Long weekend #580

Daily painting #580 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

By the time I had got my slow behind out of bed this morning (I was tired), the sky had lost that beautiful morning glow and the crisp blue of the new day was already squeezing its way through the chilly morning cloud. I haven't painted much this week...the week seems to have slipped by in blur! 

I have realized that in order to allow myself to heal (it's taking far too darn long for my impatient being) I need to be kind to myself and I simply can't do it all! I still have a boot on my leg and need the support of only one crutch now. That being said I am back teaching all my classes, have had visual art exam papers to grade this week and my own kids are writing exams, not to mention hockey matches and piano exams thrown into an already manic week. One joy is that I have managed to cook supper every night this week (my husband is sighing with relief I think) and I ended the busy week off with a delicious balsamic slow roasted lamb which cooked for about 5 hours yesterday filling the house with the most glorious, heavenly aromas all afternoon. My darling son Ross, on arriving home, took in the aroma and grinned at me "Mom is back!" he said. I was about to explain that I hadn't been anywhere but I knew what he meant....he made me feel loved! So the busy week ended off with a delicious family meal and a bottle of yummy Diemersfontein Pinotage wine.

Today starts a long weekend. Tuesday is a Public Holiday and schools are closed on Monday so 4 days of some go-slow time (and study time for my kiddies). I woke up desperate to paint. It really isn't even about what I paint, I just need to paint! It's good for my soul and that quiet time with my own head space is like food for my soul tank....it sorts me out! I don't know why I allowed the week to go by without painting. So this weekend I will spend some much needed time in my studio. I have a beautiful painting of a gorgeous little girl to finish for her grandma (Annie if you are reading this I haven't forgotten you), I have a large floral painting to finish and I am going to fit in a quick daily painting whenever I can....this weekend I NEED to paint!

What are you up to this weekend? I would love to hear from you....
Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings and for all purchase details )

Rossy red buds #579

Daily painting #579 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Mmmmm....some more florals....rosey red buds to brighten up your day. My daughter is doing her piano exam today at the Durban Music School and my son starts his mid-year exams at school. So we all need a little cheering up in this house (the tension!!!!!) ....I hope you have a cheery day too....and I hope my kiddies ace their exams today!!!! (Holding thumbs!) 

P.S. Sorry about all the explanation marks, can you feel the tension (!!!!)

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings and for all purchase details)

Cheese and mustard powder #578

Daily painting #578 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

It's been a tough week of trying to get back to 'normal' (Am I normal? Maybe not!) so I was determined to end the week with getting back into my kitchen. My son has been craving French toast for breakfast...so French toast it was. My husband planned to stoke up his regular Sunday fire and braai (barbecue) so I decided to make some homemade cumin and coriander burger patties for a change to charred (burnt - don't tell him I said that) meat.  Granny Jean (my mother-in-law) was also coming around for mid-morning tea, so I made some Cheese scones (Aunty Pat's Cheese scones to be specific). Talk about getting back into my kitchen...I think I did a pretty  fine job! I also did a pretty fine job of leaving a wake of devastation behind me and my kitchen looked like it needed a cleaning fairy to clean my mess. Unfortunately for my husband he was the 'cleaning fairy', with the help of the trusty dishwasher!

Aunty Pat's Cheese Scones (muffins) were a favorite growing up. She seemed to whip them up for afternoon tea in minutes and they really are dead easy. My little painting is of 2 of the ingredients but I think I will share the rest of them with you...maybe you will give them a try! I would love to hear from you if you do...happy (easy-peasy) baking!

• 1 cup flour
• 1cup grated cheese
• 1/4 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I prefer a little paprika or dried mixed herbs)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2tsp baking powder
• 1 cup milk

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and place into muffin trays (I usually use mini muffin pans and make bite size ones). Bake at 180 C for about 15-20 min. Eat while warm.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a recipe for a change (I even took a photo for you) and not just the ingredients painted. I often get asked why I don't share the recipes for mushroom sauce, spicy aubergines, apple crumble, marinated olives, Christmas mince pies and cake...and all the other yummy things that find their way into my studio as objects or still life for daily paintings...so today I give you a recipe. I know Aunty Pat won't mind. What do you think? 

Busy day...full tummy...happy heart...exhausted and ready for bed!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings and for all purchase details)

Weekend floral #577

Daily painting #577 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

A little bit of floral to brighten up your weekend! I love flowers and floral patterns...but I think I have have told you that before!

