Two of my favourite creatures in South Africa are ostriches and meerkats. They always make my laugh.
The one thing I love about ostriches are their beautiful eyes with long eyelashes. This one whom I have name Orwell had particularly lovely coloured eyes. Strangely, I found the beak the most difficult part to paint.
This little family of Meerkats was rather on the small side. I have seen them in groups of eight or nine cuddling each other. Their social behaviour is particularly delightful. They are so loyal and caring of each other.
I do hope you enjoy these two paintings. I had such pleasure in the process of painting them. Click on the paintings for a larger picture.
TIP. I never use black in my paintings. I find that a mixture of blue, brown and a touch of red makes a lovely warm dark. To cool it down, I add a little more blue.
I am having an exhibition next year and am busy with a number of paintings. It depicts my life between South Africa and Germany. Although there will be landscapes, botanical and figurative work, one of my main themes will be endangered wildlife and other animals . Here are two paintings I have just completed.
There are many problems between farmers and wolves. These beautiful animals are returning once again to Germany and are in the main, protected. However, wolves who have to really search and fight for survival in the wild, are suddenly confronted with a herd of sheep or young cattle. It is like a buffet where they want a taste of everything. As a result this becomes a killing orgy. The farmers lose lambs and calves. The main reason for this unbalance is the amount of land that is taken from nature for agricultural purposes and over-population in this world in which we live so egotistically.
The African Wild Dog or Painted Dog as it is often referred to, is also severely endangered.
Both paintings are almost life-size.
For several years I have been going to a lovely little town called Beniginam which is about an hour's drive from Valencia.
My friends Loli and Harold run art holidays in their beautiful villa. I love it. I always have a nice big bedroom with a large shower tucked amongst the many plants and trees in the lush garden. The swimming is near my room and I enjoy the sound of the fountains at the head of the pool gently splashing on the water.
The food is not for anyone on a diet. Loli and her new chef Carlo are fantastic cooks and it seems to be a Spanish thing to feed your guests until they just cannot eat anymore. Delicious regional dishes are the order of the day.
I have enjoyed the different tutors , each with his or her own style. Although I am a very experienced artist, I am always open to learning something new. I have left with tips and colour mixes which I add to my repertoire.
This time was no exception and as the tutor was concentrating more on beginners, I toodled off a few times and did my own thing. I did however, experience for the first time using Brusho. I found the way it dissolved interesting and colourful but it is not my favourite medium - rather too messy and difficult to control. Perhaps it lends itself more to crafts and would be great for such things as mixed media journaling.
Here are a few of the sketches from my sketchbook. These were done en plein air in various locations. Hope you like them.
TIP Sit quietly for about ten minutes and really take in the scene around you. Decide what you especially like about it. Is it the light or the colour or the textures? Choose a focal point. Make everything around that point of secondary importance. Although I have a camera, a sketch is something that really makes one remember the place, the atmosphere, the smells and colours. For all those artists who might read my blog, try to do more sketching. It is such a joy. It doesn't matter if you make a mistake. Your sketchbook is your own private space if that is what you want it to be. You do not have to show it to anyone.
