Lemon drizzle cake (what's left of it!) #575

Daily painting #575 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

Perhaps my little painting doesn't do the cake enough justice....this little easy-peasy cake is delicious and doesn't last very long in our house (can you tell?). I managed to salvage just the last end slice to paint but I had some greedy critters hovering around my studio waiting for the opportunity to share the last piece! The bitterness of the lemon cuts through the sweetness of the cake and even my son who doesn't really enjoy cake loves this one! It is made with so few ingredients....self-raising flour, castor sugar, coconut, lemon rind and milk and takes all of about 5 minutes to get from cupboard ingredients into the oven. My kind of baking! 

It's grandpa's 70th birthday this weekend so I am enlisting the help of my daughter, Amy, to bake a delicious (chocolate overloaded) birthday surprise cake for Grandpa Mannie. He is Portuguese and usually likes some kind of fruit cake or Madeira cake but I think this chocolate fudge cake will be delicious! Can you tell that I am desperate to get back into my kitchen....... 

Lots of love from one frustrated Mamma!  

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Handful of Bird's Eye Chillies #574

Daily painting #574 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel 

Ironically writing is the creative outlet I feel the least confident with. That being said, I share my thoughts (through writing) on almost a daily basis! But I have to say that if I didn't write a painting blog, I would probably be writing some kind of amateur foodie blog! Painting and cooking being 2 of my most creative outlets. If I am not in my studio, I am happiest in my kitchen. My kitchen is the hub of our household! If I am not spending my money on art books, I am spending it on cookery books. I read them from cover to cover like others would read a novel and yet I rarely use a recipe to cook unless of course I am baking. I love to experiment with flavors, textures and colours and of course being such a visual person, I like the food to look as good on the platter as it tastes!
So yesterday a couple of my art students were painting on my veranda leading off of my kitchen (I can't get down to my teaching studio yet) and the topic of conversation turned to food rather than painting! I am so frustrated at the moment with not being able to get around the kitchen to cook because of the cumbersome crutches! I love to share tried and tested things from the kitchen that make my life easier ....and food more yummy! So painting was temporarily forgotten while I shared some of my favorites like pickled onions, marinated olives (with an amazing dressing for your salads) and a Portuguese Peri-peri marinade/sauce which uses little Bird's eye chillies which many of us have in our garden. This is the chili plant's common name. The little seeds are so tiny that they are about the size of a little birds eye. They are also bright green and red and therefor easily catch the attention of the birds. The birds love to eat them and they drop the seeds all over the garden so the chances are that if you have one Bird's eye chilli plant you will probably have them sprouting up all over your garden. We would pull them out thinking they were weeds until we realized that a little chili plant was growing! There are not many chillies left as it is nearing winter but I managed to find a handful. So today I painted a little handful of Bird's eye chillies from my garden....soon to be Peri-peri sauce....when I can get back into my kitchen!!

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Double pincushion #573

Daily painting #573 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Bright orange red pincushion....they remind me of little balls of fire!

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Midnight milk #572

Daily painting #572 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I have never been one to struggle to fall asleep at night. A few pages of my book and I am so tired that within minutes I am asleep! But regardless of how late I went to sleep, I am an early riser! Just before sun up I am awake with the first tweet of the birds or the first change of light in the sky. It's like my body has this internal clock that sets the alarm for first light. This is a wonderful thing when you have learnt to appreciate this still, quiet time of day as being a restful, soulful time before the rush of a busy day. It also helps when your bedroom faces the east coast and you are blessed with glorious sunrises. But it is not so pleasant when you haven't had a good nights sleep and that first light seems to come around far quicker than you would like it to!
Since I broke my ankle I have had a hard time sleeping. I just can't seem to get comfortable with that cumbersome boot on my leg and when I lay down everything seems to ache and I just can't lie still. So my nights are spent feeling like I am drifting in and out of a state of light sleep. I have tried all the remedies (old wives tales) like warm milk, counting sheep, visualizing happy thoughts.....but I have come to realize they are all indeed a farce! Sometimes it's just easier to sit up and read my book or if I could get to my studio with greater ease, I would probably paint the night away! In only a months time we are off to the bush on holiday, quite possibly my favourite place in the world. Hopefully in this quiet, restful place my sleep patterns will be restored.....and my sanity!

