Africantapestry

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2011-03-01T20:08:00.001+01:00

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2007-11-30T12:45:00.002+01:00

My foodblog MYFRENCHKITCHEN

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My artblog AFRICANTAPESTRY

Sorry for the inconvenience!
Thank you
Ronell

Goodbye to the old....

2007-09-12T16:23:00.001+02:00

A while ago, I went to Sharon's blog, http://flatsoundofwoodenclogs.blogspot.com/

and saw she had a new blog. And just there I decided I wanted a new one too! A change is always as good as a holiday! And one of my biggest fears in life is that I'll stagnate or grow stale, become a dusty shelf....Therefore, change is one of the most important words in my vocabulary!

It was a bit of an uphill road getting to this new blog, but I believe it worked(will work soon). Now don't expect something exotic, it actually looks quite the same as it does now, but who knows, that might change soon too?

The new Africantapestry is not yet linked to the EDM superblog, but I hope to have that done soon.

So, I'm packing up my art stuff and moving here, where I'll unpack my bags and stay...for a while.

and with this, I say: "Goodbye to the old..."

Last greetings..

2007-09-11T22:58:00.000+02:00

This is my last post from SC. I am leaving for my home tomorrow!
These Gerbera daisies are giving me their last whisper of beauty; their heads are nodding after they cheerfully brightened up my little corner here in Oconee for the last week.
I've enjoyed my time here, but now I miss the embrace of my home! I miss the warm bodies of my cats, their calling for their food in the mornings. I miss my friends. I miss my computer and my studio. I miss the smell of my wooden floors, the squeeking of my bathroom door and I miss mywild, untamed garden. I miss the rustling noise of the birds on the cliff and the sunsets on the Loire. I miss my croissants in the morning and I miss my Peugeot.
I am ready to go home.
I will see you all at the next post from home and will then be a regular blogger again, hopefully without computer problems!

Watercolor on Fabriano HP.

A carriage

2007-09-06T20:57:00.000+02:00

I could only succeed in getting this one sketch done in Charelston when we were there a while ago. It rained from the moment we got there until we left. I couldn't even get my camera out to take a picture or two...
Done in pencil, with some lines in pen and lightly smeared over the finished sketch with water.
Fabriano HP 23 x 30.5(9" x 12")

Rooftops and a church

2007-09-06T20:52:00.000+02:00

A view over some rooftops and an episcopal church...
Both done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP and HP alternatively(23 x 30.5 cm)

Fruit and vegetable market

2007-08-30T22:06:00.001+02:00

We stopped at this frsh produce market to buy peaches for lunch...ended up buying much more than only peaches! I have a weakness for fresh produce and always end up buying more than I need!
Done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP.

This sketch was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP. I like playing around with the HP and CP papers, getting different effects every time. Alternating between the two blocks, is also easier in terms of drying.

I prefer the blocks to the moleskine. The bigger format allows me to be more spontaneous in drawing/sketching.

View on the lake

2007-08-30T20:43:00.001+02:00

This is a view from our balcony on the lake.
I am irritated with blogger for not allowing a bigger size. No plein air scene done in bigger format looks decent, because it is published into this limited size, so everything disappears into a little colored spot.
Nonetheless, this was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP.

Streetscenes

2007-08-29T22:46:00.000+02:00

Some scenes from Highlands, NC.
"The Speckled Hen". selling all kinds of garden things. Beautifully decorated on the outside with a wild garden and birdhouses.
Done in pen watercolor on Fabriano CP, 25 x 30,5cm (9 x 12")

Ristorante Paoletti, with it's cute black awnings.

Done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP, 25 x 30,5cm (9 x 12")

Lastly, The Old Edwards Inn, which opened in 1935 as the Hotel Edwards, has recently been restored after 40 million dollars and two years of work.

Done in pen and watercolor in moleskine.

A boat or two

2007-08-28T22:14:00.000+02:00

Two boat sketches, in moleskine with ink and watercolor

Enthrallments!

2007-08-20T23:47:00.000+02:00

I have to share with you all these fascinations I found here in SC.

First thing I saw was these magnificent, frightening spiderwebs in the trees. They cover whole branches, sometimes even whole small trees. I tried to do a search on the internet for the type of spider, but couldn't stand looking at all these spider photos coming up on my screen. So I still don't know....they captivate me completely, scare me and fascinate me at the same time.

I am also fascinated by the hundreds of car dealers on every which road out there, with their hundreds of cars in every color, parked in neat rows, almost measured distances next to each other, the angles perfect and decorated with colorful flags and balloons...how can you not stop and buy a car? They have turned car sales into an art! I get a kick from these scenes every time I'm on the road and find those without this flair very boring!

I also have to mention the kudzu, which took my breath away. I have had nightmares where I stand still for just a moment too long and I'm being taken over by these vigorous growers! Once again, an exhilirating sight where they form thick carpets in the valleys, growing up trees and wires and poles, everything and anything that can be a host...magnificent and scary...

There are many more of these enthrallments I find on my daily outings, but I'll leave them for next time.

All done in moleskine with pen and watercolor.

People in South Carolina

2007-08-17T15:51:00.000+02:00

Well, at last a post from me...
It was a struggle from the moment we set foot on US soil! and I'm still struggling! But that might be a story for another day. We've settled into a condo, overlooking the beautiful Keowee lakes here in Oconee county, SC. We've stepped into an incredible heat wave and I have a suspicion I am being punished for my constant complaining about the weather back home in France!

