Friday, August 30, 2024

PROTEAS INSPIRE RESILIENCE


"Resilience".
Acrylic and mixed media on stretched canvas.
60 x 60 cm.


Proteas are strong flowers. The flower petals (and the whole plant, for that matter) are not fragile. They are robust, but beautiful. They grow on slopes where they face winds and cold, wet winters. They speak of variety, adaptability and ingenuity. They need that to survive in diverse environments and adverse weather conditions. 


We, too, need all these characteristics to survive in a world full of changes. As the saying goes:


Constant change is here to stay. 


2020  was a hard year. For us as a family, too. And it was only the introduction. My hubby's contract with a large, national company, which had been repeatedly renewed for over a decade, came to an abrupt end in December 2019. Promises of running a franchise for this company fizzled out. Despite his wealth of experience and his remarkable skills in management, negotiation, arbitration and marketing - as a white, 69-year-old male in South Africa, he became unemployable. 


He was not known for giving up, though. He hustled. He made plans. When Covid struck, art sales and the Maths extra lessons I was giving also came to an abrupt end. 


So, we made masks. Thousands. We survived well on that for two months. Then the market was saturated. 


More plans. It was grapefruit and avocado season, so we bought fruit straight from the packhouses and marketed it, any way we could. I made delicious Star Ruby Grapefruit Marmalade. The season ended. We transitioned to veggies. We survived through to the next grapefruit and avo season. I added proteas to the mix, from the large protea farm just outside Eshowe. And tomato sauce, banana chutney… whatever I could get my hands on, went into bottles. 





We had three deaths in our family in three months: In June my brother, who was the same age as my hubby, died from Covid in Namibia. His wife was alone at home for three days, as no visitors were allowed on account of Covid. Then, thankfully, her daughter arrived from the Cape. 


July 2021 came. I started an art YouTube channel. Maths lessons began trickling in again. On Monday, the 14th of July 2021, I was giving my first Zoom art Lesson. But the shooting in town, which we could hear from our homes, was ominously unnerving. The looting and rioting on account of Zuma's court case had broken out. 


It would last for days. Life as we knew it, came to a halt. Everything was poised on the knife edge of: What is going to happen? 


The looting had scarcely settled down, when the second death in our family hit: On the 21st of July, my fifty-three-year-old nephew, who had been in ICU with Covid, passed away, leaving a wife and two toddlers. My sister was heartbroken. 


Then, scarcely a week later, on the twenty ninth, we were driving back from selling fruit and veg, when, close to Eshowe, my hubby got an immense pain in the chest.

 

An ECG was done, and heart attack ruled out. A week followed of back-and-forth to the doctor. Nights of unbearable pain and later, cold fever (which turned out to be hypothermia). By the next Saturday his sons persuaded my very unwilling hubby to be admitted to the hospital. At the Emergency they put him in a wheelchair, hooked him up to oxygen, drip, etc. Halfway to the ward they told me I couldn't enter the ward because of Covid. I kissed him goodbye through the masks and were asked to see the ward sister to fill in some forms. I sobbed my way through it. Will they make sure that he is pain-free and warm, especially at night? This was the last time I saw my hubby. We had a few phone calls in between his sedation. On Monday by noon he told me he wasn't going to make it. My heart was shattered. I wanted to be with him… I told him that. I told him how much we all loved him and wanted to be with him, knowing how everybody battled to get hold of him on the phone. Still don't know if it was due to a wrong setting on his phone, or simply his sedation. 


At 4h30 that afternoon I got the dreaded phone call. When I hung up, I looked up into the mirror on the dining room dresser and shrieked out my shock and frustration. Then I started phoning everyone. It was the 9th of August. 


The next Saturday we had a family memorial service in our garden, led by his brother. I think Des would have approved very much. My last labour of love was a huge wreath of large white proteas, pincushions, and yellowwood foliage, which my close friend helped me with. I remembered all the times we drove to Zini with a bakkie-load of fresh produce, and bunches of proteas in the front with me. 


The wreath of proteas.


On the Monday I got a call from someone who wanted me to tutor their two high-school boys full-time, on their farm near Gingindlovu. I started in September. Still feeling dazed. And nervous: it was the first time working full time in sixteen years. 


It was so good for me. To be with people. On a farm. Well brought up boys with a sense of humour. It was hard work: they were doing Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology… It sure kept my mind busy. 


