Peach and cherries #244

Daily painting #244 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

LAST DAY OF THE FREE POSTAGE WORLDWIDE OFFER FOR THE MONTH OF MAY!!!! So visit the online store!

My studio is starting to look and smell like a fruit stall or market (not that I am complaining) . All I need is a tub of delicious Greek yoghurt and I would have a feast of a breakfast right here in my studio! Although as I mentioned yesterday ....these cherries are good for nothing other than painting!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Cherries on the shelf #243

Daily painting #243. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT OF THE FREE POSTAGE FOR MAY OFFER!!!

Cherries are not really in season but I found some in one of our local supermarkets and couldn't resist buying some. They taste awful and have been imported and flown in from some far off place and although they look delicious, they taste just plain bland and nothing like cherries at all. However they are the most delightful little studio models! I love painting cherries! 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings )

4 inch nail #242

Daily painting #242. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

So why a 4 inch nail you are asking yourself right? You would be forgiven for thinking I had finally lost the plot, however this little painting made me realize even more so the value of little daily paintings....

Firstly a construction company finally arrived to fix my kitchen ceiling yesterday which collapsed due to a leaking geyser....I think I told you about it...but after nearly 3 weeks of haggling with the insurance the repair work finally started! Last night after they had cleared themselves out (my house looked like a war zone for most of the day), I found this huge 4 inch nail lying on the kitchen counter...it looked like a weapon of sorts! With all the chaos I had yet to find some quiet time to do my daily painting and so my children joked about the 'lethal looking' nail being the subject of my daily painting.....it seemed rather a stupid thing to paint but I decided to give it a go....a little bit of quirky every now and again is good....

Well little did I know what I was in for....something so simple should be easy to paint! HA! Think again!!! I struggled for ages to try create the form and the subtle contrast between object and shadow....I struggled to create the illusion of the actual object as opposed to something that just looked like a stripe along the canvas! I struggled with the subtle tonal values and neutral color! Wow who would have thought a little 4 inch nail would take so long to paint! I am reminded again and again of the value of painting these little daily studies. They are little struggles that challenge my technique, commitment, perseverance and even my nerves....it is not about WHAT I paint but HOW I paint it! These little daily challenges and struggles are necessary to make me a better painter and hopefully provide more insight when I am tackling larger pieces of work. I am humbled by the little 4 inch nail in the knowledge that there is always much to learn in this journey as a painter ....one really is a constant student and as long as we remain eager to embrace struggles there is always more to learn...even if as in this case the teacher is a simple 4 inch nail!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Sennelier paint tube #241

Daily painting #241 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Last week to make use of the FREE POSTAGE worldwide for month of May offer so visit the online store!

Well I never did get around to painting the roses. We have had such high midday temperatures (around 29-30 degrees Celsius) that the two roses in the vase looked awful by this afternoon when I returned to my studio to work on my little daily painting. (In a few days time it is supposed to be winter!!!!) Besides that I didn't really feel like painting more roses....so I was secretly pleased but was now lacking inspiration for what to paint today...
Well what can be more inspiring than a heavy, full tube of juicy luscious paint! I couldn't paint without a beautiful deep rich crimson as part of my palette and I am particularly fond of the Sennelier crimson....it is a deep, rich color....almost yummy!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Rose #240

Daily painting #240. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Only 1week left of the FREE POSTAGE worldwide for month of May offer so visit the online store!

On opening up a wrapped up bunch of roses the other day to place them in a vase, I realized that two of the roses had damaged stems. I cut them both down and placed them in a separate little vase and took them up to my studio thinking they would be the perfect little models! Well I haven't really felt like painting roses and so they have been left sitting on their little still life stage, neglected. They have now opened up completely and probably only have a day or so life left in them ....this bloom is starting to droop over....and I am feeling guilty at not having made good use of some perfect little models! So....another rose....perhaps tomorrow I will paint the whole vase and both roses....

Tomorrow this large canvas (2m by 1.2m) will be heading off to its new home. I showed you the size of the canvas a while ago, comparing it to the size of the little daily paintings! It's been such fun working on such a huge canvas again, especially because I know it is going to a special family! I have to admit though I am going to miss not having the ocean indoors any longer....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Little milk jug #239

Daily painting #239. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

LAST WEEK of the FREE POSTAGE worldwide for May offer! 

