Looking up #408

Daily painting #408. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I would love to tell you that I was lying on the ground looking up at the clouds ....playing those imaginary games that children do....finding shapes in the clouds and making up stories and scenes as the clouds passed by (you did do that as a child right?)...

But instead I was sitting in my nice warm studio looking up out of the window! Today was one of those days when grey clouds hovered and the occasional bit of light pushed through only to be obliterated again by the looming heavy rain clouds. It was one of those days when you carry an umbrella all day in anticipation but nothing seems to happen...

Well as I am writing this evening, the rain is now finally falling outside even though the dark clouds have been teasing all day. The sound and smell of rain are one of my favourite things....

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The online store will reopen over the weekend once the Paintings in the post exhibition closes)

Rose pot and cherries #407

Daily painting #407 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

 For the first time ever I managed to delete my entire blogpost while trying to load it this morning!!! I could just weep...and have no idea what I carried on about ( I seemed to write a lot last night). I do recall mentioning that to let good cherries go to waste would be criminal...these were found at the bottom of my paint box after a very hurried tidy up at the gallery on Saturday morning. After a night in my paintbox they definitely weren't fit for consumption... but I could paint them again!
I also shared my daughters little painting. She loves art materials as much as I do so she has her own supplies (so that she doesn't touch mine) including a traveling paintbox with a limited palette of oil paints. Yesterday she joined me on the veranda to paint, set up a nectarine and a cherry and painted for half an hour, with little guidance and sheer enjoyment! At only 11 years old she has the potential to be a way better still life painter than her mamma!
Well here's to a good week...what a way to start a Monday morning deleting my entire blogpost...a comedy of errors...or perhaps I am just a technological idiot!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen this weekend with all the new little paintings that were not exhibited.)

Silver pot and cherries #406

Daily painting #406 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Painting in the gallery wasn't so bad after all. I managed to talk, answer a few questions and do a little daily painting. I was so nervous but once I saw a few familiar faces I felt much more at ease. So thank you so much if you popped into the gallery yesterday to say hello....despite my initial fear, I actually really enjoyed the morning!
The exhibition closes this Thursday if you still want to pop in to see, you have a few days left!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the 14th November with new little paintings that were not exhibited)

First light #405

Daily painting #405 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

My usual place for contemplation...
There is not a cloud in the sky this morning. Last night there was rain and everything is crisp, clean and fresh as the first light appears!
Tomorrow I have to paint my daily painting in the gallery at GALLERY 415....and I am terrified!! I have to paint with people watching....I have to share my very private and intimate space....and I suddenly feel like I have to 'get it right'. This is something I freed myself of long ago when completing a daily painting.....the need to 'get it right'. You simply can't 'get it right' every day! And then again what defines 'right'....so I have overcome these issues in my own headspace a long time ago. But tomorrow will be a little different. Fear and self doubt are the painters worst enemies and I am going to have to fight really hard with my inner voice tomorrow to just stay calm and enjoy the paint....regardless!
If you are in Durban I will be at the gallery tomorrow, Saturday at 9.30 am .....hope to meet you there!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the closing of the exhibition on the 14th November with all the new little paintings that have not been exhibited)

Nectarine #404

Daily painting #404. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

All the summer fruits are starting to pop up in the markets and on the shelves of the grocery stores. Nectarines, peaches, mangoes... Mmmmm the smell and taste is heavenly! Summer is almost here....my senses tell me so!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen after the 14th November with all the new little paintings that were not exhibited on the Paintings in the post exhibition )

Blueberries #403

Daily painting #403 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

Juicy little blueberries ...and thick natural yoghurt ...mmm!! Breakfast feast!

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Waiting #402

Daily painting #402  6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

This little chap was seen waiting patiently for a space on the feeder. The breakfast rush was on and no one was giving up their spot without a noise! Lots of flurry, feathers and bird seed...most of it landing on the ground as they squabbled for space ...all except my patient friend who eventually and rather cleverly, discovered that to feed off of the spilt offerings on the floor was a breakfast feast...with no fight!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(The Paintings in the post online store will reopen with all the new little paintings after the 14th November when the Paintings in the post exhibition closes)