And I had a set income for a change. I livable income. What a reprieve! The 27km I travelled every morning and afternoon gave me lots of time to think, pray, cry. I remembered all the roads we travelled together. All the places he took me to - the bush, and many, many beaches. I would come home and sit and stare at my hubby's photo on the coffee table, next to flowers, and try to make sense of what had happened. It took time. Lots of time. Still doesn't make sense sometimes. I don't think our psyche was wired for death. It is wired for life. Eternal life. I don't think we accept death. We just re-calibrate. 




And so, three years flew past. I processed the grief. I adapted to the responsibilities of maintaining the house, the garden, my vehicle. Wasn't easy. But it gets easier. 


The one boy that I was tutoring has finished now, and the other one is nearly there. They have moved away. Life has moved on for them. The last day I drove home from school, I sobbed all the way home. I became part of their family. Another loss. Another goodbye. I'll miss them all. I'll miss the calls of the wryneck, and the cries of the fish eagle over the farm dam. 


On the farm with the boys I tutored for three years. 



A new chapter has started. Back to making art and teaching Maths extra lessons, like I used to do, when all was well. Only this time alone.

Resilience. 

I hear my hubby saying, 

“You're a strong woman.”, “You can do anything!”

Adaptability. 

I'll remember...


It's an adventure. I hear God saying, “Trust me. Look at the flowers of the field… ”. 


Ps. The boys (whom I tutored) would say (with the rough, TikTok voice), “Tough times never last, only tough people do!” :-)


Pps: I welcome comments and feedback.

What do Proteas mean to you? 


 

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

THE DRAMA OF DARK AND LIGHT


I painted this portrait from a photo that I took in very bright sunlight - hence the sharp contrasts. It is the shape of lights and shadows that defines the three-dimensional forms that we observe. 


Such is the drama of our lives: full of contrasts. We would not know the jubilant joy of delight, had we not known the despairing depths of darkness. This is how our lives are shaped. 


This is also the very first thing God created: he separated the light from the dark. As artists made in the image of God - made to create - we are also taught to render shapes by observing light and shadow - a fascinating practise! 


* * *

Do you like wildlife art? Or are you perhaps a wildlife artist? I'd love to hear from you in the comments. 😊



Wednesday, June 9, 2021

A PORTRAIT ADVENTURE

A few years ago, a client asked me to do a portrait of her grandchild. She provided the photograph and wanted a realistic rendering of it. This was fairly straight forward. I did use a grid to draw the portrait on the canvas, and I used digital overlays on the computer to check and adjust my painting to get a likeness.




Then, a few years later, a client asked me to paint a portrait of an old Zambian man that he had photographed years ago in Zambia. This man had walked about 500 km on foot to sort out family matters. This was the only photograph he had of the man. The client wanted me to give my own artistic interpretation to the portrait. Hmmm, this was an adventure waiting to happen!




I looked at some portraits done by artists I admire, for inspiration.


Very inspiring portrait of Mandela by Artist Jimmy Law


I researched some Zambian landscapes on the internet.

I was going to use it in the background.

 Then, I started with a loose painting, just to get the feel of it:


So far I was happy.

I added more detail. Freehand, just to get the main idea. 
Added some "Zambian" landscape in the background. 



Made a few changes, simplifying:



Wasn't sure where I was going with this...
So I tried to liven it up with colour, thinking of my initial inspiration...



It just wasn't gelling with me.
It needed something more. More boldness and freedom...
I added drips....



At this point I put the painting away. For a good few weeks, if I remember correctly.
Then, when I took it out again, I realised that I didn't need the background (which was a dilemma for me: What do I put in the background??) After all, the whole story was being told by this man's face! So why don't I just crop the whole painting down to his face?

So, I turned the canvas into a portrait format and proceeded to draw the face freehand with loose, bold brushstrokes. Suddenly it felt right. I could see that the features needed correction, but I had achieved the looseness and boldness I was after. Eureka!

(Photo is darker than what painting was, I think)

All I needed to do now, was to correct and adjust and add detail!
 And, voila! a finished portrait!








Monday, July 1, 2019

SKETCH, COLLAGE AND GESTURAL STROKES

This is a collage I made from photographs of a flower arrangement I made years ago. The original plan was to  make a painting based on it. Which might still happen - although in a different form!

All images Copyright E Wade


So, the other day I decided to make a pen sketch of it:

All images Copyright E Wade

Which I did while keeping hubby company in front of the TV, and which I thoroughly enjoyed.

The plan is to make copies of the sketch, which I then want to cut up and use as collage items on abstract works!

Meanwhile, I've started quite a few abstract works on paper, as well as two on canvas. I'm quite excited about what's happening on the canvases, but not quite ready to show...  



Above are some of the abstract starts I made on paper. The first stage is water soluble ink, then I added acrylic ink, gouache, acrylic, etc. 