I'll start off my experiences here in Oconee, SC, with some sketches of people. Because I had no internet or a computer up to to now, and it was too difficult for me to be outside, even for sketching, I kept mostly to coffee shops, watching and sketching the people of SC.

I do enjoy watching people, making up stories about them, wondering what keeps them going, what inspires them, what depresses them, what makes them laugh, what are their sadnesses...

One day, I hope I'll have the ability to convey that hrough my paintings, not the realism of thier appearance, but the story behind their living, the emotion in their gestures.
So, meet the strangers I swiftly met in my wanderings to Paneros, Joe muggs, Barnes and Nobles, Bi-Lo, on a bench in the mall; some were empty nest-moms, serious writers, some just enjoyed reading and some did interviews, others were almost asleep and some were watching the wordl go by...

These sketches were all done in pen in moleskine, given a few washes afterwards....

and now I'm leaving you to go throw another tantrum!!...I'm completely fatigued - I've been interrupted and I've restarted this post so many times since this morning, I've lost count and now I'm completely fatigued from driving around to 5 different places to find a connection! And this is my birtday...sob, sob!!!

PS: Please forgive the many mistakes and bad writing, I have not done any editing on this entry...

All my bags'r packed, I'm ready t'go....

2007-07-29T19:23:00.000+02:00

My bags are packed...no not yet, but almost.
I'm packing all my sommer clothes and three tubes of toothpaste, because I use a particular kind. My tennis gear and all my art gear, my computer and some back up. And many shoes. Just because I love shoes.
I'm also packing Hartman, but truth be told, it's the other way around. He's tagging me along...joyfully of course!
Our daughter will babysit Tokala and Aiyani, she will water the garden, she will clean the house, cook her own food, pay the bills. She will not touch our car and she will never have parties. For the next three months.
We're exchanging our Peugeot for ..I don't know, maybe a Ford or maybe a Mustang...convertible would be nice?

I'm also packing my strong will and self discipline. I'll need it where we're going. The food is too easy available everywhere and anywhere and at all hours.

We're leaving in two days and in 10 days, I'll be up and running and computing, posting and commenting from my laptop for the next three months from "You know where". I'm VERY excited!!

See y'all in 10 days!

Both sketches done in pen and colored pencils in moleskine.

Happy birthday Casey!

2007-07-23T10:00:00.000+02:00

Today is Casey's birthday, Monday 23 July. She turned a wonderful 21 today...again..!
Happy birthday! May your year be filled with ecstatic moments!

Watermelon

2007-07-20T16:23:00.001+02:00

I bought my first watermelon of the season this morning. They've been in season for some time, but I just wasn't in the mood. Watermelon wasn't created to be eaten on cloudy days. And that is France for you this summer. A sunny day here and there. Like this morning. So I thought it is summer. And bought a watermelon.
I stared a long time at this cute little round fruit on my table. How very elegant, I thought, very chic and small enough to carry in my basket. It can even fit into my fridge. I could even have chosen a yellow one and one without seeds....a watermelon without seeds! What has civilation done to us?
Let me tell you a little about those I grew up with. I run the risk of being tagged as a tough, sturdy amazon after this, but that's OK, you might be thinking that already!
I love a huge long, oval watermelon, big and lush in its greenness. Too big for the basket or under the arm. Too big for the fridge. And too big for a dainty lady like me too carry. You need a strong quarterback. You scratch it, you knock it with that knuckle, move on to the next one, scratch it, knock it, nod your head and Mr Qurterback lifts it onto his shoulder.
This prize is taken home and wrapped in a cold, wet cloth, stored in the coolest corner of the garden, often splashed with cold water to keep it cool.
Then, there's a time and place to eat a watermelon. It is not eaten as an amuse bouche at a candle lit dinner table with a drizzle of balsamic, or cocktail picked on a pretty platter or served on a bed of mesclun with fancy feta cheese or graniteed, a la mediterannean!It is eaten on a buzzing hot, late summers afternoon, cut up by Mr Quarterback right there on the lawn, into proper oblong watermelon slices, crackling broken off so that the luscious "crown" is displayed, the creme de la creme, and a sigh escapes from all onlookers, eager awaiting their slice. You then dig into your share with bare feet and hands and gusto. Finesse and manners have no place in eating a watermelon. With your slice, you plonk down on the grass and chainsaw through it, with your knees almost draped around your ears, making room for the dripping juices and seeds. Every so often you'll shake those hands to prevent the juices from running into your armpits and you'll spit those seeds gathered in your cheeks olympic distances.
That's how a watermelon asks to be eaten. The only knife in sight will be the panga for slicing it up and a small knife for Aunt Posh, who doesn't want to dig her freshly coiffed hair into a slice.
Then of course comes the smearing and peel-attacking and seed fights and the pool and the throw-ins....
But unfortunately, I'm miles away from that kind of watermelon. So, here is mine from this morning... decently small, round and chic, calm and quiet.... and the clouds just moved in front of the sun.
Watercolor on Fabriano CP.

Chanel, and a river runs through it.

2007-07-17T16:41:00.000+02:00

While I was still acting out as Forest Gump on the run a while ago, I also made a quick stop by the perfume shop while speeding along to who knows where. That is of course the day Hartman left on his business trip. Normally it doesn't bother me and I use the time for some good old fashioned selfish indulgence into whatever takes my fancy. This time though, caught my mood off guard and drove me to extremes. I sought solace in the arms of Coco Chanel and Hermes no less. On top of my sadness and depression I had now successfully added the load of guilt. I picked up speed.

