Silver and red #428

Daily painting #428. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

My studio was given a good tidy up today and I was lucky enough to have some company in my studio to do my daily painting. My daughter Amy painted a few single strawberries while I decided to add a bit of silver....

Silver and red...a hint of Christmas colour!

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Scarlet Lake #427

Daily painting #427. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel 

Tomorrow is going to be 'studio tidy up day'!! I have been quite busy lately and so I have been slack about putting things back in their place, including paints! I have a pile of art books which have gathered on my table, half finished postcards for the postcard art group, brushes, paint tubes, journals and pens scattered all over, my Mac hidden below a heap of stuff....I am stepping over things to get to what I need...and it is driving me crazy!!!! So tomorrow I need to prime more canvas boards for the week and have a huge tidy up...it's long overdue.

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In a dish #426

Daily painting #426. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

My daughter had some friends over after school yesterday so while they played, I painted in my studio, listening to the giggles and chatting in the family room close by! They did however keep popping into the studio to check up on me....and give me their expert advice and constructive criticism! I am going to be teaching visual art part time in the senior primary at the girl's school next year so it was so interesting to hear them engaging with what I was doing. I think I might have a few little art teachers in the class next year!

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School shoe #425

Daily painting #425. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

The school shoes have been abandoned in the corner of the room along with school ties and book bags....the Summer holidays have arrived! A nostalgic day today as my son finishes Primary School. In 2015 he will move onto a new school for his final years at High School. He and his friends are moving off to different schools, some of them off to boarding school and so it is the end of a chapter...and the start of exciting new adventures...but first...a summer holiday! My daughter still has one more week of school and I still have one more week of teaching....but I can feel a holiday on the horizon!

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Morning time #424

Daily painting #424  4" x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Today was a full day so I had an early start with my daily painting. Had I not, I probably wouldn't have had the time to paint. I taught this morning, then had a wonderful end of year lunch with my Wednesday painting class, did the afternoon school lifts and finished the day off with a magical Carol Service at my son's school. The festivities have begun...
So some quiet morning time was just perfect ...the sun seemed to be creeping over a solid mass of rain cloud on the horizon!

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Mini protea #423

Daily painting #423. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

One of the many things I love about proteas is that they last so long! You may remember me painting a close up of a protea I bought for my veranda. Well I have bought it inside now into my studio....and it is still going strong!

These little 4"x6" canvases often don't give you a true reflection of the little painting when cropped up close ....so a slightly removed view today of my daily painting....

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Red x3 #422

Daily painting #422. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I am starting to feel 'Christmasy'....and the summer holidays are ALMOST here! My son finishes school in just 3 days and my daughter finishes next week. In 2 weeks time I will be relaxing in the African bush at the Kruger National Park (our largest game reserve) and in exactly a month it will be Christmas! I heard my first Christmas carols in the shops today and everywhere is brimming with shiny baubles, tinsel and fairy lights! It's almost the festive season....bring it on!

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M&M's #421

Daily painting #421. 5"x7' oil on primed canvas panel

A little bit of bright candy to finish off the weekend....

My son is in his final week of Prep School...it's going to be a busy and emotional week ahead!

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Pot of roses #420

Daily painting #420. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

A pretty little bunch of tightly packed roses....
I hope you are having a good weekend everyone....only 4 and a half weeks to Christmas! I can't believe it!

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Rain #419

Daily painting #419. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

We have had some fine rain lately...and it looks like there is some more on the way! Heavy rain clouds are looming ...

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Raspberry #418

Daily painting #418. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Big juicy raspberries and thick Greek yoghurt...mmmm! One of my favourite breakfast treats!

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Crimson #417

Daily painting #417. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Four feisty friends take centre stage with a dash of crimson....

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Watermelon #416

Daily painting #416. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

A little slice of summer....

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White posy #415

Daily painting #415  6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

I would have fresh pickings in every room of the house if I could!! I wish I had more time to spend in my garden and that my pups didn't make sport of pulling up plants or eating them ....it would be kinder to my pocket. I think any flower stall owner jumps for joy when I pass because I find it so hard to resist beautiful blossoms! So I often buy an inexpensive bunch and divide it up into little posies in odd little containers and jars so that I get to spread the joy around the house...this little posy is from my guest bathroom!

Pop over to the Paintings in the post online store by clicking the highlighted writing below and spoil yourself with the gift of a little painting this holiday! The gift of a painting lasts a lifetime!