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King protea #571

Daily painting #571 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Two tall kings are standing on my entrance hall table. They stand proud and tall in contrast to their soft gentle colours. Beautiful South African King proteas.
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Ana's rose #570

Daily painting #570 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

A special friend popped in to visit the other day. It was so lovely to see her as we haven't had time for a 'catch up' in ages! She brought along with her a meal which I know my husband was so grateful for as it saved him the trouble of trying to sort out something for dinner (something he is getting quite good at I might add!). Popped into her basket was a beautiful little mini rose she had picked from her garden and of course I had to paint it! It is the sweetest little fragile rose in a delicate soft pink. Ana you are such a special friend....thoughtful in so many ways! Thank you my friend!

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Autumn morning #569

Daily painting #569 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

It has been a while since I have painted the morning sky! The early mornings are without a doubt my favourite time of the day. It is quiet and peaceful and the new day always brings with it a sense of hope and anticipation. It's Autumn here on the East Coast so the sun rises a little later and the colours are more subtle and gentle than the sudden glaring heat of summer. The air is also fresh and crisp with a little bit of a chill. Durban is usually hot and humid so at this time of year, with cool mornings and warm (but pleasant) days, I am at my happiest!

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Only one #568

Daily painting #568 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

I am missing my kitchen! I love cooking and buying ingredients to cook. I rarely use a recipe unless I am baking which requires a more scientific approach to exact measuring and mixing instructions. I love turning fresh produce into yummy meals for my family...and at the moment I can't! My kitchen, like my studio is a soulful place for me and cooking is an extension of my creativity. I don't always get it right but I certainly love good food, yummy flavors and things that look good! The produce in my kitchen often finds it's way into my studio and onto my canvases for a daily painting. I can't wait to be back at the market and cooking in my kitchen again!

With such a dark background getting a perfect photo of a little painting is often difficult. Today I struggled to loose the glare of the light on the surface but just couldn't move around enough to take more photos so apologies for the poor quality photo....

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In my studio #567

Daily painting #567 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I forced myself to take a few days break from being in my studio as I was feeling really tired and sore. I think without realizing it I am trying to move around my studio (on crutches) more than I realize and am perhaps not spending enough time with my foot elevated. So I had to try be strict on myself and take it easy as some of the swelling had come up again and my toes were looking like little sausages. It was so tempting to go back into my studio....! I had left some beautiful roses that I had used for inspiration for a larger piece of work I had started. I am planning some HUGE (over 1m) floral pieces. I was surprised to see the beautiful blooms still strong even though they had opened out a little more, so I decided to share one with you. I forced myself to work quickly on my daily painting today, capturing the essence and little detail. I felt all ready to start working on my larger floral again but had to force myself to have a little break and only go back into the studio in the afternoon. My patience is really being tested to the full!!! 

If you don't follow me on Instagram here is a little photo I shared of the larger painting I am working on....

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Mini daffodils #566

Daily painting #566 6"x6" oil primed canvas panel

A friend gave me this pot of miniature daffodils and they are sitting just outside my studio. I love daffodils they always remind me of summers in England (I lived in London for a while after graduating) but I am always fascinated with how daffodils suddenly appear in our shops to coincide with the Northern Hemisphere spring! We on the other hand are going into winter here in the Southern Hemisphere and it certainly is not feeling summery and spring-like! I always have a giggle when I see them appearing in the shops. Not that I have been into a shop in almost 5 weeks!! So thanks to my friend for bringing a little spring cheer for me.....I do love daffodils and spring-time!  Perhaps their sudden appearance has something to do with the fact that our temperatures in autumn  (although it feels slightly chilly to us) are quite similar if not warmer than an English spring. Perhaps this is the perfect temperature for daffodils, even if it isn't spring! 

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Something fishy #565

Daily painting #565 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

The Sunday before I fell, my mum and I went to a local fish market. They had an amazing selection of seafood on offer and I can't wait to be able to visit again. I took a few photos of some of the fresh fish while browsing around. I am still quite limited when moving about and unable to carry things into my studio to paint, so today I decided to work from one of my photos that I took at the market. Working from life is always the best though!

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A little bit of floral #564

Daily painting #564 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I LOVE florals!  I love floral designs, floral fabrics and quite frankly anything floral usually grabs my attention. My one indulgence is to always have fresh flowers in my home. My home wouldn't be home without flowers!