Thank you to everyone that left comments on the blog and joined in the GIVEAWAY fun! Please feel free to stop by anytime and leave a comment or introduce yourself ... I would love to meet you..and hear from you.

Daily painting #82 is going to Randi Grace Nilsberg! My son pulled your name from the list of names so...CONGRATULATIONS! Please email me at heidishedlock@gmail.com with your postal address so that I can send you a Painting in the post! 

That was lots of fun...I will do it again some time soon.

Have a great Sunday!

P.S. What is it that on the day you want to announce a painting giveaway, the Internet connection is either nonexistent or so weak it keeps disconnecting....Murphy's law! Finally I am able to post...better late than never.

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings and for all purchase details)

GIVEAWAY!!

I HAVE A PAINTING TO GIVE AWAY....please join in the fun by leaving a comment on this blog page (I want to meet you all)!!!! I will share who the winner is on Sunday so there is still lots of time...read below for more details...

It's time for me to share some Paintings in the post love!! It's GIVEAWAY TIME!! 

I am giving away this 6"x8" daily painting. It is #82 in the series and is called "Protea for Christmas".

So how can you be part of the fun?

I would like to meet some of my Paintings in the post followers so...please leave a comment on the blog. I would like to know where you live, how do you follow Paintings in the post (Facebook, Instagram, Google+, email subscription etc). What do you enjoy about the blog and is there anything you would like to see more of? How could I improve the blog...would you like me to share anything else...more photos...other aspects of my creative life....etc. 

Basically I would like to hear from you....and meet you!

A name from the comments will be randomly selected and the person receiving the painting will be notified here on the blog on Sunday! So be sure to check!

So click on the comments button below (near the Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter buttons below), leave a comment and you could be getting a Painting in the post! 

(Only comments on the blog will be accepted for the giveaway offer, not comments on other social media platforms...thanks)

I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU 

Tons of love and a million thanks....

Heidi

(P.S. Good luck!)

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

It's time for me to share some Paintings in the post love!! It's GIVEAWAY TIME!! 

I am giving away this 6"x8" daily painting. It is #82 in the series and is called "Protea for Christmas".

So how can you be part of the fun?

I would like to meet some of my Paintings in the post followers so...please leave a comment on the blog. I would like to know where you live, how do you follow Paintings in the post (Facebook, Instagram, Google+, email subscription etc). What do you enjoy about the blog and is there anything you would like to see more of? How could I improve the blog...would you like me to share anything else...more photos...other aspects of my creative life....etc. 

Basically I would like to hear from you....and meet you!

A name from the comments will be randomly selected and the person receiving the painting will be notified here on the blog on Sunday! So be sure to check!

So click on the comments button below (near the Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter buttons below), leave a comment and you could be getting a Painting in the post! 

(Only comments on the blog will be accepted for the giveaway offer, not comments on other social media platforms...thanks)

I LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU 

Tons of love and a million thanks....

Heidi

(P.S. Good luck!)

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

What a week! #576

Daily painting #576 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

It is the start of Winter, although the days are still hot and muggy with no cooler weather at all! We have been blessed with the most breathtaking sunrises lately (best time of the year for beautiful morning skies) and last night as I sat watching my son's evening hockey match, a great ball of orange in a new moon was rising in a grand, stately manner over the evening sky. It dipped between the slight slivers of cloud, changing patterns and shapes until it revealed itself in a huge golden ball reflecting silver light over the ocean. In short....it was beautiful! Yes I know...I was supposed to be watching hockey but if you know me by now, you will know I can't miss out on a bit of sentiment! Speaking of sentiment, this week has been a big week for me. I have resumed teaching and have driven my car for the first time in 7 weeks! (I nearly kissed the dashboard I was so happy!) I am still on crutches and have been exhausted and sore by the end of the day, but I am so grateful to be up and about and I know I will get stronger each day now. I cannot help but be grateful for the most awesome people in the world....my family. They have kept me going through the last almost 8 weeks and quite frankly they rock my world! I love you guys!

My husband Andrew.....my rock, my best friend....yes and all those other wonderful things!

My son Ross...those dimples melt this Mommy's heart!

My daughter Amy....my little mini-me!

Mamma bear.....I love my Mum beyond measure and can't imagine life without her! Love you Mom x

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art
(Click on the highlighted writing to view gallery of available daily paintings and for all purchase details )