For the week I was alone, I struggled with my conscience, having spent this obscene amount on perfume and tried my best to blame it on my impulsive nature, which is true after all...still, it doesn't justify an excuse. So, being born both impulsive and ingenious, I arrived at a solution to the problem. The problem of my guilt that is.

On Hartman's arrival back in Paris, we had this glorious magical summer's day. I sent him a message telling him to be home at 18:00. We have a date. He was not to be late. Now, send a man a message like that and see what happens...?

Oh, you want to know about the date? Well, imagine this...I have a basket at the ready, filled with his favorite goodies like peaches wrapped in prosciutto, scallops with orange and a saffron mayonnaise, a cold champagne, a baguette to dip into rich seductive olive oil and fleur de sel...I have ordered and received my golden exuberant sunshine. The river Loire is 2 minutes walking from our front door, the water rushing by, heightening the sensation of summer madness, sun, and bare skin.....and me, enveloped in Coco Chanel.

I am home. I have no guilt. I love my Chanel. I have a happy husband. And through it all runs a river.

All the sketches were done where we lounged by the Loire(except for Chanel)..in watercolor, pen or pencil on Fabriano sketchpads. (I apologize for the off-perspective of Chanel..it was done in the speediest of time, I didn't check!)

A thank you...

2007-07-17T14:24:00.000+02:00

When the going gets tough, the tough runs away....or something like that. That was me the past few weeks. Not that I had such rough going and not that I'm that tough either. But that's just how it was. I ran away. Sarah(biteyourowntail mentioned the book Women who run with wolves (Clarissa Pikola Estes). I couldn't wait to dig out my copy and read it again. It is a great book. Pequete(Pequete's art journal) also advised reading Living out Loud(Ker Smith). Will have to get it, it sounds like good reading.
Luckily life stayed true to itself and my wheel started turning upwards. And luckily I have people in my life who helped push it. Some with faces I see every day, some further away and then some whose faces I have yet to see.

A thank you to Hartman who so patiently puts up with all my whims and goes even a step further...descending at 11:30 at night down to the river with a torch to find me a frog for my fountain. My frog was missing.
A thank you to those who make me laugh when I get too serious.
A thank you to everybody who left and still leave a few words of encouragement on my blog.
A thank you to those who not only leave a comment, but also take the time out of their busy summer activities and work and blogging, to send an email with some nice thoughts.
A thank you to those unknown faces who make a loyal stop at my blog regularly, to those who are new, to those who say nice words when my art sometimes just simply sucks, to those who laugh at a joke that's not really funny, to those who read my sometimes boring words, to those who care and to those who are feeling drained themselves, but still find the spirit to encourage. To those who advise books to read, fun things to do and send recipes to indulge in.
A thank you to Casey down the road in Amboise, who always cares and often stops for a coffee.
A thank you to all, whom I've come to know through your art and your words and your actions.

Time out.

2007-07-09T15:42:00.000+02:00

It has been a while now that I've been struggling to get anything on paper and I was getting just more stressed by the day. Lindsay mentioned that when she gets this slump, she does nice things, naps, fun outings.... So I decided on some time out.
I put away all art, all stress, all guilt, all expectations. I went shopping(mostly window shopping) and I fiddled in the garden. I played piano and even wrote a song. You will never hear it. I concocted new recipes and did some cooking classes. I stole some mirabelles off someone's tree and got chased by the dog with the pink bow. I moved the furniture around and changed the kitchen. I took down wall paper and started painting the living room. I played and slept with my cats. I ate too much and excercised too little. I'm blaming it on the weather. I watched Wimbledon and cried because it's over.
I baked a cake for a friend's birthday, decided at midnight I'll do another one in the morning and helped myself to many slices. I sat in the rain and ate ice cream. Now I'm taking double dose vitamin c, because my throat is on fire. I went "brocante hunting" with a friend and bought other people's junk. I sold a couch and bought a bed.
I never switched on the computer. That makes me feel bad because I didn't visit any blogs. I dropped Hartman off at the station to go the States. I was so sad so I drove to the perfume shop and bought a bottle of Coco Chanel and a bottle of Hermes, now I don't feel sad anymore...just guilty.
So I did indeed take time out.....no more stress, no more guilt, maybe more inspired...? Don't know, time will tell. In the meantime, I have a living room to finish painting, I will be back next week, catching up on everybody's work.
In fear of being completely forgotten, I thougth I'd post some of my finds at the brocante, while I'm waiting for the undercoat on the walls to dry.
An old dilapidated little car, while waiting for the brocante to open after lunch and then some old silver and pewter finds and lastly the old daybed(lit ancien as it is simply called), which is to replace the couch I sold, but only after some restoration. I just did some quick sketches in my moleskine with pencil, pen and a wash...all wonky still, which means I probably still need some time out.

If all else fails, try vegetables

2007-06-27T17:01:00.001+02:00

I've seen a few people on EDM struggling with being in a slump. I guess it is my turn. I can't seem to get a hold on inspiration.
There is a whole wide world out there to paint, to draw and I can't find anything. I have the pencil and brush in my hand, like a knife and fork, waiting for the perfect meal to come from the kitchen. Unfortunately I am the "cook" in the kitchen....so I literally took my pencil and brush to the kitchen and tried to cook up something...I painted the first things my eyes fell on. Just earlier today I bought fresh produce which were on the table and so here are my carrots and aubergines...interestingly, the striped one is called a Graffiti. I struggled through 6 sketches, going from bad to worse. So I threw away the rest and kept the first attempts.
Both these sketches were done in WC on Fabriano HP.
Click on the image to enlarge.

