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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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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Reflection #53

Daily painting #53  4"x6"  oil painting on primed canvas board

Today has been one of those days when life sends you a wake up call. A reminder to feel more gratitude and  hold your loved ones closer! 

A shopping mall which was under construction in an area called Tongaat (north of Durban) collapsed yesterday and rescue workers worked through the night to try to find survivors that were buried beneath rubble. My heart breaks for families that are affected by such unnecessary tragedies.

A special friend of my son (he is 12 years old) also underwent important surgery today and we are delighted to hear he is recovering in hospital after a successful operation....my thoughts have been with him and his family all day. I guess every now and again we need to take some quiet time, reflect and count our blessings!

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Welcome back #45

Daily painting #45  6"x8" oil on primed canvas board  SOLD


Welcome back Sunshine! We have the most beautiful view of the sea and I was delighted to watch a hazy light pushing the grey away as the morning made its appearance. It was not the most beautiful of sunrises....but there was sun....something we have not seen for a few days with all the rain.....think we are in for a steamy summer! Painting the morning light is always a rush ....a race to capture that rapidly changing light! I have such respect for William Turner, he is the true master at capturing that shifting light! Which artist inspires you?

Morning light #39

Daily Painting #39  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Summer time means early mornings here in Durban! The sky lights quickly, the crisp, fresh light hinting at the heat the day will bring. The last 2 days have been summer days for sure, but the weekend is around the corner and it's bringing rain....typical!

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Moody Blue #34

Daily painting #34  4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board

A gloomy early morning sky....we have had some strange weather lately! Umbrella day today...at least the temperatures are still warm though. Looks like it will be a good day to get busy in the studio!

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Day and Night # 21

Daily painting #21  4"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board (SOLD)

That magical moment when day meets night....

Shady trees and sunlight at Merchistan #15

Daily painting #15 5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

My son played cricket in Pietermaritzburg today against a school called Merchistan. It is about an hours drive from Durban and if you know anything about cricket, you will know a game can last the entire day! To keep me sane I packed my traveling paintbox, found a shady spot where I could watch my son play cricket and paint at the same time....much to the fascination of the other parents there!!! "Look at that strange mother over there..." I could almost hear them saying as they casually drifted past to glance over at what I was doing.....
The day was fabulous and the cricket bearable, maybe even enjoyable!

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Early start #13

Daily painting #13  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

5am wake up call for my children today as early morning swimming training begins at school. But I always like to be awake first...steal some time to enjoy the quiet, drink a good cup of coffee, ponder the day ahead and enjoy some soulful time .... full the soul tank for the day!

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Changing light #12

Daily painting #12  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board (SOLD)

Summer is fast approaching and it is starting to get light really early. The early morning is my favorite time of the day...I love the light...the colors...and the spectacle of the fast approaching day as the sun peeps over the horizon to greet us with a dazzle of colour and warmth. I am blessed to be greeted each morning with this....my bedroom veranda overlooks the sea and this is one of the delights of the East Coast...beautiful sunny weather (most days) and glorious sunrises! I had to paint quickly as I chased the changing light and shifting sky...what a way to start the day!!

Stormy Day #4

Daily painting #4  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board

Woke up to a strange grey sky and bright blue sea....something is brewing on the horizon...inside weather on the East Coast today for sure!

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Pumula Rain #30

Daily painting #30 6"x8" oil painting on canvas

Well the ladies managed to paint outdoors and the weather held out until we were all packing up to leave....and then it rained....and it was pouring by the time we reached Durban (about an hours traveling). How was that for a spot of luck...thank you Mother Nature for your generosity!

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Pumula at last! #29

Daily painting #29  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

Well the weather is being kind...blue skies this morning and turquoise sea...hooray! The ladies all arrive today...I travelled down to Pumula Beach Hotel yesterday in sheets of rain and howling winds...said a few prayers along the way but arrived safe and sound to get things organized. Pumula is a Zulu* word meaning 'to rest'....a more apt name for this beautiful little spot I could not find....so let's rest from the busy of everyday, use our energy to paint....and most importantly full the soul tank!

*Zulu is one of our 11 official South African languages. It is spoken mainly in the province of  KwaZulu Natal which is home to the Zulu culture. It is one of the languages our children are taught to speak at school in this province, along with Afrikaans and English.

Thank you Jackie Davis for your photos!

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Overcast with a chance of rain #26

Daily Painting #26  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

This weekend I am taking 10 ladies down the South Coast to a beautiful beach area called Umzumbe, named after the river which flows into the sea close by. We will be staying in a hotel which we as a family have been staying at regularly for the past 15 years....my kids have grown up here and it feels like home! We are planning on painting...hopefully outdoors! For many if the ladies it will be their first plein air (painting outdoors from life) experience. Only there is a PROBLEM....the weather forecast says "cloudy with a chance of rain". The rain has already hit Durban....it is pouring down....I am hopeful that south of Durban the weather will be a bit more obliging....oh dear!

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Rain, rain, blow away.... #31

Daily painting #31  5"x7" oil painting on board


Rain, wind, a hint of blue sky, then a shift of clouds ....and more rain...a symphony of elements!

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