It has been a busy weekend....10 little girls for supper and a sleep over! A belated birthday party for my daughter! Wow, I need a weekend now.....! They all had loads of fun and it was lovely to have them stay over but I have to be honest, that cup of tea once everyone had gone home was the best cup of tea ever! This is one tired Mommy......

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Mini Rosa Tomatoes #238

Daily painting #238. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for remainder of May....only 1week left so visit the online store!

These little rosa tomatoes never last long in my fridge! They are small, sweet and burst with flavor as you bite into them! Perfect for salads, roasted (in good olive oil and balsamic) or as a snack just as they are .....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Orchid #237

Daily painting #237. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel  

FREE POSTAGE worldwide for remainder of May....one week left of this special offer so visit the online store! 

One of the orchids on my veranda is flowering again.....such a delicate bloom! These buds are so heavy however that they are hanging over with the weight...

I want to say a huge thank you to Garden and Home magazine who have featured Paintings in the post in the June edition! How exciting....a big dose of gratitude to Candice and the rest of the team!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Winter morning #236

Daily painting #236. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

The sunrise has shifted north of our eastern coastline and is now no longer beating through my bedroom windows in the early morning with such intensity. Winter is on its way (finally) and the mornings have a beautiful crisp chill in the air. I do love our subtle Durban winter! Painting in the early mornings is pleasant even though it is a little chilly and if you are wanting to catch a good sunrise you can still sleep for a little longer rather than be up at about 4.30 am! This morning the sky was soft with gentle wispy changes in color....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Roses in a blue and white pot #235

Daily painting #235. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May so visit the online store!

The composition of this little painting worries me and as always the roses were a challenge!! It didn't help that I started this little painting in the morning then had to leave it and only managed to return to it later in the evening. The light and mood was different and of course the light catching and shaping the form in the roses was completely different....it was just one of those days....a challenge...in more ways than one!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

China cup and strawberries #234

Daily painting #234. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas board

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May so visit the online store!

Well it's not hard to guess what has been on my breakfast menu this week! I thought the combination of these vibrant red strawberries and my little broken treasure worked well together....both fragile, yet appealing! This little rose china cup has a broken handle and sits on the shelf in my studio....I am sure I have painted it before....I love little treasures like this! A combination of little gems in my studio today! 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Strawberry and blueberries #233

Daily painting #233. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Some juicy little gems to start the day.....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click in the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Birds on the wire #232

Daily painting #232. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

The weekend got off to a really windy start. My little wooden bird feeder was being thrashed around and knocking against the pillar on my upstairs bedroom veranda. I decided to bring it in and forgot on Saturday to put it back out again. This morning I woke up early to the sound of birds chirping and chattering. They were gathered along the telephone wire which is normally their safe retreat from my cat when he gets too close to the feeder. They were making a huge noises....kicking up a fuss that there was no breakfast in sight! One or two would fly up to the feeder (which wasn't there) and then retreat back to the wire to chatter and chirp away! Of course I braved the chilly morning air and went out to hang the feeder again. There have been a flurry of birds feasting all day....

FREE POSTAGE worldwide for the month of May so visit the online store!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Protea #231

Daily painting #231. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

I love weekends and spending time with my little family! I hope you are having a good weekend too....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

A little bit of heat #230

Daily painting #230. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

A little bit of heat.....! This little red gem is going to spice up the marinade for my chicken tonight. But first to capture the beautiful red tones in paint.....

Have a great weekend everyone!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Where are the monkeys? #229

Daily painting #229. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for remainder of May so visit my online store!

