A day of rest #134

Daily painting #134. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

It has been a while since I have taken the time to observe and paint the morning sky....without feeling rushed! I find painting sky very soulful.....and sometimes it is just what I need to fill the soul tank! The days seem to have been so busy lately (and way too hot!!!) and with our Saturdays being consumed by school sport ....so much needs to be crammed into a Sunday...like kids catching up on school work, trying to see family, and generally catching up on chores around the house.....that doesn't leave much time for relaxation and time out! What happened to a day of rest? Maybe next weekend.....

Hope you all have a great week ....another VALENTINES is just around the corner, so be sure to purchase a floral painting for Valentines and stand a chance to win a little daily painting for free! All floral paintings are $40 in the online store and R420 if purchased locally (contact me at heidishedlock@gmail.com). To see the available daily paintings click the highlighted writing below....

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Sunflowers #132

Daily painting #132. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel. SOLD

I had one of those "I told you so....!!!!" moments with my daughter this morning. Only problem is that the "I told you so" was directed from daughter to mother rather than the other way around, I have to admit!!! A friend, on reading about my Valentines flower painting idea sent me a message saying she loves seeing the daily paintings, and enjoys the proteas and roses (one of which she owns) however she would love to see me paint some sunflowers.... Little does she know Amy had only the day before tried desperately to convince me to buy some beautiful bright sunflowers from our local florist to paint! I had stood there debating the merits of painting sunflowers with a 10 year old, explaining that somehow sunflowers just screamed Van Gogh and I just couldn't bring myself to find the confidence to do them justice. Well now I had no choice but to give them a go...so off I went to the same florist today and came home clutching 3 sunflowers.....for Amy and Tersia!

If you didn't read about my VALENTINES offer yesterday....painted flowers will last a lifetime, so all floral paintings in the store are $40 or  R420 if purchased locally, contact me at heidishedlock@gmail.com . Anyone purchasing a floral painting (view them all by clicking the highlighted writing below) will stand a chance to win the little painting "Cherries and lace" ....all names will go into a draw, the offer closes 8pm SA time on 13 Feb and the winner will be announced on Valentines day! So someone will be getting a little surprise on Valentines day.... 2 paintings in the post instead of 1!!

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Protea study #131

Daily painting #131. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

This time next week it will be VALENTINES DAY! While I have to admit to not ever making too big a fuss over Valentines, I will also admit to enjoying being spoilt or made to feel special every now and again! But the idea of getting flowers at Valentines sends my head into a spin....flowers (especially roses of course) quadruple in price and quite frankly I find it ludicrous! So if you do enjoy a spoil at Valentines why not hint to your hubby to buy you a painting of flowers instead! A painting will last a lifetime....your real flowers (especially in South African heat) will be lucky to make it through the week!!
I have decided to sell the last remaining flower paintings (all roses, proteas, lavender and aloe...there are not many) at R420 locally in SA (incl postage) or $40 through the online store. For local purchases you will need to contact me privately heidishedlock@gmail.com

AND.....every person purchasing a floral painting will enter into a draw to win "Cherries and lace" !!!  Purchase a floral painting and you will automatically stand a chance to win the little painting and receive 2 Paintings in the post! The Valentines special will end at 8pm (SA time) on Thursday 13th Feb and the winner of the lucky draw will be announced on Valentines Day! Someone is going to get a little extra spoiling ....

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Liquorice Allsorts #130

Daily painting #130. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Liquorice Allsorts....yummy, fun and colourful....they take centre stage, climbing, tumbling, rolling and fooling around....a little bit of fun for the middle of the week!

130 paintings in 130 days today! As someone pointed out to me ...I have been painting little daily paintings for a third of a year!

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Pretty Pilchard #129

Daily painting #129. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Another beautiful find at the market yesterday! I love to have a look at the fresh produce in the Seafood section but my daughter is a fussy seafood consumer and so I am limited in what I can purchase unless of course I plan on cooking 2 meals ....which of course I have no plan to do!!!! Two fish however that even the rest of the family, other than my Portuguese stepfather, would refuse to eat are sardines and pilchards! So I had to ask the man serving behind the counter if I could take a photo of his fish .....in the hopes that I could paint them later! He thought I was crazy but was obliging....so unlike my usual daily paintings which are almost always captured from life this beautiful Pilchard was  captured from a photo....I love the subtle colours and tones as the light catches it!

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Mango on a box #128

Daily painting #128. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

The heat might be unbearable at this time of year but one positive is all the delicious summer fruit that is on offer! I am especially enjoying the mangoes at the moment! I love chopping them and adding them to my plain yoghurt for breakfast. Today I couldn't resist buying a whole box of  mangoes. They were vibrant in color and delicious in taste....and even the box could be put to good use as a 'stage' for the star of the show....the mango! 

