Journal entry - Duckling

Death--- the last sleep? No the final awakening.
- Walter Scott

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


"Carolina Duckling" pencil sketch in Daily Nature Journal - Maree©

This little Carolina duckling (Wood Duck) was very weak when it hatched and it also had a cripple leg. Despite all my efforts, it didn't survive and died 3 days later. This is from a sketch I did in an old Nature Journal.

Bonsai

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a flying:
And this same flower that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying."

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


My 1982 Natal Fig Bonsai (Ficus Natalensis) watercolour in Daler-Rowney 190gsm Sketchbook - Maree©

I acquired by Natal fig bonsai in 1985 when he was 3 years old and about 6" tall - through the years he's been transplanted into various bigger containers, but this year I'll just be freshening him up and adding some new soil and do some feeding.

Now summer is here! and it's time for spring-cleaning - the garden, the house (curtains - I've only got 3!), and everything else in sight, including my Bonsai.

The Japanese word "bonsai" is translated to "tree in a bowl" and is an art form symbolising many things. To some it is considered the link between heaven and earth, to others it symbolises the balance between man and nature. Attending to Bonsai creates peace and tranquility and is a great stress reducer.

Moleskine - Road to Harties

"Creativity begins in wonder."

- Maree

Daily Moleskine sketching...


"Road to Hartebeespoort Dam" in Moleskine Watercolour Notebook
(Click on images to enlarge)


Notes for 'Road to Hartebeespoort Dam' in Moleskine Watercolour Notebook

We often take a drive out to Hartebeespoort Dam in the North-West Province (South Africa), which borders Gauteng, just under an hour's drive from us. We prefer to take the scenic route, staying away from the main roads and all the traffic, using a gravel road crossing over a mountain, reveling in all the wild life we spot on the way.

The once sleepy village of Schoemansville, which has always been one of the major tourist attractions in the area, is now buzzing with activity and new developments, but has still managed to maintain most of it's original charm. Harties is Lynda Smith's choice place of residence.

I had to scan the notebook in two sections as it is too long for the scanner when opened up.

Lighthouse Storm

The problem is never how to get new, innovative thoughts into your mind, but how to get old ones out. Every mind is a building filled with archaic furniture. Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.
Dee Hock

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


"Lighthouse - Storm" mixed media of watercolour and acrylics on Bockingford 300gsm - Maree©

Nguni Cattle 1

“It’s amazing how loose some people become in their sketchbook drawing simply because they have a carefree approach and don’t become locked down in trying to make finished works.”

- Robert Wade

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


"Nguni" watercolour in Ashrad 200gsm Sketch pad - Maree©

I am SUCH a lover of Nguni cattle - if there's a book to be found I buy it! A Black and white Nguni skin adorns my lounge floor and I avidly read any articles or history about them I can find.

Karoo Storm

stunning heat:
even the birds
are silent

A small poem from WATERMARKS

My daily sketch ...


"Karoo Storm" abstract watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm - Maree©

Off for a week (not to Venice!)

Well, I'm off to Ballito on the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal tomorrow for a week - I am taking my laptop with me, but might or might not be posting here. Am going to try and fit some painting in, but that remains to be seen, as I have a lot of catching up to do with the family.

“If you read a lot, nothing is as great as you've imagined. Venice is -- Venice is better.”
Fran Lebowitz

My daily sketch for today...


"Venice" watercolour on Bockingford - Maree©

This is actually an old painting I did in the 80's, but revamped it with some bolder colour and a couple of architectural changes.

Botanical - Butterflies, Double Feature

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you”

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


Botanical Butterflies - "Double Feature"

Psychedelic Me

No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.
Oscar Wilde

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


"Psychedelic Me" watercolour on Daler-Rowney 190gsm - Maree©

For this one I printed out a photograph of myself on Daler-Rowney 190gsm paper in very light grey-scale (all colour removed and contrast and enhancement set to very low in the picture manager) and then added some watercolour. I think I've flattered myself - doesn't show the double chin or the wrinkles...!

Moleskine Journal entry

A daily journal entry and sketch ...




.

Moleskine Journal entry and watercolour sketch - Maree©

(Click to enlarge)


.

"Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;

Today the glint of green is there;

Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;

I know nothing so wondrous fair,

No miracles so strongly rare.

I wonder what will next be there!"

- L.H. Bailey