Yesterday I received a message from a friend who supports a non-profit organization (actually a husband and wife team) here in Durban called Monkey helpline. This couple have dedicated their life to helping and rehabilitating our Vervet monkeys who live in the city. Now many consider these monkeys pests, however their natural habitat has simply been invaded by development and food is scarce and the troops are susceptible to more dangers...cars knocking them over as they follow their natural route....attacks from dogs in gardens ....and even the dangers of callous, senseless humans who shoot at them with pellet guns in an attempt to chase them away! We have a troop who live in the trees in the park and public gardens bordering our home and we love to watch them interacting and playing in the tree tops! The mommies and their babies are too precious to watch! They do occasionally climb in through the kitchen window to feast on delights in my fruit bowl but generally they keep their distance because of my dogs. Anyway....yesterday the message I received was that a little baby monkey from this troop had been found injured with broken bones (I am not sure what caused this but it certainly wouldn't have been natural causes). The monkey helpline have rehabilitated the baby and are wanting to reintroduce her to the troop and hopefully reunite her with her mother. I was asked to look out for the troop and let them know if I saw them and they would come straight away.....

Needless to say my children and I have been scanning the afternoon skyline and tree tops all afternoon for monkeys...but nothing yet! I do hope this little baby Vervet monkey can be reunited with her Mom!

This image is not my own but sourced from a sight offering free downloadable images.

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click the highlighted writing to view gallery if available daily paintings)

Protea #228

Daily painting #228. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE POSTAGE worldwide for the month of May so visit the online store!

I haven't painted any proteas in a while because I haven't bought any recently ...which is most unlike me! But yesterday our local florist had an amazing variety of proteas in buckets all over the shop...all different shapes, sizes, colors, textures.....ooooohhhh....I felt like a kid in a candy store with so much choice! 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

"Lollipop, lollipop #227"

Daily painting #227 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

My husband has been on a trip down memory lane playing golden oldie songs to the kids! Of course he has been singing along and bopping to them and the kids have been looking on in horror wondering what dinosaur age Dad crept out of....you get the picture right? Well today when I sat down to paint this gorgeous red lollipop (in South Africa they are generally referred to as a 'sucker'), I couldn't help but start to sing the tune of "Lollipop, lollipop/oh lollie, lollie, lollie...." .....a real golden oldie pop song which was definitely way before my time but a catchy tune all the same! The problem is I have not been able to get the repetitive lyrics and catchy tune out of my head all day and so once this blog post is written, I am putting this little daily painting into the furthest corner (out of sight) of my studio to dry in the hopes that out of sight, out of mind.....! No more lollipops for a while I think....they are detrimental to my sanity!

FREE POSTAGE worldwide for the month of May so visit the online tictail store and receive a painting in the post!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Bath time #226

 Daily painting #226. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE POSTAGE worldwide for the remainder of May....so visit my online store!

It has been a long time since one of these little yellow rubber ducks were floating in the bathtubs in my house but if you are a regular reader you will know how nostalgic I am and so this little guy is still around (some call it nostalgia ....my husband calls it being a hoarder....unable to throw anything away....take your pick). I actually found him in my studio and have painted him before for a piece that was in an exhibition dealing with the object and belonging. I couldn't resist painting him again this morning....I mean who doesn't have fond childhood memories of yellow rubber ducks and bath time? Or maybe you associate a yellow duck with Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman whose 54 foot high bright yellow inflatable artwork made its way through harbors throughout the world! Either way it is amazing how an image can speak universally despite the language you use....images are more powerful than words (apologies to all you amazing writers out there....this is a personal opinion and no offense intended!) 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Breakfast time #225

Daily painting #225. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May....so visit the online store!

I have a bird feeder hanging outside my bedroom. It has been hung high up, out of the reach of my cats! The birds however are messy eaters and there is always a scattering of seeds that fall onto the floor below....and always one brave bird that decides to avoid the crowd sitting in the feeder to feast on the breakfast scatterings on the floor below! I say brave because my cats favorite sport in the mornings is to stalk the bird feeder even though he cannot reach it! For now the brave little feeders are too quick for him although they provide him with much amusement....but I dread the day his stealth outwits them!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Happy Mothers Day #224

Daily painting #224. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May so visit my online store by clicking the highlighted link below to view my gallery of available daily paintings!

A bunch of roses.....dedicated to all the mums out there that will be celebrating Mothers Day in South Africa tomorrow! May your Sunday be full of special memories and may you be surrounded by special people! Happy Mothers Day! 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Rose and a white jug #223

Daily painting #223. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May so visit my online store by clicking the highlighted link below to view my gallery of available daily paintings!