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Blueberries and a sugar spoon #127

Daily painting #127 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Today has been a family day....a lazy lunch catching up with family and relaxing on the verandah in the cool breeze. It has been MUCH cooler today....thank goodness! Family get togethers in our family always happen around the table and involve yummy food. I think I am going to have to spend the rest of the week eating fruit and salad only, to compensate for my indulgence....however life would be dull and boring without a little indulgence every now and again!

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Sun vs Clouds #124

Daily painting #124. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

I have to admit to not painting this first thing this morning! Instead I took some photos on my iPad and then worked later in the studio with the sound and smell of the rain filtering in! So in the battle of the light that took place this morning....the sun wanted desperately to push its way through and illuminate ....but those grey heavy clouds were having none of that! They stood fast and won the battle! Thank goodness!   I have been waging my own war against this heat....January/February heat in Durban is not my favorite...keeping cool feels almost impossible! So a cloudy day it was today...with some light rain...and about 10 degrees cooler! A welcome treat this time of year!

Today is the LAST DAY of the JANUARY SALE!!!!!  The sale ends tonight Friday 31 January at 12 pm (SA time). If you have had your eye on a little painting be sure not to miss out! Email me at heidishedlock@gmail.com if you wish to enquire about the price of a painting in ZAR(South African Rands) or if you want to make use of the free postage I am offering within South Africa(only for the duration of the sale). Last minute shopping....

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In memory of a bee #121

Daily painting #121  6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I am not a lover of  creepy crawlies and flying noo-noos (insects), especially that mosquito that was buzzing persistently around my ear in the early hours of the morning!! But I have to admit to finding bees fascinating and hate it when I see someone squishing them. Granted neither I or my children are allergic to bee stings and thank goodness for that because living on the border of a public park which is densely populated with trees means lots of bees! There are definitely one or two hives close by! But lately, sadly, we have been finding quite a few dead bees...around the swimming pool...in the kitchen...and in the garden! My children have even commented on how strange it is! Today as I approached my easel in the studio this little bee lay on the floor at the base of my easel. The dying bees are a mystery....and this little chap looked like he lay waiting at my easel for a reason.... and so I began my daily painting...in memory of a bee!

Day 4 of the JANUARY SALE. Click on the highlighted writing below to view available daily paintings. If you are living in South Africa please message me heidishedlock@gmail.com for the price in ZAR and to make use of the free postage in SA which I am offering for the duration of the sale.

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Garlic cloves #120

Daily painting #120. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

We have had a busy week and another busy week is on the horizon so today was a 'stay-at-home-relax-family' kind of day! My best! Relaxing at home on a Sunday usually means we will braai (barbecue).....my husband loves to stoke up that fire and cook over the hot coals! Today instead, we decided to make a traditional South African meal called a potjie. Potjie directly translated in Afrikaans means little pot. So essentially it is a type of stew (there are millions of varieties) cooked in a traditional African black pot over hot coals. The pot gives the meal a distinctive taste and the coals add a subtle smokiness. So while my husband gathered, chopped and peeled the ingredients I sat keeping him company and painting one of the ingredients. I am amazed at the huge variety of colours in garlic....beautiful subtle tones! My husband did at one stage glance over my shoulder and question what the 3 blobs on the canvas were....but a beady glance kept him quiet thereafter! He redeemed himself by cooking up the most delicious meal.....!

There are only a few more days left of the 30/30 challenge and today marks 120 paintings in 120 days for me! By the time this post goes live it will also be day 3 of my JANUARY SALE! All prices displayed in my online store have been discounted ...some of them by as much as 50% so be sure to not miss out if you have had your eye on a little painting! Please contact me if you have any questions on heidishedlock@gmail.com. To view available daily paintings in the store gallery click the blue highlighted writing below....

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Orchid detail #119

Daily painting #119  6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

The orchids on my verandah are about the only flowers that are not wilting and dying after only a few days in the heat we are experiencing at the moment. Flowers in a vase are drooping after just a day or two! This heat just saps your energy....thank goodness for swimming pools to cool off!

Today is day 2 of the January SALE ....yesterday the sale got off to a great start! So if you haven't had a chance to look ....there are some real bargains! It's time to make way for some new daily paintings! All prices displayed in the shop are the discounted prices. Prices are displayed in $ if you live in South Africa please contact me for the price in ZAR (South African Rands) and to receive FREE POSTAGE which I am offering for the duration of the sale! Email me at heidishedlock@gmail.com The sale ends 31 Jan at 12 pm SA time.

View the gallery of available paintings by clicking on the highlighted writing below or by going to www.paintingsinthepost.tictail.com

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Three Prunes #118

Daily painting #118  4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I can't say I am a huge fan of prunes ...as in the shrivelled variety you buy in the dried fruit section...but these little fresh gems were delicious and sweet!