Touches of yellow

2007-06-20T18:39:00.001+02:00

I have nothing yellow in my garden. But I have white flowers with touches of yellow.
Two vignettes from the garden done in their setting, in bright sunlight.
A white Hemerocallis, the only one in flower.
Done in WC in moleskine. Click to enlarge.

I also have Feverfew(Chrysantemum parthenium), a small camomile-like white daisy with bright yellow centre. They make a wonderful display in the herb garden, and work wonders on a migraine, they self sow profusely and look beautiful picked by the armsful.

My goal with both these paintings was to keep them light and fresh by incorporating the white paper as part of the composition. With the feverfew, I used more "dabbing" of color, since that is how I perceive them in the garden.

Done in WC in moleskine. Click to enlarge.

Monday night's dinner

2007-06-19T15:52:00.000+02:00

Monday nights are detox nights. Actually, the whole of Monday is a detox day.. I have a bad habit of overeating on the weekends....everything I love and even sometimes don't love. What can I say, I live to eat. I live to love. I live to paint, to draw, to have fun, to be naughty, to dream, to laugh, to cry, so...I live to eat.
And on a Monday I detox. I drink water all day and for variety, I drink rooibos tea, without caffeiene and stacked with anti oxidants. I can even go without coffee on a Monday. But only on a Monday.
Here is my menu for a Monday night's dinner. OK. So it may not be completely detox, but I did say earlier I drink water all day long! We'll start off by tying our aprons and pouring a glass of Perrier. Would it be weekend, we would've had a glass of red wine, or maybe a beautifully chilled rose, seeing that we're in summer. But now we'll stick to our sparkling water.
We'll go out into the vegetable garden and pick some glorious, succulent tomatoes of all colors and sizes, leave some on the vine, rinse them uncontrollably outside and bring them inside in your favorite tomato basket, worn and stained from years' harvesting of tomatoes. On the way you'll pass by the herb corner and go wild on the basil, and don't foget to pull some spring onions . Chew some parsley for good breath and rosy cheeks, since you're not having any wine to see to that. Now into the kitchen we go. Have you remembered to pick the cherries for dessert...great for detoxing!
Now, doesn't this sound idyllic? If you don't have all these freshness in your garden, then do what I do...take your basket, and go to the market.
For the how to on this dinner, you can go to my foodblog here.
The following sketch was done in WC on Fabriano HP and then I had to "Fix" it again with pen!!

This sketch was done in WC on Fabriano HP....and no pen this time!

Unknown faces on the train

2007-06-17T15:32:00.000+02:00

Some faces on the train to Paris. All done in pen in moleskine and given a wash later at home.

Bells in watercolor

2007-06-17T15:21:00.000+02:00

A glass bell in the garden.
Watercolor on Fabriano HP extra white.

A glass bell in the kitchen.

Watercolor on Fabriano HP extra white.

Summer guests

2007-06-13T21:50:00.000+02:00

Every summer our Bed and Breakfast is fully booked. Mostly by regulars who visit year after year, finding our meals unsurpassed, our hospitality most gracious and our facilities nothing but quality; in short, five star accommodation at a reasonable price.
Mr Frog arrived later than usual this year and is still awaiting the lady of this affair to arrive. Every evening he protests his discontentment at her not being here yet, in his distinguished baritone voice. I hope she arrives soon, I don't like seeing my guests unhappy.

Once again we had the honor of assisting in the arrival of Mr and Mr Swallow's young ones. What a lovely couple they are, so caring and loving and protective of the live they have created. the happy event happened only 5 days ago and it was a grand event here. We opened up a bottle of bubbly and all the guests attended to celebrate the wonder of new life and admire the 5 adorable infants.

Miss White butterfly brought many more of her friends along this year and I really had to be inventive to accommodate all these teenagers. But I love every minute of their delightful company! We have come into the habit of sharing an hour or so together every afternoon, where I learn from them all about being a delicate and beautiful and delightful adolescent again. Along with the ever roaming dark and handsome bees, they enjoy energetic parties until late night, Fortunately the neighbors haven't complained yet. I suspect they know and understand all about the habits of these young people...

We are also very honored to accommodate very well-known international models in our B&B every year, miss Dragonfly and company. They keep mostly to themselves, are very discreet and love their privacy. But when the moment shows itself, I'll stare at them shamelessly, wishing I had their elegance and beauty. Soon they will all be moving on to make room for the next half of the summer guests, leaving me just enough time to tidy up, restock the pantry and put out fresh flowers. The arrival of our summer guests, is a highlight in the season, something we look forward to year after year.
All these sketches were done in pen and WC in moleskine.

Urns and tennis

2007-06-09T17:17:00.001+02:00

I have a passion for urns...Medici, cast iron, soapstone, old stone...I love their shape and touch and smell, their poise and nobility. While I watched the tennis today, my hands looked for something to do. Since I've been longing to do a few urns for some time now, I thought I should start right away with the first one, an old French cast iron urn. The first painting is oil on linen which I did a few years ago. It is close to my heart.

This next one is one of three watercolors I did while watching the ladies final at Roland Garos this afternoon. I wanted to go for the same composition as the oil just for comparison.

This was the last of my attempts and probably the one closest to what I intended. Maybe because by this time the tennis result was a clear cut thing, no doubt who the winner would be, so my attention was mostly on the paper.The shape is awkward though, but that doesn't bother me too much. I'm never too fixed on realism. My watercolors are a bit sloppy lately, but my goal is to bring more expressionism into them, to accentuate color more and the big one ...to fiddle less!!

