue to draw on Madiba's wisdom....perhaps this will be our biggest struggle yet....

Madiba your 'long walk to freedom' is finally over....your footprints will last an eternity...RIP

Hamba Kahle....Siyabonga!

(Go well....we thank you)

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Announcement! New shop and 30% off!

I'm almost 70 days into my Daily Painting project and I have exciting news to share... I have a shiny new online shop! It's a secure way for you to buy my paintings (you can shop safely using any major credit card or Paypal) and it doubles as an online gallery for my work.  

To celebrate the new store, and thank you all for your amazing support, I'm running a little holiday sale! For the next week (7-14 December), I'm offering 30% off the price of every painting. Just enter the promo code JINGLE at checkout ... and have a very merry happy holiday season!  (PS: Feel free to share the promo code!)

Visit Heidi Shedlock Fine Art 

Summer mango #68

Daily painting #68 5"x7. Oil painting on primed canvas board

It has continued to rain on and off again today so I had no choice but to paint in the studio. A few days ago I found some delicious green mangoes at the market and they are beginning to ripen and full my kitchen with the most heavenly summer scent of sweet tropical mango! I can't wait to be able to enjoy them for breakfast but considering our weather has been anything but summery with all the rain and clouds I decided to bring a little bit of summer onto my canvas. Hope you can ALMOST smell that sweet scent of tropical summer too.....

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Garden Aloe #67

Daily painting #67. 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

We have had SO much rain lately....even as I write this post this evening ....the rain is lashing against my studio window! We seem to go to sleep most nights to the sound of rain...we have had tropical storms and huge winds but thank goodness, being summer it is not cold! This morning we woke up to sunshine (although by lunchtime it had clouded over again) and it was so lovely to be outside in the garden, I couldn't resist painting outdoors today....something I haven't been able to do in a while!

I sat painting a large aloe that grows at the side of my house. I have to own up to using a bit of artistic license ....the flowers are actually dead, drooping and about to fall (it flowers in winter) but I couldn't help enlivening them on my little canvas. I love the coral tones in the flowers and besides....the colour 'coral' is the latest fashion trend....I am told.... and we can all do with being a little trendy every now and again....even an aloe!

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Jam sandwich #66

Daily painting #66  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

The humble sandwich has found its way onto many artists canvases....I tend to associate sandwiches with school lunch boxes!!! In South Africa our children don't eat school lunches provided by school. We have to send a snack and packed lunch with them to school, although most schools have a shop (known as the 'tuck shop') where you can purchase food and sweets etc ...it tends to be used more for a treat than providing daily sustenance! My kids are a bit spoilt. I tend to make an effort to pack delicious lunches! So my morning routine once the family are up and in the kitchen (and a cup of coffee is down the hatch) is to set about packing lunch....a chore I am delighted to have a break from when the holidays arrive!

So....NO MORE sandwiches and school lunch boxes for 6 weeks....YIPPEE!!! 
(I think many Mums will agree!)

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Holidays begin #65

Daily painting #65  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

It was a good feeling this morning to wake up to holidays (read "long summer vacation"dear American friends out there)!!  I am an early riser, the early morning is my best time of day, so of course I was still awake EARLY! I could enjoy the morning...no morning school rush! There was time to enjoy...go slow...drink an extra cup of coffee and ease into what the day had to offer. Early mornings are always full of anticipation for what the day may bring.... right now I am anticipating a good summer holiday with loads of quality family time...my best!

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A row of red #64

Daily painting #64  4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

Sorry to bore you with more cherries....but I just can't get enough of these juicy little crimson gems! They have taken centre stage again today...an upright leader setting them straight...another raised in applause ... one turning shyly away ... and others taking their final bow....a royal show of crimson!

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First cherries #63

Daily painting #63  6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

It must be nearing Christmas....cherries are on sale again at the market and the food stores! YUM!!! I love cherries! Fresh, juicy little treats that even look like Christmas.... like shiny red Christmas baubles...good enough to eat!

