Bone China and a Navel (orange) #49

Daily painting #49  6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board  SOLD

This little bone china cup is like a cat with nine lives! It has a broken handle and has had far too many close encounters with the floor! I have to admit to being a bit of a hoarder when it comes to the broken, discarded and unused, especially if it is pretty or quirky and can be used to hold flowers, pens or paintbrushes. It will usually end up on the shelves in my studio, with all the other 'junk' and treasures!
I bought some juicy Navel oranges from the market and they were sitting, along with all the beautiful 'junk' on the shelf in the studio....this little broken cup just caught my eye. And so it has been given another 'new life' ... on my canvas! Who says the 'broken' can't be beautiful....

The key #48

Daily painting #48  4"x6" oil painting on canvas board

The key to ... happiness. The key to ... success. The key to ... I have no idea what!!! I found this key today while looking for something. I am fascinated, as I don't remember ever seeing it before and yet it must belong to something or for somewhere...!!! It is actually quite beautiful, it is solid and old and looks like it could be straight out of Alice in Wonderland or The Secret Garden! I have checked old cabinets and cupboards in the house and it doesn't seem to fit...but it must be the key to ... something! For now it is the key ... to a random daily recording, in paint!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

Pink bunch #47

Daily painting #47  6"x6" oil  painting on primed canvas board SOLD


Some people love 'pretty' rose paintings and others just don't. Either way...I know of very few of us who don't love to be given a pretty bunch of the real thing! I love having flowers in my home...and besides who doesn't enjoy a little spoiling every now and again?

Well I am feeling generous ...keen to to give something away in appreciation for all the interest and encouragement I have received from so many of you! Keen for a little spoiling? Receive your own painting in the post...as a gift! You even get to choose which painting you would like, from the ones that are still available. Take part in my giveaway going on now at ReFab Diaries. I would love to spoil you......the more entries you have....the better your chances. Entry closes 19 November. Good luck....x

Purple 'Red' Onion #46

Daily painting #46  6"x 6" oil painting on primed canvas board  SOLD

So how does a red (actually more purple) onion land up on my canvas? Well today has been one of those manic days when too much is happening and nothing goes according to plan. One of those days when I need to spilt myself in 2 between 2 children that both need me in the afternoon and the hour or so I normally try to spend in my studio on the mornings I teach, was today absorbed by other things on the 'to do' list which took much longer than expected! Are you starting to relate .....? If any of you are wives or mothers you will also relate to how as the day runs away with you faster than anticipated, a nagging question lingers in the back of  your mind, "What am I going to cook for supper(evening meal)?"

Well I was still thinking that as I walked in the door and standing in the kitchen with my kids, we were making a team effort of trying to come up with something quick and easy....when suddenly my son jumped upright from the vegetable basket enthusiastically holding something. We turned to him thinking he had a great culinary suggestion...."Mom look at the colour of this onion....you have to paint it!" We all looked at one another and started to laugh ....daily painting is clearly having an effect on us all.... crazy Mom....crazy kids! So I painted the onion, after feeding my family, putting them to bed and finding some peace, rest and solitude in the quiet of my studio. Daily painting really is the recording of the mundane and the ordinary that for some or other reason just catches your attention.....

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?

Blue and white bowl...with a dash of red #44

Daily painting #44  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board SOLD

Below is an image of how the morning started out in my studio....lots of eagerness and enthusiasm and it's perfect "huddle in your studio and paint" rainy weather! But.....the composition was all wrong....the bowl couldn't sit slap in the middle of the canvas, and besides....that's just plain boring....SO I began again!! The strawberries I was eating for breakfast while I painted saved the day! Never underestimate the humble strawberry....it saved "Blue and White bowl" ....with a dash of red!

Summer Aloe #43

Daily painting #43 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

The aloe is a succulent plant that is native to Africa....they are beautiful when they flower and grow in abundance in KwaZulu Natal. I am currently working on 2 large commissioned paintings for the board room of a South African company, but most aloes flower in our winter months and so I'm working from photographic references I took on my July trip to the game reserve.

Because I'm painting aloes at the moment, I'm drawn to looking at every aloe I see, observing shapes, colours, tones....and have felt cheated in not being able to enjoy the vibrant flowers which have already drooped and fallen with the onset of summer. I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful flowering aloe in my mum-in-laws garden!! It's beautiful coral blooms jumping out at me ....I couldn't believe my eyes! Apparently it is a summer flowering variety.....well ....you learn something new everyday!!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art