This sketch comes in second. I'm not happy with it, although there is something that makes me look at it again. It is very wild and uncontrolled, dark a with lot of confusing leaves....that actually sounds very much like my mind.... or it could be the tennis. By this stage in the match, it was a very one-sided game.

And finally, my first attempt right at the beginning of the match, when I still thought it was going to be a tough battle and my attention was eagerly turned more to the game. There is really no interest in this one, very flat and floating with no excitement. After these attempts I had enough of this urn, however much I love it. I'll try some others for next time.

From shade to shade in summer

2007-06-07T16:42:00.000+02:00

In summer we travel from shade to shade.

Early mornings, cup of coffee in hand, are spent on the terrace, sitting on a rock at the entrance to one of our caves and contemplating. The shade of the huge cliff at your back is a welcome relief after a hot night's suffering. These stairs, leading up to the terrace, were done in pen and watercolor, on Fabriano WC paperHP(extra white). click to enlarge.

After all that meditating and musing, while watching the sun brightening the skies, it is time to move out of the shade and into the working shoes, which are ready on the go at the kitchen door. These are actually the working boots of Hartman, mine wasn't to be found, but they aren't as characterful as his anyway. But, pretending they are mine, they will prune and dig and weed and water, while the sun still has a gentle caress. This was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP paper. click to enlarge

All the prunings and snippings of early morning will go into some vase somewhere in the house as well as an empty container in the garden in a shady spot, like the mint in this old kettle on a crooked, rusty chair. This corner was sketched in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP(extra white) click to enlarge.

Finally the day will end in the welcoming shade of our summer kitchen right at the back of the garden, where we enjoy the most wonderful alfresco meals, prepared by Hartman. (The door right at the back goes into a cave, which accounts for the wonderful coolness in summer)This is his kingdom, where he cooks and fries and experiments and flips and flops, with me in the role of sous-chef and lighting candles and lanterns, picking herbs, fiddling here and meddling there. We play guitar and sing and eat and while away the beautiful summer evenings, ending it all with some more contemplating and musing. Tomorrow we'll start the day again, moving from shade tot shade. This was done in watercolor on Fabriano HP. Click to enlarge.

Freedom in a coin

2007-05-31T19:37:00.000+02:00

Pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP extra white A handful of old coins, dating from the 1930's and on.
Although not much worth today, they are rich in history and we can only guess their stories.
I thought it good to buy back my spontaneity with these coins. Lately I could feel myself working very tight, very meticulous and aiming to "do it right". So when I threw these coins on the table, I bought back my freedom. There are many irregularites in this painting..a too dark inside of the silver canister, funky pieces, the colors are wild and it may look more like candy than money, but take my word for it...coins they are. Rusted within a broad spectrum of colors, I could do nothing less than paint a caleidoscope, for therein lies my freedom.

Two cars

2007-05-30T17:24:00.000+02:00

Two cars...Only for the show.
They serve their purpose well in adding a quirky touch to a corner in the house somewhere...on a pile of antique books, under a cloche, on a dinner table, on a stack of DVD's..I bought the chevy( right?)when we lived in South Carolina, at a stop next to the highway.
The "coccinelle" is a lovely reminder of my own I once dashed around in.
Watercolor and ink on Arches HP paper.

Inspirations in color

2007-05-23T17:08:00.000+02:00

I am in search of Inspiration. I find it in people. That does it for me. Creative people, people with strong character, the survivors, the gentle, caring ones, the courageous, daring ones...I have them all in my small circle of friends.
Voici two of them. Two wonderful inspirations. Very far away, so I had to rely on photo's. I don't mind that much.
I chose to do the following sketch, because I love the way this friend interacts. She is a beautiful woman, an extraordinary talented florist; you can give her a dry stick and she'll turn it into a magical creation. And she can't talk without her hands. I love that. When I dropped by her floral shop, she was busy with a romantic bouquet for Valentine's day and we stood for about 30 minutes chatting, while she held this wonderful creation in the one hand and expressed herself with the other. She wears this delightful "apron" when she works, to protect her clothes. Being around her, is feeling the creative juices flow...it is inspiring.

This was supposed to be only watercolor on HP Arches paper. Then I had to "fix" it by adding pen! It seems I have to fix everything lately.

This friend is a lovely romantic, in heart and soul and in appearance. She carries a bit of yesteryear with her. With her angelic hair and fair skin and soft features, she posed many problems to paint. This is my fourth go at her and it still not what I'm after and this time pen wont' fix it. I want nothing less than a soft, flowy watercolor painting. I'll probably try again and again...Maybe its because I know that she isn't ALL romantic - she can swim faster than anyone I know, she can climb a rock as fast as the young guys, she can paddle a kayak through some scary rapids and she's not afraid of any marathon! She exudes a wonderful zest for life, nothing is too hard or too boring for her, she does everything that comes her way...it's contagious. This is watercolor on Fabriano CP (extra white)

A necklace and a statue

2007-05-21T16:44:00.000+02:00

A painting of a piece of jewelry as suggested by MArta.

Done in watercolor on white Fabriano CP.
30.5 cm x 45.5 cm

Bon voyage to Casey.

2007-05-18T15:48:00.000+02:00

Bon voyage to Casey.! May she have fun in Hong Kong, may they be kept safe and may she come back with great sketches!

Some odd sketches

2007-05-17T16:44:00.000+02:00

Today is an odd day. The weather is odd. I feel odd. I had two odd migraine attacks in a week, normally I'll have two in a year. In an odd way I don't feel like doing any art. So I just chose some odd subjects. I did these all in my moleskine, which felt odd after a long time of not using it. And I used odd colors. Ultramarine blue, burnt sienna, raw umber and payne's grey. For no specific reason, my eyes just fell on them. In order to do some of these subjects, I had to twist my body oddly to see them, since I refused to get out of my "comfort zone"...

