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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Bowl of white #58

Daily painting #58  6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board. SOLD

Today was a busy day...catching up on chores, doing admin (my worst) and trying to get my house back in order after the weekend exhibition. The paintings are all sorted and ready to return to their owners, my house is looking like my 'home' again and some little paintings are packaged and ready to travel! The only evidence remaining of the weekends celebrations is the bowls of flowers!

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Bunny on the floor #57

Daily painting #57  6"x8" oil on primed canvas board

It is nearing the end of another happy weekend. Fun has been had by all and my daughter has been playing up a storm! Little plastic villages and fluffy creatures, dolls and figurines camp out on the floor. Some are having tea parties, some are tucked into little miniature beds and others like 'Mommy bunny' have been left on the floor, abandoned ....for now....school holidays are a week away...and then let the playing begin!! For now though...it's tidy up time! 

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Cerulean #56

Daily painting #56  5"x7" oil painting on primed canvas board

"I found I could say things with colour and shapes and paint that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."

GEORGIA O'KEEFFE

A calm, relaxing afternoon after a busy week....just me...and my paints....

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End of the Season (cricket ball) #55

Daily painting #55 6"x8" oil painting on primed canvas board  SOLD



It is the end of a season. Endings make way for new beginnings. We are nearing the end of another year, (our school year runs Jan-Nov), another happy term of studio classes is drawing to an end and the first half of cricket season is almost up!

Cricket is  a popular game in South Africa and while I may not have a sporty bone in my body, I am married to a professional cricket coach. My husband Andrew runs his own cricket academy called Shedders Cricket Academy, and naturally my son too, lives to play cricket! If you don't know anything about cricket....cricket usually lasts the whole day....sometimes it can last 5 days...it is a long game that I have had to learn to enjoy watching, but it is time consuming to say the least. Cricket season is always a busy time in our house!

So finally we have reached the end of another season, cricket kit (and tired bodies) can be given a rest. The studio exhibition was a great success, only a few more days of school and ....another 'season' is over....think it's time for Summer holidays!

A Floral Welcome #54

Daily painting #54  6"x6" oil painting on primed canvas board.  SOLD

I love fresh flowers in my home! Tomorrow evening I am opening up my home for an end of year exhibition and cocktail party for all of my 'students'. Every person, regardless of whether they are a beginner or have been painting for years, has to participate in the exhibition and submit at least one piece of work which has been completed this year. It is a wonderful celebration of a years achievements, a chance to reflect together and most importantly an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful opportunity we have been given to nurture and explore our creativity. 

So....most of the furniture has been removed from my back veranda and entertainment area.... stacks of paintings are waiting to be hung in the morning and my house is full of beautiful fresh flowers...ready to welcome everyone into my home tomorrow! I promise to share a few photos with you....it is sure to be a special evening!

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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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