Let it rain.... #388

Daily painting #388 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I painted early this morning because I knew I wasn't going to find time later in the day. I was teaching a painting class and then directly afterwards heading off to a day/night school cricket game that my son was playing in, in Pietermaritzburg (about an hour inland from Durban). I really didn't feel like driving home late at night (the game was scheduled to finish at about 9.30pm) on a notoriously accident prone road. There was also rain forecast for later in the evening and I was hoping we were not going to travel to the game only for it to be called off! So I sat painting secretly willing (my son would be mad with me) the small cluster of rain clouds on the horizon to head our way sooner rather than later! But as Murphy's Law would have it, the game went ahead only for it to be called off at about 8.30 with only a few overs to go because of the rain! So the game wasn't finished after all ...those clouds arrived a little later than I had hoped but at least we did get to head on home a bit earlier and the boys did enjoy some cricket even if the game was called off. The down side is that I know I am going to have one grumpy and VERY tired pre-teen in the morning who after school is going to have to be cajoled into learning for exams.....wish me luck!

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Mini bunch #387

Daily painting #387 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

A little painting sketch of some roses from the market. Some open blooms and a few buds. Wish I could tell you they came from my garden but that would be wishful on my part!

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At my window #386

Daily painting #386 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

I haven't spent much time in my studio over the last few days other than to complete my daily painting. I have had such flu that I have been climbing into my bed at every opportunity and working on my laptop. I am putting together a printed journal, in book form, of my 365 days of daily painting for my exhibition which opens on the 30th October. So if you have messaged me or emailed me and I haven't got back to you....apologies ...I will tackle all my mail tomorrow when I am hopefully feeling a bit better! 

We have had huge rain and gusty winds lately so I had removed the bird feeders so that they did not get damaged in the strong wind. I was dreading going into my studio today. I felt feverish and didn't want to move from my bed! As for what to paint for my daily painting....well I simply had no idea today which is probably why I didn't feel like facing my daily painting either! But I dragged myself off to my studio anyway and am so glad I did!!!! My little feathered friends had gathered outside my studio and immediately started creating a fuss when they realized I was there. The rain had stopped and there was still no feeder outside. They flapped, fussed and chirped until I opened my studio door. They then all flurried away in a mass of feathers and fluttering. I placed the bird feeder out and watched from my studio as they feasted .....where had I been....and where was the food? What a big fuss they were making....

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Strawberry whirl biscuits #385

Daily painting #385 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

Strawberry whirls were my favourite biscuits as a kid! When my mum would buy a box of Bakers Assorted biscuits I would always reach for these first (and secretly hope no one else would do the same). I bought a box of Strawberry Whirls when we had a house full of kids visiting and I laughed when I noticed them eating the biscuit round so that they were left with just the strawberry centre....I used to do exactly the same thing! Needless to say the box was finished in a flash, except for the one I saved to paint. I had to take a bite first...it made the painting more interesting and to be honest, I couldn't resist!

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Jasmine #384

Daily painting #384. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

The Jasmine is in full flower in my garden and the perfume is heavenly!!!

I often get asked how long a daily painting takes me. I set myself a time limit of 45 minutes maximum....some days it takes me a little longer though and on other days I have even less time because I just don't have 45 minutes spare in my day! The idea is to paint daily ....not create master pieces daily (that's impossible). I think of my daily painting as an exercise ...it's a ritual ...a daily routine! If I didn't try to set some kind of time limit, the painting would never be finished because our self critical nature finds it SO hard to decide when something is complete...we never feel it is good enough. "Perhaps a little more...?" We always ask this question. This type of routine has helped me to work and move away with less self criticism ....even on the days when I would love to rework an image! I have to learn to walk away....and be less self critical and rather enjoy the process! It's a very different experience to working through the process of creating an image over a period of time.

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Late night bunch #383

Daily painting #383 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Another little mini....it's late at night, there is a storm outside and heavy rain. It is freezing cold and I am full of flu with a temperature. So tonight it is short and sweet because my bed is calling my name...

A little bit of 'pretty' from my home to yours! It's almost the weekend...hope you have a fabulous one!

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Fleshy figs #382

Daily painting #382. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

Juicy, fleshy and sweet! All that's missing is some delicious creamy cheese, crusty bread and a chilled glass of wine!

Two weeks today until the opening of my Paintings in the post exhibition at Gallery 415 in Umgeni Road....hope to see you there if you are in Durban!

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