Ten to twelve...it's an odd clock, it can't be trusted.

An old pitcher with an old, hand crocheted "doily" from my mom's kitchen, frequently used to keep out the odd insect.

An old candy bowl, now used to hold old porcelain pieces I pick up everywhere. Many of them were dug up when we established our garden. It's a habit I learnt from a good friend in SA many years ago and we both still do. I miss her on this odd day. There is always a piece of old porcelain lying around on the ground, telling a story of times long past.

Ostrich eggs, straight from the farm. Odd bird, the ostrich; quick and vicious despite its calm looks.

Just a lamp, nothing odd about it.

Please look out for Madeleine

2007-05-15T19:14:00.000+02:00

Madeleine has been abducted on 3 May.
Please look out for her and contact your nearest police if you have any information.
You can read more about it here

Tagging or rather ...monkey puzzle

2007-05-14T21:35:00.000+02:00

I'm not sure if this word..monkey-puzzle exists everywhere. I can't find an explanation for monkey puzzle in any of my 5 dictionaries, apart from the monkey puzzle tree, which is actually explanatory enough: "A coniferous evergreen tree, native to Chile, having intricately ramifying branches covered with overlapping, leathery, lanceolate, prickle-tipped leaves".

Etymology: Perhaps from the obstacle its intertwined branches would pose.

So, somewhere, someone brought this concept to schools and colleges and exams and career tests and personality tests and then it ended right up here on EDM in tagging.

Before you continue reading, take a look at these friends, who have scored high on their monkey-puzzles...Mary(emma pod), KsKlein, Robyn, Carole, Jan. You all know them well actually, or so you think...

I have never been good at monkey puzzle, not at school, not at university and definitely not in any personality test. Maybe because I'm bad at making choices, or maybe because of my fear of making a bad decision, or might it be that I'm too afraid of missing out on something if I choose one thing. Most likely it is because I feel that if I can only be allowed to justify my answer, I might score just half a point.Of course that's not how a monkey-puzzle works! You choose A or B and that's your one shot at a point.

This might explain why I loved history and biology and physiology and every other area in life where I was allowed(and not) the freedom to write and draw my mind. That way I could justify my answer with unending mind blabbering, which I did so convincingly(sometimes) that I did indeed score my half a point. By hindsight I suspect I got the point only because my writing was too tiresome to read and for the slight chance that there might be a point's worth of correct information somewhere. Or simply for pushing my luck.

I could also be very descriptive, up to the point of utter confusion, which of course, all worked in my favor. I sincerely hope it is the case here.

Well, that half a point got me everywhere in life. It taught me to never give up, even when you think it is impossible, there always lurks a lucky shot.

It taught me that reasoning is a good way of communicating. It taught me that listening is an even better way. It taught me never to become a politician. And never to marry one. It taught me to know when to stop. Which is right about now.

Now I have to tag seven people. A choice I can't make without starting justifying again. You don't want that and I don't want to choose between friends. But I do want to get to know a little something about everybody. With that I have just finished up with my seventh and final answer.

So, would it be OK, dear Reader, to ask you to post a picture, a drawing, a sketch, a photo....of a small corner of where you do your art, write your journal, think your thoughts...a tiny glimpse of your own space. And only if you want to. After all, this is a monkey-puzzle....you always have a choice.

PS: Just a quick explanation of monkey puzzle...a multiple choice exam paper, where you simply encircle A, B, C, or D as the correct answer to the corresponding question. I grew up knowing it as monkey-puzzle.

Barefoot and happy.

2007-05-12T16:12:00.000+02:00

A handful of years ago, we packed our two small girls and with a suitcase and a chair or two we headed for the unknown. In this case it happened to be Suffolk, England. We arrived in February, stayed in the Orwell hotel in Felixstowe for some weeks while in search for a haven to unpack our lives.

Two days ago Hartman called me from Felixstowe, where he was working for three days. While he was walking by the sea, eating fish and chips, visiting all the places we lived, buying Fox's crunch creams, we remembered. We remembered how young our girls were. We remembered how cold it was, how wet, how grey, how exciting, how awful, how lonely. This led to many memories old and dear. It took me far back to our homeland, before we packed up, to days of golden sun, warm cuddling friendships, lazy beach days, back breaking work sessions, hat wearing sports events... all of which happened barefoot.

We learnt in England to wear shoes, after the girls have been frowned upon for running at school events barefoot, for running barefoot through the lobby of the hotel to quickly pick up Dad from work(truth be told, it was February...), I have learnt to keep shoes close by for when the doorbell rang and I learnt not to kick out my shoes when arriving at a friends house.

It has been a long time since I've had to remove some thorns from my feet. It's been a long time since I've felt mud squishing up between my toes, or heated up my feet in a warm puddle of cow dung,....disgusting maybe, but those who grew up on a farm, will know what I'm talking about. They're quite beautiful now, my feet, very soft and supple, lovely pedicured and all, which is something to be grateful for I suppose. But when the chance for being barefoot shows up at our door, we still happily kick off those shoes and dash across the lobby.

In the light of my melancholy, I did 3 quick sketches with some pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP paper....and even trampled some mud...

I give you...Christeen.

