Fient Lifestyle Gallery

 

 This is an opportunity to show you the brand new Fient Lifestyle Gallery in Duncan Yard, Pretoria. The owner and curator Cecily Pohl (above) has been a friend and loyal supporter of my art and lifestyle products for years.

She started out in a small gallery (a tenth of this space!) and stuck it out through good and bad times.

When this amazing space became available right across from her old gallery she grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The gallery now showcases the work of top SA artists in art, furniture, ceramics and a range of gifts and clothing.

Every month she has a new exhibition which keeps getting more popular.

 

Well done Cecily, I am proud of you!

heART in the Piazza

 

Some photos of last weekend's heART in the Piazza. It was a great exhibition with stunning art, furniture and gifts. A big thanks to Johan Alberts and his team for pulling off such a spectacular event. Looking forward to next year.

As you can see, a lot of browsing was done :)

 



iPad covers

After a lot of requests I started making iPad covers. They are made from the same durable felt I use for al my felt products. The front part is lined with a soft matching colour felt for extra protection.



Kamersvol Geskenke - Bloemfontein 2012

 

The last few months passed in a wink of an eye. My time was totally consumed with preparations for Kamersvol Geskenke. One realy needs to understand the time it takes to do felt work to appreciate it.

Every single felt item was cut and sewn by hand, my hands :)

 

The exhibition was a big success. People came from all over to find true original, handmade designs.

Putting together my stand was quite a process but worth it in the end.

Thank you all the friendly people of the Free State, I had a great time.

Now work can begin for the next Kamers in Irene end of November.

Pinafore Tops

I started playing around with ideas of what to do with all the smaller pieces of left over fabric in my studio

The end result is a range of pinafore tops.

They are great in the winter with a long sleave t-shirt underneath and in summer they are "ready to go"

Kamersvol Geskenke

I got the very exciting news last week that I was selected to be part of Kamersvol Geskenke (Rooms full of Gifts) for 2012. For the first time the show is going to Bloemfontein (very excited about this one) as well as Lourensford in the Western Cape and Irene in Gauteng.

This is fantastic platform to showcase the best of South African desigers, and there are so many out there.

Now the hard word can begin, producing enough stock is going to be a full time work for the next few months.

Looking forward to seeing you at either Bloemfontein or Irene.

Here is short history of Kamers

How Kamers came to be

It all started 9 years ago, when close friends vacated their home and our new business moved in. We realized our dream to provide a platform where creative people come together for inspiration, encouragement and support.

Our first Kamers showcased just 40 suppliers and we had 800 excited visitors. Over the past few years, Kamers has grown from strength to strength as people have joined our dream, imparted invaluable wisdom and left indelible footprints.


8 years on with some of the Cape’s most beautiful wine farms providing the backdrop for more recent shows, Kamers continues to offer a visual and creative feast for the senses.

You will find some lovely images on their website of past markets.
http://www.kamersvol.com/

Rosemary Manor - Pretoria

Rosemary Manor is a pretty shop in the heart of Lynnwood, Pretoria.

They have a themed market every first Friday of the month from 09:00 - 17:00, as well as a mini market every Friday morning from 09:00 - 12:00.

The shop carries crafts, gifts and art from local designers.

Liesl is the lovely manager of the shop.

Come on over on a Friday with you friends for a relaxed morning in a pretty garden setting.

 Rosemary Manor is situated at 345 RosemaryStreet, Lynnwood, Pretoria.

Liesl, the proud manager

Lots of goodies

You can also find my clothes and felt gifts at Rosemary Manor

Flared pants

The newest addition to my clothing range.

I have always loved bright colours and designs. The wide leg pattern gives met the freedom to play with all that I love :)

These pants fit super comfortably with a stretchable waistband.

They are available from an outlet in Pretoria or from me directly.

Mzanzi Magazine

I recently had the privelage of having one of my Mandela collages featuring in a new magazine called www.mzanzi.nl Mzanzi. It is a publication featuring South Africa as a travel destination to readers in the Netherlands.
There are great articles about local people, atractions, places to stay and things to do.
Mzanzi is a quaterly magazine. Keep a look out for the next one.

Alumni Exhibition - Tshwane University of Technology 2012

I am so excited to be part of this exhibiton.

Since leaving the "old" Technicon Pretoria years ago (seems like forever) I have had almost no contact with ex students.

Therefore this exhibition comes as such a welcome surprise.
I am happy to showcase one of my new "vintage car" paintings and can't wait to see what the other students have been up to.

Vintage Car - mixed media paintings

Suikerbosie (Sugar Bush / Protea)
Rotsrosie (Ecevaria)

Madeliefie (Daisy)

These 3 paintings are part of a series I am working on.

It is such a joy to play with images and colour to create something joyfull.

Looking forward to starting the next one.

Order for Millys Trout Stall

This is part of a huge order being delivered to Millys Trout Stall near Dullstroom, Mpumalanga. A great place to stop on your way to the Lowveld. You can browse the gift shop, have something to eat in the restaurant and buy jummy trout to take home.

Nguni Oil Painting

First Nguni painting for 2012.

This was a commission painting for an old school friend.

She sent me an amazing photo and it was my absolute pleasure to do this painting.

I love the colours in the sky and the simple composition. Enjoy your painting Linnette :)

Dids - skirts

I have been walking around with an idea for a range of skirts, using images from my paintings as detail.
This is the prototype. I used a cotton/lycra blend fabric that wears so comfortably.

On this one I used my old lime green combi and mustard yellow trim.

Vintage Car Painting

This is the first painting 'n completed for 2012. I always test the success of a painting according to the feeling is evokes, and this one makes my heart sing. I love it :)

Studio Photos

I want to share with you the miracle transformation of an old garage turned into (my favourite place in the world) an art studio.

What started out as an old garage at the bottom of our property is now a fully functioning art studio with a small kitchen and bathroom.

What more can any artist ask for?

The sad before


The finished studio with dogs :)

Looking out from the inside

Stork Tea Mobile - Mie Arts and Crafts

Yesterday we had a stork tea at my studio for my sister Lize. Just in time to, she went into labour yesterday evening - 2 weeks early! Phew, close call..

We had such a lovely time. My studio is the ideal venue for all our family functions, it takes a bit of time clearing out all the arty bits laying around but it is a great space to entertain.

I ordered a mobile kit from my wonderfully creative friend, Wilmarie Viljoen (Mie Arts and Crafts) and everyone participated, sewing on buttons and hanging their miniature creatures on the mobile.

It was a fun, interactive morning with a lot of laughter and yummy eats.

My lovely mother and twin sisters, Lize in front, and Ilze

Before the guests arrive

Friends completing the mobile

The completed mobile. Lize absolutely adores her special gift.

Thanks Wilmarie :)

Mie Arts and Crafts Stork Tea Mobile

First oil/collage painting of 2012

After a long summer holiday I am ready to get going.

School started today in South Africa and my son had his first day in High School.

This is the planning stage of a new painting/collage. It feels awesome to start the creative process again.

My regular art class also starts tomorrow. I realy missed my students.

Kamers vol Geskenke 2011 - Irene

Kamers vol Geskenke (Rooms full of Gifts) starts next week Tuesday in Irene. This is one of the most popular designer exhibitions of the year.

You will find exquisite handmade decor and gifts. All products are also proudly South African.

I am very excited to take part this time. You can find my "dids" felt products at Eau-la-la's stand.