Beach Scene Painting

This was the challenge on the DSFDS blog for the past 2 weeks. I love doing paintings like this. You only need a few basic colours and shapes to create the right feeling for the painting. This week the artists realy did a great job with this beach scene.

Beach Babe
Original oil on board 25x60cm
R500

Orchid Painting

I love painting orchids.

Orchid 4
Original oil on boxed maxonite 60x35cm
R650

Children Painting

This is another painting I did of my children. With only one swing for two kids to share there is always one having a good time and another feeling sorry for themself :)

My Turn
Original oil on boxed board 60x40cm
R700

The river swing

A few months ago I took some photos of my kids playing by the river next to our house. They were the perfect inspiration to do some more paintings of children. Rocky, the Jack Russel follows them where ever they go.

River Swing
Original oil on boxed supawood 60x40cm
R700

Mexico Paintings

Last month I took part in a gallery exhibition with an Indian theme. This month the theme is Mexico. I thought it would be quite easy to get inspiration but have to admit it was a real struggle. I didn't want to do the typical Frida Calho paintings that people would expect from an exhibition like this. After much reading and google searching on the subject I decided to use Chihuahuas as my inspiration since they are native to Mexico. They are such cute dogs and it was a lot of fun painting them.

The first painting I did was with Chihuahuas only. I love the red jumper and also added the flowers as a fun element.

3 Chihuahuas
Original oil on board 40x60cm
SOLD

I decided to do a Frida painting after all but also added the chihuahua and flowers just to add another elements to the painting.

Frida & Chihuahua
Original oil on board 60x40cm

Last India paintings

My "india" exhibition paintings are completed. I almost feel sad, it was such fun. I am already thinking about a next theme...

I can't wait to take them to the gallery on Wednesday and see the other artist's paintings. This is a fun gallery and has a "anything goes" attitude. They realy give artists the freedom to explore their creative side to the full.

Will take photos on Friday at the opening and show you what talented artists there are in South Africa.

India 5
Mixed media on boxed masonite 60x90cm

SOLD

India 4
Mixed media on boxed masonite 30x60cm
SOLD

The invitation

More India paintings for Duncan Yard

These are the next 2 paintings I finished for the February exhibition. I realy am having so much fun with them. The more I play around with shapes and transfers the more ideas I get for future paintings.

India 2
Mixed media on boxed masonite 30x30cm

India 3
Mixed media on boxed masonite 30x60cm

SOLD

India painting for The Gallery at Duncan Yard

After a month of holidays and getting the kids back to school I have been dying to start my first painting of 2009.

Cecily at The Gallery at Duncan Yard invited me to take part in their group exhibition next month, just the inspiration I was looking for. The theme is "With love from India".

At first I was unsure where to start. I had all these weird and colourfull images in my head but after much thought and consideration I came up with the following painting.

This is going back to my roots as a crafter. I used gold leaf, decoupage and photo transfers as a base and then painted the lotus flowers in oils and aged the whole painting with burnt sienna.

I am very happy with the end result and think it does capture a romantic image of India.

With the creative juices flowing I am planning on doing 6 paintings for the exhibition which starts in 2 weeks!!

India 1
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Magnolias

My bother in law commissioned these paintings for my sister as Christmas presents. I hope she likes them. I loved painting them and the colours came out just as I imagined they would. They are also my last paintings of the year. Tomorrow this time I will be sitting on the beach :)

See you in 2009!

Magnolia 3
original oil on board 60x60cm

Magnolia 4
original oil on board

On the Pier

I finished this painting last week, just in time for our much anticipated exhibition. I had the picture for quite some time and couldn't wait to start painting. I like the soft colours and peacefull feeling of the scene.

The exhibition exceeded all our expectations. This was the first time we arranged it and people were amazed at the talent of people in our neighbourhood. I will post some photos as soon as I get them.

Sitting on the Pier
Original oil on board 30x60cm

Different Strokes Challenge

I can't believe almost a week has gone by and this all I have to show. The challenge is a great way of forcing me to paint. This painting is part of the Different Strokes blog challenge.

The real reason I haven't been painting as much as I would like, is the time and effort that goes into arranging an exhibition. We have now grown to 16 artists and 3 jewelers! All the preparations are now in place and we are just waiting for the artists to bring their work on Friday. I am realy excited, it is going to be a great opening party with friends.

Walker
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Different Strokes Challenge

This was the challenge on Karin Jurick's blog Different Strokes for last week. I am always looking forward to Wednesdays when she posts the photo for the next week.

I enjoyed doing this one and I think next week's one will be a real challenge. It is of a woman walking past a shop front.

This has been a fun filled week planning the upcoming exhibition for next week Friday. What started out with my neighbour down the road and myself has grown to 14 artists! It should be a lot of fun. Can't wait!

Shadows
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Figurative Paintings

After all the paintings I have been doing these past few months I feel that I have finally found a style that suits my way of painting. I start all my paintings on a dark background and work towards the light. I also prime my canvas with a type of filler that gives a wonderfull texture to support the dry brush technique that I use.

Blue Denim 1
Original oil on board 38x75cm

Blue Denim 2
Original oil on board 38x75cm

US Capitol Painting

The weekly challenge on the Different Strokes blog for this week was well connected to the US elections. Even though I am in South Africa I couldn't help but also get excited during the run up to the elections. Congratulations to Barak Obama, may this new era in American politics be good to the people of this earth.

US Capitol - Washington
Original oil on board 30x30cm

New Signatures Exhibition

My paintings was part of Portchie Gallery's "new signatures" exhibition this past weekend. I sold my 3 red "poppy" paintings and am gratefull for the exposure they give new artists.

Some of my paintings at the exhibition

These are some of Thea Burger's paintings that was also on show. I just love her use of colour and carefree way of painting. Go and have a look at her lovely blog.

This cow was the www.differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com challenge for the week. I always enjoy painting cows and this one was no exception. Go and check out all the other lovely cows.

Cow
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Unica Christmas Market

The biggest Christmas Market in South Africa started today in Pretoria. It is the 21st year that the market is held and it just gets bigger every year. There are 250 exhibitors and it is the ideal place to do early holliday shopping.

The market is organized by the Unica School for children with autism. Every exhibitor gives a percentage of their sales to the school.

This is the first year I am participating. I am selling original paintings and prints. I do hope it goes well!

My paintings

Cups and Bowls

I have been working towards a huge ChristmasMarket that starts this coming Monday.

These are some of the paintings.

Cups 1
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Cups 2
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Bowls 1
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Bowls 2
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Children Paintings

Today I am sharing some paintings I have done on children. I adore these paintings. They are charming, colourfull and just a lot of fun.

Smelling the Flowers
Original oil on board 30x30cm
SOLD

Going Away
Original oil on board 30x30cm
SOLD

By the River
Original oil on board 30x30cm

SOLD

Going Swimming
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Learning to Ride
Original oil on board 30x30cm
SOLD

Swinging
Original oil on board 30x30cm
SOLD

The Beach
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Field of poppies

I painted these poppies as a set of 2. The other one has already been sold. I love the darker background against the lovely bright colour of the flowers

Field Of Poppies 2
Original oil on board 30x30cm