2007-05-06T15:30:00.000+02:00

A fun exchange in emails between Christeen and me a while ago, turned into work in the end! Not that this wasn't fun. Too much, I would say...I actually attempted three paintings! But it sure was difficult...I was very worried about not doing justice to her beauty and wonderful character. She assured me though it is about the process, and not the end result(for this time, I'll believe it, although I would normally believe that the result does carry quite a bit of weight too!)
She also sent me a picture of her and her brother at four years, which I'll attempt a bit later. By her own words, she now once again has the playfulness, enthusiasm and humor she had when she was four and that was what I tried to capture. I can see it so obviously in her face, but capturing it, is another thing. She has these amazingly long eyelashes behind which she carries the sparkles of mischief, a mouth full and round with humor, and hair, wild like a free roaming lioness. See Christeen's excellent take on this!!.... as well as the original image here
So, here I give you Christeen.....in graphite on paper; then watercolor on Arches and last, oil on linen. Click on the images to enlarge.

Something to be said for tradition..

2007-05-02T18:00:00.000+02:00

There is something to be said for tradition. Even though we live in a very modern high tech twenty first century. We can never be without tradition. In general life, in family life, in business, in sports. My greatest pleasure comes from the old traditions in tennis.
When we lived in Stellenbosch South Africa, I enjoyed all the wonderful tennis traditions we had there; Saturdays' social games, rooibos tea for the thirst, tennis evenings until midnight with families and barbecues afterwards, league matches in Wellington where the heat drives everybody under the sprinklers on the grass before the third and final set is taken on.
In England we got hooked on the lawn tennis and of course all the wonderful British traditions...yeah, yeah, maybe a bit stiff on tv, but when you're part of it...complete different ballgame! We religiously wore our white attire on the courts and became proud of it...the carefully attended, lovely lawn courts just asked for nothing less than pure white. Happy chaps they are, the Brits on the courts...full of fun, very courteous and full of love for the game of tennis. We grew to love the cucumber sandwiches after an afternoon of tennis, some more tea, not forgetting the beer, beautiful clubhouses....a wonderful picture of tradition that deserves nothing but respect and admiration. It is a wonderful thing...playing on grass. And I should mention...I have had my most attractive coach there in England, can't really say whether that forms part of the tradition, but nonetheless, he did wonders for our tennis.
In South Carolina we had a ball! Now.... I have to be careful, since so many reading here, will be from the dear old USA? We loved it. Nothing less than perfect tennis courts, perfect clubhouses, everything you need at close hand, the latest fashions in gear widely available(I always looked stunning on the courts, so much so that my game started deteriorating...), drinks and eats to hearts desire, a very relaxed atmosphere(the game of tennis can stir up emotions from time to time, depending on how far you trail behind) and a great coach always close at hand to help with that crappy backhand.
In France we have the wonderful clay courts, which is my first choice of surface, followed by grass. Probably because it is so much gentler on all these joints. And I do enjoy the tradition that comes along with playing on a clay court. Some might find it tedious, I love it. We only play on the clay courts in summer, after they have been prepared. And this is what my sketches are all about; the sweeping of the courts, clearing the lines, sprinkling the clay and you have this beautifully prepared court ready for the next game. There is something very sporty, very adrenalin like, very professional like about sliding on the clay, giving the line a sweep with your foot just before you serve, cleaning your soles against the racket, dusting some red clay from your clothes, oh, and a big one...checking the lines for the mark! OK, it is all for the show, but it is still part of tradition and there will always be something to be said for it.
Watercolor and pen on fabriano HP.

A handful of happiness...

2007-05-01T11:09:00.000+02:00

"Je porte bonheur".. .says this little bunch of muguets(lily of the valley). A beautiful custom in France is to give a small bouquet of these to anyone and everyone you want to, on the 1st of May, that way, wishing good luck and happiness to all. Of course it is also a public holiday..worker's day I think in English. Since I love the idea, I'm offering this bouquet of muguets to all EDM- friends - to those with special projects for May, like a drawing a day, to those who have a work on exhibit, to those who wish to exhibit, to those whom we're voting for everyday, to those who are wonderful professional artists, to those who are doing art for the fun and joy it brings them, to those who started up this great site, to those who keep it up faithfully and in great spirit week after week, to those who add fun and joy , originality, spirit and character to this art site....to all who participate and bring beauty to look at, inspiring words to read, jokes to laugh at, advice to grow....to all at EDM; wishes of happiness to you all in this beautiful month of May!

A french guesthouse

2007-04-30T18:44:00.000+02:00

I'm doing some paintings for a lovely Irish lady with a lovely Irish accent! She has a beautiful guesthouse in the countryside, not far from here. These paintings were done in the beginning of spring, so I'll have to redo them when her roses are all in full bloom. I'd like to do another painting of the house too, since I think I've done this one a bit gray? The house dates from the seventeenth century with lovely little turrets which were used by monks. For more information on the guesthouse http://frenchguesthouse.com/ click on the images to enlarge. Both were done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP paper. 30.5 x 45.5 cm.

Bottles big and small

2007-04-26T18:29:00.000+02:00

My painting of the week...bottles. Some of the old bottles I buy at "brocantes". I set up the still life, then Tokala knocked over the small bottle with the twig, so I left it just like that.
This was hard...these bottles with all their transparencies drove me to coffee...after which my body pumped so much caffeiene, I even did an oil. See also Casey's still life with bottles http://fr.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Agz0ThsyaL8P0qvejInpNJXD9QY-?cq=1&p=888
Pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP.
30.5 x 45.5 cm

Oil on canvas

22 x 27cm.

