Different strokes painting

My version of the Different Strokes challenge for this week. Go here to see the other artist's paintings.

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

Orchid Painting

On Sunday we had over all the family for lunch before everyone leaves for holiday. I decided to give everyone a painting for Christmas but that creates a lot of empty walls to fill. I painted this one to fill one of those empty spaces :)

Orchid 1
Original oil on board 30x60cm
SOLD

Painting Class

Yesterday we had our year end party at painting class. I love these ladies, they have become such good friends and painting partners.

Snaks and wine.

We all paint miniatures for the function and then draw numbers to receive a painting as a gift.

Gooseberries
My contribution

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

Shoe paintings

These shoes are part of a series I am working on for an exhibition at the end of the month. I don't think I will ever get tired of painting shoes. There are just to many shapes and colours to play with. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do painting them.

Red Sandals
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Red Slingbacks
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Pink Heels
Original oil on board 30x30cm

By the River

I found this as a black and white photo about a year ago. It was laying around and every time I wanted to paint it something else came up. Thursday I decided it was time to just move everyting else out of the way and paint this lovely scene. I am very pleased with the outcome. The colours and texture works well in this peacefull painting.

By the River
Original oil on board 30x30cm

Different Strokes - Bean

This is my version of this weeks photo challenge on the Different Strokes blog.

The photo is of the Cloud Gate Sculpture in Chicago, also known as "The Bean". The sculpture is made of stainless steel and reflects light and the surroundings. I think is is gorgious. Must be amazing to see how it changes with weather and day and night.

Go to www.differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com to see all the other "beans".

"The Bean"
Original oil on board 15x15cm