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I had to share these sweet little images with you ....

My daughter Amy, who is 10 years old and loves spending time pottering around in my studio, decided to start a little daily drawing in one of her sketch books. Tomorrow she will do daily drawing #30 and I am so proud of her! Every afternoon she finds an image in one of her picture books and focusing mainly on shape and spatial relationships she does her little drawing completely independently...no help from busy Mom! She is self motivated and so enthusiastic....daily completion of an image takes dedication...I am so proud of her commitment and passion...long may it last!

Paintbrush #62

Daily painting #62  4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board  SOLD

It is the end of the last full week of studio classes for the year...WOW... how fast the year seems to have flown by! Hope the paintbrushes aren't left to go hard over the holidays...

Keep those paintbrush miles ticking over ladies... keep those brushes working!
Happy holidays....

Shelly #61

Daily painting #61  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

One of my furry children have been sick! The other morning we realized that my rather fat old lady Shelly cat was nowhere to be found...she is normally under our feet at breakfast time, crying for water out of the fridge (she only drinks cold water!!!) And generally demanding cuddles, scratches and attention from whoever will show interest! She is a homely old girl and so panic set in when we realized she was nowhere to be seen! A massive hunt followed...my husband eventually found her in the thick bush in the public garden adjacent to our house ...she was limp, fatigued and something was wrong!

We wrapped her in a blanket, sped off to our vet and the poor girl spent the night in "kitty hospital" on a drip and antibiotics. We are still not sure what happened, at first I thought it could be a snake bite but couldn't find any puncture wounds...so we will never know! But she is home ....and it is so good to see her sleeping in her favorite spot on the carpet in the lounge! Hope she is on the mend!

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Threatening rain #60

Daily painting #60  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

From one extreme to the next! Yesterday we were sweltering in the heat....today we have been running for cover as short bursts of rain fell! Yesterday the light was so intense in the afternoon, I struggled to paint outdoors...today it was gloomy and dull! As hard as the sun tried to make an appearance, the rain clouds just kept hovering, threatening more rain!

60 days of daily paintings today...thank you to all of you who send me messages of encouragement and comments....I love hearing from you all and your feedback is much appreciated!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and family!

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Summer light #59

Daily painting #59  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Today has been a sweltering hot, sticky summers day! The typical Durban humidity was testing our resistance for the months ahead! My children came straight home from school and jumped into the swimming pool! I settled in the breeze (what little there was) on my bedroom veranda which overlooks the pool, so that I could paint...and be a responsible Mommy watching my kids swim at the same time! 

However the light was so intense that the colours were awful, the painting a flop and I was getting hot and bothered!!! I picked up a new canvas and looking out over the tree tops, our house is high up overlooking a public park dense with trees, I decided to stop fighting the light and paint it! The sky was so bright it was almost white....but not quite! So today's painting is a quick sketch with paint...I had fun making marks in the paint, I worked quickly and captured a fleeting image! After my quick sketch I headed straight to the pool to cool off!

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Bowl of white #58

Daily painting #58  6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

Today was a busy day...catching up on chores, doing admin (my worst) and trying to get my house back in order after the weekend exhibition. The paintings are all sorted and ready to return to their owners, my house is looking like my 'home' again and some little paintings are packaged and ready to travel! The only evidence remaining of the weekends celebrations is the bowls of flowers!

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Bunny on the floor #57

Daily painting #57  6"x8" oil on primed canvas board

It is nearing the end of another happy weekend. Fun has been had by all and my daughter has been playing up a storm! Little plastic villages and fluffy creatures, dolls and figurines camp out on the floor. Some are having tea parties, some are tucked into little miniature beds and others like 'Mommy bunny' have been left on the floor, abandoned ....for now....school holidays are a week away...and then let the playing begin!! For now though...it's tidy up time! 

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Cerulean #56

Daily painting #56  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

"I found I could say things with colour and shapes and paint that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."

GEORGIA O'KEEFFE

A calm, relaxing afternoon after a busy week....just me...and my paints....

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