The last post

Don't you think daisies are just the friendliest flowers? I caught these two smiling at a butterfly in my garden!

::

This will be the last post on this blog - but I'm not leaving! I have decided to move my art over to one of my other blogs, 'BLISSFUL THINGS', as it is getting very difficult and time-consuming keeping up with all my blogs. As I set myself the intention to slow down in 2012, to sit for a few moments longer enjoying my early morning coffee, stopping at each plant in the garden just a bit longer in stead of just rushing through, making notes of what has to be done and to listen more intently to the sound of the birds, the sound of life happening outside my studio, it seems fitting for me to combine the two blogs because, after all, my art is one of the most blissful things in my life!

I also have a Nature Journal at 'HEDGIE'S NATURE JOURNAL' and sometimes post some of my art there as well and am also a contributor at 'SKETCHING IN NATURE'. I also have a profile page at 'RedBubble' where I offer my art for sale in the form of cards, framed prints, posters, T-shirts etc. and that takes up a lot of my on-line time.

I would VERY much love it if you would visit me at BLISSFUL THINGS and I really look forward to seeing you there!

You are more than welcome to still leave comments here, I will still be receiving e-mail notifications as I am not closing the blog down, so I do look forward to hearing from you.

::

"If you don't have time to do it right,
when will you have time to do it over?
If anything is worth doing at all,
It is worth doing well."
- Unknown

::

Shade trees and a summer breeze

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

::

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.

::

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.

::

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

::

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'

::

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.