Roses and earth tremors #311

Daily painting #311. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel  $65

It was dark and gloomy in the studio yesterday afternoon and I decided to use only the gentle light from the studio window. I was sitting painting at my easel in the gloomy light, when my chair felt as if it was being bumped. Thinking the cat had climbed up behind me and was scratching himself and therefor bumping me, I proceeded to scold him and as I moved to chase him I realized he wasn't there....and yet I could still feel a slight vibration on the chair! The cat also raised his head from another corner of the studio and looked at me curiously....clearly also thinking my mind had finally tipped me over the edge. It was really strange and as fast as it happened I was left thinking perhaps I had imagined it! Only a few hours later  did I hear on the news that there was an earthquake near Johannesburg measuring 5.5. In South Africa that is huge as earthquakes are rare! In Durban we received mild tremors from the shock waves and so I have redeemed myself and I am not so crazy after all. The earth really was moving under me....and I was not imagining things. Sadly one person lost their life and many others were injured as some miners were trapped underground. There have been warnings that further earthquakes or tremors could occur and in South Africa where major natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes etc are not common, this "little" earthquake is making huge headlines! Ebola virus, earthquakes....please Mother Nature, Africa needs a little TLC!

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

Cloud study #310

Daily painting #310. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel

A little time observing the sky....painting the sky plein air is always a challenge because of the immediacy with which you need to capture the mood as the clouds shift and the light alters. There were some majestic clouds in the sky today ...but still no sign of rain! Our weather has been beautiful considering it is winter and being outdoors is fabulous! The only thing that is a concern is that we have had such a beautiful warm winter, what heat is heading our way come Summer...not my favorite time of year in Durban! For now I am enjoying this perfect winter weather....

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

Winter blossom #309

Daily painting #309. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel 

I have no idea what this winter flowering tree is called. It looks rather like a cherry blossom but I know it isn't. It is probably an alien species (not indigenous to South Africa) but it is beautiful all the same ...and I enjoyed engaging with the delicate forms of the little blossoms. Nothing like a few chunky brush marks to get you going for the day! 

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

Morning East Coast #308

Daily painting #308. Watercolor in sketchbook NFS

A new watercolor journal purchased.....yippee!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

Sketchbook #307

Daily painting #307 watercolor and pen in sketchbook NFS

Congratulations to Andy Swanepoel and Ryan Scott who are the winners of the lucky draw. Thank you both for the orders you placed this week, your free daily painting of your choice will be posted to you along with your order. Thank you too to all the other loyal supporters of Paintings in the post who purchased paintings this week! Your support is much appreciated! 

This post is going live online a little later than usual today because the special offer and giveaway only ended at midnight last night and I wanted to do the lucky draw and notify the winners prior to posting it online. I spent most of yesterday getting paintings packaged and ready to be posted and having a little tidy up around the studio! I have not had a chance to use any of the new watercolors, inks or drawing pens that I purchased in the UK and so I decided to have some 'play time' for my daily painting instead of painting with my trusty oils. Problem....my watercolor sketch pad had run out so I worked in my moleskin journal used for drawing....bad plan you will probably think! I was so desperate to use the new materials so I ignored what I knew would happen and went along with it anyway....the paper was too thin to hold the water....it wrinkled and curled and the paint didn't move around at all, it muddied and blotched and did all of those horrible things I knew it would do on the wrong kind of paper! But I didn't mind....as I mention so often, don't let the pressure of feeling that everything you do needs to be a masterpiece stop you from doing something. Paint, play, enjoy, have fun, experiment and most importantly DO IT.....if you happen to have a few pieces that turn out ok along the way, that's an added bonus! The fear of mistakes is our greatest stumbling block....so next time you are scared, nervous or reticent to do something, you probably NEED to do it! Have fun and enjoy your materials....don't worry about who is going to see it or what people will think! If I can share my mistakes and messes online....you can do it too! Do something rather than nothing!

Purchase paintings at Heidi Shedlock Fine Art

A touch of yellow ...Moth No.4 #306

Daily paintings #306 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel $40

Last day today to make use of the SPECIAL OFFER and GIVEAWAY!!!! Free postage worldwide and the chance to be one of 2 people to win a second painting of your choice for free! The offer ends at midnight (SA time) tonight and the lucky draw will take place tomorrow!

This little dash of yellow was found in my studio.....I seem to attract these little visitors!

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

Home #305

Daily painting #305. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel  

There really is no place like home! I know my mum is feeling better because she is wanting to get back home...to her own house! So today I am full of gratitude ....for my beautiful home and the fact that I was able to bring my mum into my home to recover....for my amazing husband who insisted my mum come to our house until she felt better....for my mums healing and recovery (she is a tough cookie!!).... for my amazing work and passion which allows me to be at home when I need to be...and last but not least to every single one of you who have dropped off a flower, visited, called to send her well wishes, or even sent me messages wishing her a speedy recovery, even though some of you don't even know her, your thoughts have been with me....and I am SO grateful! 

This wasn't meant to sound like some 'Oscar award speech', but rather just a chance to say ''THANK YOU". I always tell my children to say 'thank you' costs nothing and we don't do it often enough, so today I am practicing what I preach to my kids! 

My mum is feeling better and going home .....thank you! 

Only a few days left of the SPECIAL OFFER (free postage) and GIVEAWAY..... so don't miss out! All details on blogpost #300 and #301!

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