THE JANUARY SALE HAS BEGUN.....!!!!!
All prices displayed in the online store are the sale prices. Some little paintings have been marked down by as much as 50% and there are one or two EVEN BIGGER bargains to be found....so have a good look! It's time to make way for new daily paintings!
All prices are displayed in $ as it is the most easily recognized currency but if you live in South Africa, please contact me for the price in ZAR (South African Rands). I am also offering free postage  within South Africa! Contact me on heidishedlock@gmail.com
I hope your favorite little painting is still waiting for you....and at a good price.....so click on the highlighted writing below to take a look at the SALE! Happy shopping!
Sale ends 12pm on Friday 31 January!

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Late afternoon calm #116

Daily painting #116. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Today has been a busy, hot and just downright hectic day! By this afternoon I desperately needed some 'time out' but was still so busy with my children. I think my car has gulped petrol (gas/fuel) down as quickly as I have been gulping water down today, with all the time I spent in the car! By late afternoon when I finally arrived home I found a quiet place on my upstairs verandah and enjoyed the calm and peace.... I painted the late afternoon sky but today was not about the painting! It was more about doing something that restores that inner peace! Sometimes we just have to stop and 'smell the roses' or in my case 'observe the changing sky'.....we all need a little 'time out' every now and again!

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Old friends #115

                       

Daily painting #115. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel  SOLD

It is so good to have all the ladies arriving back at the studio for classes! Not only is it great to discuss new projects with them, it is also lovely to hear everyones news from the holiday....like catching up with good friends! Many of the paintbrushes haven't been pulled out of the bag since our last class (oh dear!!!)....but it won't be long before they too are feeling like old friends!
It's time to get those brushes to work again....

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Orange and red #114

Daily painting #114. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

A 21st is something to celebrate....or does that only apply to birthdays? Either way....I am celebrating! I am 21 days into the 30/30 challenge and to date have painted 114 paintings in 114 days.  Studio classes have begun again, my children are off to a happy but busy start to the school year and I am managing to still find the time to complete a daily painting....not to mention doing other work too!
Life is busy, but good....and let's face it....a good celebration (or feeling gratitude) is always good for the soul! What can you think of that you could celebrate(or be grateful for) today?

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Cherries #113

Daily painting #113. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Cherries are getting harder and harder to find in the shops now, so I was so excited to find some today! Sadly though, they did not have the same sweetness as the cherries which came out at the end of last year. These were bitter, a bit hard and not nearly as juicy.... sadly! At least they can be put to good use in the studio.....they were the perfect models!

Day 20 of the 30/30 challenge....only 10 days to go....

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Rose study No.2

Daily painting #112. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas board SOLD

I have a large rose painting I am supposed to complete for someone and I have been procrastinating about getting it started....don't ask me why ....I start a new painting every day!!!! So today I set myself a challenge....to do a rose study for my daily painting to get my eye in and to get me into the mood for roses....and then begin the larger one! So here is the little rose study....and the larger painting is nearly complete too....just a bit more work! A good days 'work'....it's amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it!

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Uprooted #111

Daily painting #111. 8"x10 oil on stretched canvas

The KZNSA gallery is having its members exhibition from 21 January to 16 February. The theme for the exhibition is Grass Roots. Today's daily painting "Uprooted" will be submitted for the exhibition.  "Uprooted" by definition suggests ....to remove or tear away from a native place or environment...to displace, as from a home or country; tear away, as from customs or a way of life....
Rather a melancholic take on the theme, but having said goodbye to so many friends and family who have moved abroad, the theme once explored, evoked a very real emotion....

 This painting will not be available for purchase on my online store. Anyone interested in purchasing the painting should contact the KZNSA gallery directly. And just for the record ...my grass in the garden will no longer need a trim....I just about pulled out (what felt like) every blade of grass in my front garden to try find one with a root interesting enough to paint!!!

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Morning glow #110

Daily painting #110. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Today was one of those busy days when so much was happening that if I didn't spend some quiet time doing a little painting before the rush began, today might have been the day I did not do a little daily painting! Kids are back at school, so we are off to an early start anyway...but for me that moment of quiet before the rest of the house wakes is like soul food ....I relish that time of day! I can never get tired of the rush of excitement at capturing, quickly and immediately, the light as it changes in the early morning!
So this is how my day began....the peace (and soul food) before the madness of a busy day!

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Granny Smith apples #109

Daily painting #109. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Two Grannies huddle together, in the shadows on the shelf ....to catch up on market gossip....

(In case you are wondering who or where the grannies are....Granny Smith is a variety of green apple sold here in South Africa. It is crisp and tart in flavour)

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