What I'm doing at the moment may seem quite diverse, but I am actually sensing that I'm finding a direction now that I want to pursue. We'll see where that leads....  



Thursday, June 27, 2019

LIFESCAPES

The landscapes of Namibia, to me, feel like the backdrop to my life. I grew up there. Whenever I get out in nature, I still search for the wide, open spaces, where you can travel vast distance without seeing signs of development, except, of course, the road you are travelling on. It truly feels like one can breathe there.

So, I've started painting small landscapes of the beautiful country I remember...

Thorn trees: my favorite trees.

Study no 2: Watercolour on Fabriano 300gsm.
180 x 110mm


Study no 3.
Tree in open landscape. 
Watercolour, pen and ink on Fabriano 300gsm.
190 x 145mm

The next three studies I did from a photograph I took out of the car window while traveling in Namibia in 2011, the last time I was there. This is a very typical landscape between Gobabis and, Windhoek: vast thornveld with mountains in the distance. 

Study no 4: Weavers' nests. 
Watercolour, pen and ink on Fabriano 300gsm.
190 x 145mm 

I was reading the other day that an artist who teaches watercolour courses, lets her students do several repititions/versions of each scene. (And, sorry, I can't remember who it was!!! :- ( Will edit it is when I remember...  ) 
I decided to give it a try, and can already see the value of the exercise. 
One actually learns something every time! And they don't look the same! Each one becomes an individual artwork. Each time some new possibilities present themselves! 

Study no 5
Weavers' Nests. 
Watercolour, pen and ink on Fabriano 300gsm.
220 x 145mm

The next one I did in acrylic. I quite enjoyed how the colours came out.

Study no 6. Weavers' Nests. 
Acrylic, gouache, pen and ink on Fabriano 300gsm.
220 x 145mm

Study no 7 will be a small oil painting. Watch this space!

Monday, June 24, 2019

FUN WITH COLOURFUL TRAYS

Did a bit of general tidying up in my studio over the weekend, and decided to decorate two small trays which I use to organize art materials. The one came with a Christmas gift - could have had bath goodies in; can't remember. The other one is a "blank" that I bought at a hardware store.

I collaged the bottoms of the trays with collage papers I created (plus some old book pages), and then painted the rims in all the yummie, bright colors I like! What fun!


This one was a pale, insipid, mauve. 
Love how it came out; talk about "spark joy"! 



Before

After. So much better! 

A bit more colour in the studio can only get the creative juices flowing! Maybe I can paint a few more things; who knows what's next?!


Friday, June 21, 2019

CHEERFUL COLOURS

I stood in a shop by the art supplies last week, looking for a warm, yellowish red. What caught my eye, was a flourescent orange red! YUM!!  ☺ My first reaction was, 

"I'm not allowed to use that colour in serious artworks." 

What??!! Who said that???  I bought it!! 

Later that day, in a gallery, I saw abstract works by a very well-known South African artist, using...fluorescent colours!!!  Yeah!!

And today I got to try mine out!


Art Journal Entry. 21 June 2019.
Acrylic, permanent marker, pencil, collage. 

For my artwork today, I finished a commission I started last week. It's the view from a friend's back garden. Sort of. Enhanced. 

"View from a Zululand garden". Acrylic on panel. 
450 x 275mm.

I used mostly a palette knife for the painting. For the palm leaves I used a little flat nylon brush. It works very well. 


Thursday, June 20, 2019

EMBARKING ON AN ART JOURNEY

There is a belief that artists go into their studio, whip out their paints and brushes, and create a masterpiece. Every day. This is a myth. Artists' skill is developed by practice. Years and years of it. There is discipline involved. Tenacity. Perseverance.  This is not always easy. That is why I read a lot about art and art practice to stay inspired.

Recently it has eventually dawned on me that I will have to paint EVERY DAY, or as close to that as possible, if I want to achieve the goals in art that I want to achieve. I also have to experiment a lot more. So I have embarked on a journey of exploration in art.

My goals:

  • Experiment every day
  • Create a painting every day (or as close to that as I can)
Today my challenge in my art experiment was to use a colour combination that I am not fond of: light blue and brown. I chose Ceruleun Blue and Raw Umber. And, of course, black (Paynes Grey) and white (gesso).

I started by mixing some of the colours to see what new colour combinations result in. I liked the blue/brown/white combination, which yielded a warm grey. So I started with a circular application of this colour with a palette knife. Then softened the one edge with a brush and water. It developed from there. 

Art Journal Entry: 20 June 2019

Next, I thought I could try a landscape, and chose a desert scene that I'm busy sketching from. But kept the limited palette. Having used cold colours, the resulting scene, was, of course, cold! Even looks like snow, much by chance! (I'm not accustomed to seeing snowy landscapes;  I've only seen snow once near Queenstown, years ago.) 

"Is it Snow?" Acrylic on Board. 300x155mm.


Then I redid the landscape, this time adding Cad Orange and Naples Yellow to the palette, for the dunes and grasses:

"Memories of a Beautiful Desert" Acrylic on Board. 305x155mm

I grow up in Namibia and love the contrasts, colours and textures of the landscapes of Namibia. I'm quite pleased with how this one came out. 

My assessment of today's exercises:  I loved the combination of the different neutrals in the Art Journal entry. And I really enjoy the textures which result from using a palette knife.



I post my Abstract explorations on Instagram
I often auction some of my work on Facebook
Some of my previous (and larger) artwork can be seen on my website.






Tuesday, May 30, 2017

ART AUCTION in PRETORIA

I have been very busy creating new paintings, as I am participating in  an art auction to be held in Pretoria on the 10th of June, 2017. The proceeds are in aid of the NPO, A Beautiful Mind, who assist families with brain injured children. 

There will be 150+ artworks of different artists, including sculptures. The artists and their work are introduced here


It will be a silent auction. To register for the event, go here.



My artworks that will be available are:



 Title:     Nguni Drinking at the Tugela 
Medium: Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size: 1500 x 900 mm






Title: Striated Skyline 
Medium: Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas (DIPTYCH)
Size:  1220 x 760mm





Title: Ambling Down
Medium: Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size:  1010 x 510 mm




Title:  Coral Crowns
Medium: Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
Size:   760 600 mm



 
Title:  Apple Study I
Medium: Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Size:  450 x 450 mm




Title:  Apple Study II
Medium: Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Size:  450 x 450 mm




Title:  Apple Study III
Medium: Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
Size:  450 x 450 mm




  

Monday, January 2, 2017

2016 - AN OVERVIEW

Most of the Paintings I completed during 2016 were either done as commissions, or were sold. Nguni cattle dominated as subject of the larger paintings, then some seagulls, a fish eagle and an ostrich portrait. I did a few watercolours of Eshowe and its surroundings. Below is a quick overview:

Nothing like a seagull to remind one of the sea....the first gull is still available; second one is sold. 


Memories of a Lone Gull I
Acrylic on Board
295 x 295 mm
R522

Memories of a Lone Gull II
Acrylic on Board
295 x 295 mm
SOLD

A client bought a set of two fish eagles in flight, and wanted a third to complete a set of three; this was the result:

Fish Eagle at Sunrise
Oil on Stretched Canvas
230 x 330 x 35 mm
SOLD

A client asked me to paint the following large Nguni painting early in the year. She wanted Nguni cattle with nice patterns in the composition.  

Leading the Way
Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
1500 x 900 x 35mm
SOLD

The cow wading in the Tugela river had a few minor alterations, and is still available:
(Was it Picasso who said that a painting was never finished, just abandoned?)

Beside Still Waters
Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
1600 x 800 x 35mm
R8960


This was another commission, completed in June/July:

Nguni on the Road II
Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
1000 x 350 x 15mm
SOLD


For the Annual Eshowe Exhibition in September, I was only able to complete two paintings; the Nguni walking over the mountain, and the ostrich portrait. Both were sold.

Over the Mountain
Acrylic and Oil on Stretched Canvas
1200 x 500 x 35mm
SOLD


A Bird with Attitude
Acrylic on Stretched Canvas
250 x 500 x 35mm
SOLD



Some watercolour paintings completed for a client of Eshowe area included the Watsonias on Matchstick Hill, looking towards Eshowe, as well as a painting of sugarcane, with Matchstick Hill in the background (not shown here)


Wild Watsonias from Matchstick Hill
Watercolour on Paper
260 x 170 mm
SOLD

The following watercolours are also of Eshowe area, and are still available:
I find it very healing to take a drive through Dlinza Forest. Walking would be better, but isn't necessarily safe, unfortunately.

The Healing Path
Watercolour on Paper
260 x 170 mm 
R550


Another very typical scene of the sugarcane fields surrounding Eshowe:


Blue Jewel
Watercolour on Paper
405 x 90mm
R557



During the months of May to December I had very low energy levels, due to an overactive thyroid, which was only correctly diagnosed in September. :-(   After treatment in early October I started recovering and am now almost at full strength again, hoping to regain my momentum this year!


Please feel free to email me  here if you would like more information on any of the above works. I love hearing from you.

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