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Little bee #414

Daily painting #414 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I read an article the other day written by a site that tries to promote bee conservation and I must say it made me chuckle! It was about how worker bees can suffer from fatigue. It showed a picture of a bee sitting at the edge of a tea spoon with a clear liquid. The article suggested that should you find a bee sitting in one place very still in your home or garden that you place a little sugar water solution close to the bee as chances are it is a worker bee that is overworked and needing a boost!! I had visions of children running around the garden with little teaspoons and sugar water solutions desperately trying to find and feed bees! I found this little bee on my veranda and sadly no sugar water was going to help but if it would have, I would have given it a try as I hate to find dead bees...they have such an important role to play! 

Well I am not sure if the sugar water solution is what will do the trick but the little worker bee in me is tired and looking forward to a holiday....I think that is just the solution I need!

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Little magestic sky #413

Daily painting #413 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

My children finished their end of year exams this week and today my son played his last official cricket game for his school. His last official game of primary school cricket! In just 2 weeks he will be a high school boy! I can't believe it! So after a busy few weeks, this afternoon we relaxed at home and enjoyed a 'chilled' evening together on our veranda. The sky was majestic....bidding the day farewell with bold colours and a real display! Of course my husband was also watching the Springboks playing rugby against England at Twickenham ....

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Weekend protea #412

Daily painting #411 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I haven't bought any proteas for the house in a while! But it's the weekend and the summer weather is here....and I plan to spend lots of time relaxing on our veranda. I have no doubt my husband will be lighting the fire for a braai (South African barbecue)! A little protea just brightens up the veranda table. 

My children have finished writing their end of year exams and I feel a summer holiday on the horizon....have a fabulous weekend everyone!

The online store reopened today (with some fabulous prices) so be sure to pop over to the store at www.paintingsinthepost.tictail.com and check out all the available daily paintings! 

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Blue shoes #411

Daily painting #411. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel. SOLD

My favourite blue shoes at the moment....and 2 of my favourite colours!

The Paintings in the post exhibition closes today and what a wonderful 2 weeks it has been! I have been overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm for my Paintings in the post project! Thank you to everyone who took the time to visit the exhibition and to those of you who purchased a little painting...thank you! May it bring you great joy for many years to come. A huge thank you to Lisa and Alaine at GALLERY 415. You have been an amazing support and I have huge gratitude for your efforts, your encouragement and your friendship!

The Paintings in the post online store will reopen tomorrow ....and it's business as usual. Local South African buyers can contact me directly for prices in ZAR but all available daily paintings can be viewed in the store by clicking on the highlighted writing at the end of each post or clicking on the rainbow shop icon on the Paintings in the post page.

Have a happy weekend!

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(The online store will reopen tomorrow, Saturday)

Chocolate chip #410

Daily painting #410 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Chocolate chip biscuits for my painting class tomorrow. Served during a well earned morning tea break....well that is if the chocolate chip biscuits survive my family tucking into them first!

I might need a back up plan for a tea time treat!

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(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen on Saturday after the closing of the paintings in the post exhibition

Over the ocean #409

Daily painting #409 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I sat this afternoon on my upstairs veranda overlooking the ocean, painting and thinking for the first time in a long while how hard life in South Africa can be! I thought of all my friends and family who have left, and there are many! Today as my husband was fetching my daughter early from school for her dance exam, police and criminals opened fire on one another just outside my daughters school and only slightly ahead of my husband who was turning into the school. This is a residential area with 3 schools in this road and at the time all the children were outside enjoying their morning break. I couldn't help but think about all the 'what ifs'! Thank goodness my husband was safe and thank goodness no stray bullets hit any innocent people or children. Crime is high in South Africa and it does make life more stressful if you allow it to. So I try to be positive, find blessings in small things and be grateful at every opportunity. Thank goodness 2 of the 3 criminals where caught (the 3rd high jacked another vehicle and got away)  and thank goodness my family are unharmed. Thank goodness the police were trying to be proactive and thank goodness none of them were harmed either! Somedays life has a way of making us sit up and be thankful for small mercies. Many of my friends who have left SA believe it is not normal to live with such high crime and violence but this is our 'normal' and for those of us who live here we have to remain positive and hopeful....there just is no other way! Gratitude and positive hearts have to be your constant companions!
That being said, life in Africa is not for the faint hearted!

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(The online Paintings in the post store will reopen over the weekend once the exhibition closes)

Looking up #408

Daily painting #408. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I would love to tell you that I was lying on the ground looking up at the clouds ....playing those imaginary games that children do....finding shapes in the clouds and making up stories and scenes as the clouds passed by (you did do that as a child right?)...

But instead I was sitting in my nice warm studio looking up out of the window! Today was one of those days when grey clouds hovered and the occasional bit of light pushed through only to be obliterated again by the looming heavy rain clouds. It was one of those days when you carry an umbrella all day in anticipation but nothing seems to happen...

