Shade trees and a summer breeze

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it!
~Russel Baker

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W&N watercolour on DalerRowney 220gsm sketching paper - from my imagination, no preliminary sketching

As the Northern Hemisphere are shivering in their boots (lol!) we here in South Africa are experiencing extremely hot temperatures.

When it comes to summer heat, there is such a thing as having too much of a good thing. Temperatures can rise beyond comfortable levels for days, and sometimes weeks. The once glorious summer season soon becomes unbearable, making every outdoor activity a chore. Shade trees and a summer breeze become welcome treasures.

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What lies ahead?

A daily practice of sketching and painting gives you a chance to exercise the big three P's - practice, practice, practice!

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsm

As we enter this new year, there's always the thought, "What lies ahead?" Many of us may be stepping out in a new direction, starting a new job, moving house or just trying something new with our art. But that's a good thing, it's time to go, to leave this place and embrace the unknown, and step into the new year with confidence and faith.

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It's time to go, to leave this place
The unknown awaits, as it does
For a foolish few who dare.

I leave behind what I comprehend
And even with all communication
I know for now without doubt
I drift, en route a new location

But who's to say what shall pass
And what still lies ahead

Am I running from that I can not?
Unknown

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Impala in the Game Reserve

There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is.
~Isaac Bashevis Singer

A daily practice of sketching and painting gives you a chance to exercise the big three P's - practice, practice, practice!

Ink sketch with Pilot Black Fineliner and W&N colour wash in my Moleskine 200gsm (A4) 'Nature Journal'

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Another sketch of one of the Impala grazing close to the road in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. A drive through this Game Reserve reveals all sorts of treasures. We also spotted a huge Mountain tortoise in the distance behind the Impala herd and it seemed to be heading straight for the water-hole, where there was also a flock of South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana), making quite a noise over something in the water, probably a Hippo, although we didn't see it.

Summer heat

“Ah, summer - what power you have to make us suffer and like it!”
- Russell Baker

A daily practice of sketching and painting gives you a chance to exercise the big three P's - practice, practice, practice!

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsmmulti-media paper

So far we've been experiencing a very hot summer here in Tarlton (south Africa), with temperatures deep into the 30's Celsius. If I want to do any gardening, it starts at about 6am and the rest of the day I spend in my studio, in front of the aircon, painting.

Farewell to 2011 - Hello 2012!

And so I say farewell to another year
a year filled with
beauty . inspiration . happy moments . a few sad moments . gratitude . joy
wonder about this life that we're living . breathlessness . hope . dreams

I am surrendering to just being right here . and saying hello to a new year

May your year start in soft shades . appear prickly . yet be smooth . often open and unusual
and may you GROW through 2012 . become ever resourceful . remain ever reflective
continue ever reaching . stay ever amazed!

A watercolour sunflower on a textured back-ground by Kim Klassen