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Mothers Day #563

Daily painting #563 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

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Happy Mother's Day to all the special Mommies and Grannies in South Africa and anywhere else that might be celebrating Mother's Day today! One of my best gifts ever has been the privilege of being called "mommy"! A little mini 4"x6" pot of mini orchids for all those that are celebrating the love of a mother today! I don't know what I would have done without my darling mum over the last few weeks....she has helped my family, cooked our meals and even had to help me bath! Gail Goncalves I love you to the moon and back and am so proud to call you my Mum. 

Happy Mother's Day!

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Rose Madder #562

Daily painting #562 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

FREE POSTAGE FOR MONTH OF MAY!!!

I am SO happy to be back in my studio I have decided to celebrate and am offering FREE postage on any daily paintings purchased for the month of May! So pop over to the Tictail store and see all available daily paintings. If you live in SA you can contact me at heidishedlock@gmail.com for prices in ZAR.

I paint my daily paintings with limited colours as I prefer to mix my own tones. But I do have hordes of other colours like this Rose Madder which while I don't always use them, they sit in my studio like comfortable old friends! This particular tube I have had since I was at school (it is ooooold!) and while most of the writing has rubbed off of the tube and it is rather dusty and buckled, I just can't bring myself to throw it away. Occasionally I will look for something different and then these trusty old friends are as loyal as ever!

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Thank you #561

Daily painting #561 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Well it has taken me a whole month to get daily painting #561 painted! I have never been so happy to squeeze paint out of tubes and picking up my brushes was like taking the hand of your child into your own hand and feeling that instant connection to the very core of your being! I momentarily forgot about a leg that was now throbbing from hobbling along on the crutches to get to my studio! I was initially frustrated as with both hands on crutches I couldn't carry the things I needed or get to certain things but where there is a will, there is a way! It is amazing what you can carry in the grips of your jaw when you can't use your hands! Once I was finally seated at my little wooden daily painting box I had demons sitting on my shoulder. I haven't painted for a month (feels like a lifetime) so the internal dialogue went something along the lines of "maybe I won't be able to....maybe I should just not do this....what if I just can't paint today...." If you are a painter or artist or even a writer, you will be able to relate to all the insecurities that rumbled through my head as I stared at that little 6"x8" rectangle of glaring white board! But once I picked up that brush...it just felt right!
This is no perfect little painting and many of my daily paintings are not master pieces and are never created with that aim in mind. They are about the process of doing, of applying paint and the joy it gives me, the ritual of recording something ordinary in a short space of time for the sheer pleasure the interaction gives me. Daily painting for me is never about creating magnificent paintings. It's about me and my paint and the silly little daily objects or stories that make up my every day. It's a meditative daily ritual and I have missed it like crazy! Today I have never been so happy to sit at my little wooden painting box! The good news is that my ankle will not require surgery but the break has not yet healed and there is severe tissue damage to tendons and ligaments on both sides which is why I still have no movement in my foot. But with time, this will heal. I am able to move around more at home with the help of crutches (and a willing husband to help me downstairs) and the doctor has said no teaching until June. But with a little effort I can make it to my studio and that is a fabulous start!
I have been so overwhelmed by the generosity of family, friends and art students who have helped with my children, dropped off meals, cakes and flowers and the overwhelming amount of messages I have received has been heartwarming. I wish I could thank you all personally but for now today's daily painting carries a message of thanks to you all! Healing happens one day at a time....and starting the day with a little painting was a step in the right direction! Thank you friends x

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From my room....

I am off to the doctor today to have a check up and hopefully will be able to move around a bit more soon. Living in a double story house is a disadvantage when you have limited movement. Getting down the staircase, the same staircase which you tumbled down in the first place is not an easy task when you are balancing on crutches and trying to hop with as little jarring movement as possible. So I will glamorously descend the staircase on my bottom this morning for fear of creating more havoc than my last descent. (I tripped over the cat and fell down our flight of stairs 3 weeks ago). For what feels like a life time I have been confined to my bedroom and so much of the household activity including evening meals have taken place picnic style in order to keep Mum company. I am missing my cosy studio and can't wait to get back into my little space. I am hoping to be sharing a few little paintings again soon. For now I want to share a special little image of my daughter. She brought her sewing machine (she has been designing beanbag babies) into my bedroom to keep Mum company. Hoping for good news today and that the next image I share will be a little painting! Thank you everyone for all the messages of well wishes....I really appreciate them and am delighted to hear how many people are missing seeing Paintings in the post.

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