The weather has started to cool down a bit. Well, cool down by Durban standards....the temperatures for this week were between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius which for some may be summer weather but for us it is considerably cooler! Cooler weather means that the roses in a vase indoors are starting to last a little longer. They are actually having the time to open up into full blooms before wilting off ....this is good if you are wanting to paint them! Or at least practice painting them....I don't think painting roses, beautiful roses that is, will ever be easy....but I will keep practicing!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Little pink shoe #222

Daily painting #222  6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of May so visit my online store by clicking the highlighted link below to view my gallery of available daily paintings!

Nostalgia....a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time (Oxford Dictionary)

Such a simple little object ...a shoe....and yet it has the ability to evoke such emotion in me.....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

A catch #221

Daily painting #221. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

FREE SHIPPING worldwide for the remainder of MAY only (for online purchases). It's time for a little 'May Madness Special' ....so use this opportunity to receive a painting in the post!

Last seen at our new Durban fish market.....sporting all the latest shades of greys, silvers and blues....quite beautiful!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Voting Eve #220

Daily painting #220. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

As the sun sets in a rainbow of color this evening, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring. Tomorrow our rainbow nation will head off to the polls to vote for South Africa's leaders. I can't comprehend that there was once a time when the right to vote was denied to some and so if you have the right to vote .....I hope you are going to be making your mark tomorrow! I pray that it will be a peaceful day for all South Africans, free from intimidation and violence and I pray that the elected leaders whoever they are will have the leadership, governance and compassion to build our nation. May the sun set on a brighter future for all tomorrow(and yes that sounds all so idealistic but hey let's be positive)...I am off to make my mark....and if you are South African, I hope you are too.....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Garlic bulb #219

Daily painting #219. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel 

Mondays are chore days.....spent grocery shopping and stocking up for the week and just generally getting organized! Oh and did I tell you a leak in my geyser caused my kitchen ceiling to collapse and my kitchen was flooded......grrrrrr! Anyway at least none of us were standing in the kitchen at the time so I am grateful for small mercies! So my day has involved plumbers, insurance assessments and general chaos rather than organization.....a tip on how NOT to start the week! Can I lock myself in my studio tomorrow please.....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Rose study #218

Daily painting #218. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

A little study on how shadow and light combine to create form. Daily painting is not about creating masterpieces but about practicing and refining your skills as an artist. It allows one to solve problems and tackle challenges ....and certainly tests your discipline after a weekend of painting my heart out!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Prunes on a board #217

Daily painting #217. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

These pretty little prunes look like cherries but are about double the size of a large grape. I have no idea what I am going to do with 7 little fresh prunes but they looked good to paint....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Roses for me #216

Daily painting #216. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

My husband and daughter went off to the shop to buy a few groceries and came home with a bunch of roses for me! I am sure it was Amy's doing but Andrew was so proud of himself and the gesture was really sweet...he would never normally buy me flowers for no reason and I did jokingly ask if he had anything he needed to tell me....to which he responded with a really indignant look on his face! So now I have a beautiful bunch of flowers on my kitchen table....and for a change they weren't bought by me.....thank you Andrew! Very thoughtful indeed.....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)

Workers Day #215

Daily painting #215. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Today is Workers Day...a public holiday in South Africa. So no work, no school and supposedly a day of rest, although for a mum there is usually no rest from your 'mommy work'! Always something to do around the house and everyone still needs to eat! But I am sitting on my veranda with a chilled glass of wine and my husband is cooking! Of course it is over a fire....his favorite past time is to stoke up a fire and chill (relax) on his veranda. If you are a regular reader of Paintings in the Post you will know that I often tease him that he still has strong ties to his cave man roots ....he loves to sit around his fire! Although that being said, braaing (cooking over hot coals) is inbred in every South African! Well back to Workers Day....it looks like this Mommy really is being given the day off so I am saluting the cave man and his fire right now....and enjoying the view of the late afternoon sky from my veranda on Workers Day!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings)