BEACH BLUES

Although I wouldn't admit it, and absolutely INSIST that I prefer the bush to the beach, I suspect that I have a secret love affair with the sea, that my heart hasn't informed me about.



I clearly remember a period in my life when, due to circumstances, I wasn't able to go to the beach for a few years, except for once a year for a day - and that while living only about 80 km from a decent beach, or 40km from the sea, as the crow flies. I remember shedding actual tears during this time, longing to just feel the sand between my toes, and the salty water washing around my ankles. (Body surfing would have been even better, of course! )

That situation has now changed, and one can easily become blazé, but currently I'm really looking forward to our next time at the beach.


So here it is:

Beach Blues I

Acrylic on Mountboard, 190x140mm

 

Beach Blues II

Acrylic on Mountboard, 190x140mm

Arts & Music @ Pappanui

HOSPICE (Charity Organization caring for the terminally ill) organised an Arts & Music day at Pappanui, an interior decoration shop in Mtunzini, last Sunday, 8 August.  There were about 15 art stalls and music ranged from the "Senile Sisters", the "White Zulu" and a modern day  Elvis, to a local gospel band.

The music certainly made for a very pleasant atmosphere and kept fair goers hanging around.

New artwork that I exhibited at my stall included:

 

Cheetah. Watercolour. 165x265mm.

 

Transkei - "Hurrying Home". Acrylic. 200x250mm

SOLD

Transkei - "Little Fisherman". Acrylic. 200x250mm

SOLD

And, for extra atmosphere in that beach cottage:

 

Sentiments of Sunny Seas - I

Acrylic. 200x150mm.

SOLD

Sentiments of Sunny Seas - II

Acrylic. 200x150mm.

SOLD

    

SPLASHING A WAVE

Some time ago I experimented with some pouring and splashing of paint, with a view to create interesting abstract patterns. One of the boards, however, developed (after some painting and meddling) into a more realistic rendering of a wave throwing itself onto the beach with wreckless abandon:

The WAVE

Mixed Media on Board - 1030 x 480 mm 

  

A Fresh Approach

As part of my "Fun Flower" project, the purpose of which is to loosen up, I reworked a flower still life that I did a while ago, and put down because I was not happy with the result. I now abandoned the preconceived frame of mind I had at the time and had a lot of FUN! Here it is:

Acrylic on Mountboard, 175x270mm

The digital image doesn't do justice to the bright, jewel-likeness of the colours in real life. The dark areas are also not black, but rich, dark greens and reds.

During our last visit at the beach I managed to make a small watercolour sketch of the waves. I was especially fascinated with the near-translucent jade colour of the breaking waves:

    

Watercolour on Cartridge; 130x90mm

Having loosened up a bit with the "fun" flowers, I decided to attempt another seascape. (Haven't done one for about two years.) It turned out to be one of those paintings that just about paints itself. Just flowed spontaneously.   I might do some more...  

Acrylic on Mountboard; 280x185mm

SOLD