Well as I am writing this evening, the rain is now finally falling outside even though the dark clouds have been teasing all day. The sound and smell of rain are one of my favourite things....

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(The online store will reopen over the weekend once the Paintings in the post exhibition closes)

Rose pot and cherries #407

Daily painting #407 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

 For the first time ever I managed to delete my entire blogpost while trying to load it this morning!!! I could just weep...and have no idea what I carried on about ( I seemed to write a lot last night). I do recall mentioning that to let good cherries go to waste would be criminal...these were found at the bottom of my paint box after a very hurried tidy up at the gallery on Saturday morning. After a night in my paintbox they definitely weren't fit for consumption... but I could paint them again!
I also shared my daughters little painting. She loves art materials as much as I do so she has her own supplies (so that she doesn't touch mine) including a traveling paintbox with a limited palette of oil paints. Yesterday she joined me on the veranda to paint, set up a nectarine and a cherry and painted for half an hour, with little guidance and sheer enjoyment! At only 11 years old she has the potential to be a way better still life painter than her mamma!
Well here's to a good week...what a way to start a Monday morning deleting my entire blogpost...a comedy of errors...or perhaps I am just a technological idiot!

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(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen this weekend with all the new little paintings that were not exhibited.)

Silver pot and cherries #406

Daily painting #406 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Painting in the gallery wasn't so bad after all. I managed to talk, answer a few questions and do a little daily painting. I was so nervous but once I saw a few familiar faces I felt much more at ease. So thank you so much if you popped into the gallery yesterday to say hello....despite my initial fear, I actually really enjoyed the morning!
The exhibition closes this Thursday if you still want to pop in to see, you have a few days left!

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(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the 14th November with new little paintings that were not exhibited)

First light #405

Daily painting #405 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

My usual place for contemplation...
There is not a cloud in the sky this morning. Last night there was rain and everything is crisp, clean and fresh as the first light appears!
Tomorrow I have to paint my daily painting in the gallery at GALLERY 415....and I am terrified!! I have to paint with people watching....I have to share my very private and intimate space....and I suddenly feel like I have to 'get it right'. This is something I freed myself of long ago when completing a daily painting.....the need to 'get it right'. You simply can't 'get it right' every day! And then again what defines 'right'....so I have overcome these issues in my own headspace a long time ago. But tomorrow will be a little different. Fear and self doubt are the painters worst enemies and I am going to have to fight really hard with my inner voice tomorrow to just stay calm and enjoy the paint....regardless!
If you are in Durban I will be at the gallery tomorrow, Saturday at 9.30 am .....hope to meet you there!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the closing of the exhibition on the 14th November with all the new little paintings that have not been exhibited)

Nectarine #404

Daily painting #404. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

All the summer fruits are starting to pop up in the markets and on the shelves of the grocery stores. Nectarines, peaches, mangoes... Mmmmm the smell and taste is heavenly! Summer is almost here....my senses tell me so!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the 14th November with all the new little paintings that were not exhibited on the Paintings in the post exhibition )

Blueberries #403

Daily painting #403 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Juicy little blueberries ...and thick natural yoghurt ...mmm!! Breakfast feast!

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Waiting #402

Daily painting #402  6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

This little chap was seen waiting patiently for a space on the feeder. The breakfast rush was on and no one was giving up their spot without a noise! Lots of flurry, feathers and bird seed...most of it landing on the ground as they squabbled for space ...all except my patient friend who eventually and rather cleverly, discovered that to feed off of the spilt offerings on the floor was a breakfast feast...with no fight!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen with all the new little paintings after the 14th November when the Paintings in the post exhibition closes)

A weed #401

Daily painting #401 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

How can something with such a pretty little flower be considered a weed....what a shame!

Remember to visit the Paintings in the post exhibition at GALLERY 415 in Umgeni Road. 

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the 14 Nov when the exhibition closes)

Early Sunday morning #400

Daily painting #400 6" x8" oil on primed canvas panel

400 DAYS OF DAILY PAINTINGS....WOW! I never would have thought I could....until I tried!

I have decided not to crop the sky images...they just become lost and distorted and look too abstracted in a close up cropped view.

It is early on Sunday morning and I can't sleep ...so I paint! My head is spinning at the thought that I have reached 400 little daily paintings... So I am enjoying my favourite place this morning . That time of day when the world is quiet and the day full of possibility...

" a daily meditation...a spontaneous and random record of the beauty found in the ordinary..."

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art (the online store will reopen after 24th Nov when the Paintings in the post exhibition closes)

Left over candy #399

Daily painting #399 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

The candy companies must rub their hands together with glee as Halloween approaches....it's sugar rush time!!!

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(The online store will remain closed until the end of the Paintings in the post exhibition. It will reopen after the 14th Nov)