Visitors and roses #362

Daily painting #362. 5"x7" oil on primed canvas panel

I had the most special visitor this week and she arrived with a bunch of yellow roses to wish me 'Happy 40th birthday"! When I lived in London almost 17 years ago, Mrs Peck was my landlady. She owned the house I stayed in, in Malbrook Road, Putney. She became like my 'English mother' for the time I spent over there and although we initially stayed in touch, we had sadly lost contact over the years. I was determined to try to track her down when I returned to London in July....I was not even sure she still lived in London! It's a really long story which I won't bore you with but I managed to find her and imagine her surprise when she arrived home from church one Sunday morning to find me on her doorstep! It was so special to reunite with her...she is almost 80 years old and yet looks just the same as I remember her! She is in South Africa visiting friends at the moment and popped in for some tea and a visit. I can't believe that I have seen her twice in 1 year after not seeing her for almost 17 years! It was wonderful to see photos of her grandchildren and her daughters, Belinda and Georgina, who I have such fond memories of. I hope to see her again sometime, which means another trip to London.....wishful thinking on our current exchange rate but one can always hope....(hint hint to my darling husband)

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Moth - an offering #361

Daily painting #361 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I know that some of you get uncomfortable when I paint strange (not so 'pretty') things like moths and medication ....and I will admit to having a giggle when I read and hear some of the comments. But this little moth was an offering left behind by my cat! It's wings were damaged and I don't really want to give much thought to his ending because that makes me feel uncomfortable! But by nature cats are predators, like it or not, and the fact that my little black and white cat (ironically named Noo-Noo) chose to leave his little catch in my new studio is a break through! I have often painted Noo-Noo and called him my studio companion, but my studio companion has deserted me since I moved into my new studio space. He clearly doesn't like it! He sits defiantly at the door gazing at me disdainfully through half closed eyes. My appeals to come in are met with a slight tilt of the head in the opposite direction....the kind of defiance that from my children would result in a scolding! His little routine and his daily habits have been disturbed but I am hoping to win him over....I miss my little furry friend in my studio! Hopefully his little offering left behind at my easel is his way of saying 'hey this space isn't so bad' and hopefully he will be back again soon!

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Thank you...x #360

Daily painting #360. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel SOLD

Sending flowers your way....from me to you...and hugs, thanks and blessings for all the beautiful birthday messages I received from all around the world! I felt loved, blessed and extremely fortunate to feel so much love on a birthday! It certainly was a special one! Tomorrow is a public holiday in South Africa so I will be celebrating over a lovely lunchtime celebration with my family and a very special friend! My cousin (she is actually like my sister) Candice will be there in spirit and I will be raising my glass to her in her absence for making this year (she made Paintings in the post go viral) the most unforgettable year! With only 5 days to go to reach a year of daily painting....I have lots to celebrate! Cheers to you Candice in Chicago....and to all the wonderful people that sent me messages.....thank you...thank you!

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A little piece of 40! #359

Daily painting #359. 6"x6" oil on primed canvas panel

I have had quite a few people ask me how I feel about turning 40. Quite frankly it feels no different to any other birthday and I certainly don't feel like I am about to hit a major (midlife) crisis....nor do I feel like life is about to begin (apparently life only begins at 40) ! Actually I have a feeling that tomorrow (today by the time you read this post)  will feel pretty much the same as any other special day surrounded by my awesome family! I am quite sure too that the day after will feel pretty much the same too! I am glad I am not buying into the whole "life begins at 40" story or I might be setting myself up for disappointment! I think what I am trying to say is that I am really quite happy with how life is treating me right now and I don't think it has anything to do with age and everything to do with choices.....to choose to be happy and grateful is a fine thing! Long may that last...regardless of my age! So tomorrow I will celebrate a coming of an age feeling grateful for all that has passed and hopeful and enthusiastic for all that is still to come!
A special Paintings in the post follower in Canada is celebrating her 60th birthday on the same day as me....so "Happy birthday Martine....from me to you! xx" (I hope you get around to reading this post)

Lastly I have some exciting news to share.....
There is going to be a Paintings in the post exhibition here in Durban to celebrate reaching 365 days of daily paintings! All the details will be shared soon!

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Glacé cherries #358

Daily painting #358. 4"x6" oil on primed canvas panel 

Time to do some baking this week....and trying to decide what to decorate the cake with. I wanted something simple. I thought these glacé cherries (the ones in the syrupy red juice) might look quite bright and cheerful. One of my children exclaimed "yum" and the other grimaced like they wanted to be ill! So it's back to the drawing board ....I bet no one will moan about grated chocolate instead!

It's a big week of birthdays and a whole year of little daily paintings to celebrate!

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Medication #357

Daily painting #357. Watercolor on A5 watercolor paper

I hate taking medication! But I have been struggling with a sinus infection and terrible headaches from the blocked sinuses and so I have finally given in ...and got some mediation to take to try clear it up! I even struggle to swallow the tablets which seem to sit momentarily in my throat resisting me as much as I resist them! I have tried natural nasal sprays and other things this week but nothing seems to have worked....so I am desperate! I even steered clear of my oil paints today, painting with watercolors instead. I know the turpentine, although it's artists quality, is havoc for my sinuses....occupational hazard perhaps!

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Four figs #356

Daily painting #356. 6"x8" oil on primed canvas panel 

For someone who nearly a year ago was terrified of publishing anything that I had written and felt more comfortable (and still do!) with images than words, I certainly have had a lot to say for myself in the last two days! 

So today is short and sweet....four figs from the painting demonstration, which wasn't so bad after all!

If you didn't see the image I shared yesterday of some of the little paintings I put out for everyone see....here it is below. I don't often look at them like this. I loved seeing so many little daily paintings together...like a reunion with close old friends!

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