Watering cans and dainty shoes

2007-04-24T19:06:00.000+02:00

In art class this afternoon, Casey set up a still life outside...after we enjoyed a delicious lunch of Courgette soup with sesame seeds, followed by a wonderful tomato, coriander and pine nut quiche and ended with strawberries and blood orange dessert and madeleines...I hope you are all drooling now..

It was tough getting into drawing afterwards, but we did the best we could. We had a friend there whose shoes we all admired, so she unceremoniously stacked her shoes as part of the still life....

I wanted to try a different medium today. The first one is done in a walnut stain wash and then finished off with pen and conte in different colors on Arches HP. Although not the right medium for those dainty shoes, I did it nonetheless, since I haven't worked with it before. I do like the medium and will definitely experiment more.
I thought I owed it to those shoes to make them look kind of pretty, so the second is done in pen and watercolor on Arches HP. The composition is a bit off in both cases, among other things, but let's say I felt like watching the world go by rather than joining it. (See what Judi says about this "watching the world buzz by"... http://everythingiscontextual.blogspot.com/2007/04/work-is-for-birds.html

All kinds of hope in a shopping cart.

2007-04-23T15:31:00.000+02:00

Every time I fill a shopping cart, I have good hopes....

At the food store, where all good intentions fly at first entry, I always hope that the food in it will last longer than the previous time, so I won't have to go soon again!
The season also has its influence. In winter I hope that what's in this cart will make the blues go away. In summer I have good hopes that my cart will help me fit into that skirt I bought 10 years ago.
Then there is the constant hope that I haven't forgotten anything....

Going to the hardware store produces hope of another kind. Whatever I put in the cart, always raises the hope that maybe there is an angel looking down on me and this load who will volunteer to do the work..the bigger the cart, the bigger the hope...

The garden center has all the bright hopes of the good and beautiful in life...hope that these little plants will brighten up that dark corner, hopes of abundant flowerings in spring, hopes of bigger fruit next year, hopes that summer will last forever...

Lets not forget the hope which this sketch is all about...an adorable bearer of our hopes in a cart....well, that is simply necessary practicality! Pen and wash in moleskine (and photo)

Ice cream versus salad

2007-04-22T20:17:00.000+02:00

How I love painting. And tennis. And I do love my garden, my house. Shopping. What else. Oh yes, and I love eating! Good food, healthy food, bad food, ordinary food, new food, traditional food, adventurous food...all food.

I am sitting here right now, licking a huge Magnum ice cream. A double caramel! Sweet and nerve rackingly rich, deliciously creamy, luscious, sticky, voluptuous and sensual...and far too small. While I am indulging in my ice cream I have a healthy menu for you, a great one for a long, lingering lunch on a hot summers afternoon around a huge table with great friends!

To start off: make a tomato mozzarella salad, using nice small vine tomatoes, some buffalo mozzarella torn into bite size pieces... stuff some in your mouth while you're at it. Tear some basil leaves and lastly, sprinkle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and mill some fresh pepper and then add a sprinkling of finely chopped sun dried tomatoes.To finish off, mix gently with your hands and then lick off those fingers, serve on a pretty plate and enjoy with crusty bread.
For the main meal you dig your beautiful platter out of the back of the cupboard, give it a rinse and then fill it with...crispy green leaves of your choice, mesclun, spinach, rocket and other herbs and don't forget some crunchy red cabbage sliced finely for great color and crunch....

In the middle you stack some cooked quinoa, first sauteed in coconut oil with some red onions and then cooked until just done.

On top of that, beet cut into chunks, hand fulls of organic grated carrot and around the rim, little bundles of steamed asparagus wrapped in prosciutto or parma ham. And finish off with a little sweetness; a handful of golden raisins and pumpkin seeds and a Calamata olive or two. I like some green peppercorns sprinkled too. Finish off with a vinaigrette of your choice, some more crusty bread, a bottle of good Rose and you're off to hear all the Oohs and Aahs from your hungry, anticipating guests waiting at the table! And do enter with flare...why else have you gone to so much trouble! Dessert. No can't do without dessert. To keep to the theme of health, you take lots and lots of strawberries...do the usual, and cut them roughly into chunks. Using a large fork, you crush them until pulpy but not to a puree. Then you add a large handful of chopped mint, which you ventured into your garden for early morning, with your hat and herbs scissors and gloves...and of course you pulled out some weeds while you were there. OK, the mint..you add this generous handful of mint to your strawberries and follow up with some balsamic vinegar and if you like your strawberries a bit sweeter, add some honey. Just before you put this beautiful dessert in the fridge, take a big spoonful to taste...you should be able to just sigh with pleasure, if not, then start over. Serve it in some beautiful glasses where its beauty can be seen. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, drizzle with some honey, a swirl of syrupy reduced balsamic vinegar, a dash of milled black pepper and of course, a small mint leaf...and please, don't plant a tree!

So, off I go to fetch another Magnum...enjoy your lunch!

Pen and Watercolor on Arches paper HP 23 x 31cm (9 x 12")

The details of a Wisteria

2007-04-22T13:19:00.000+02:00

The wisterias are magnificent now, their beauty cascading over walls and pergolas and trees and gates, windows and towers, roofs and even pathways. I just had to take on a painting or two, try and capture a little of their glory.

I tried twice again, not being too happy with the first try. I took on another corner, more "architectural", more detailed, brighter colors, with which I am quite content..it feels like "me".

And I just can't get away from it- detail- I need detail. Without it, I can't stress. I can't be obsessive compulsive. Without detail in my life, I can't experience beauty. I can't create beauty. Without detail, life is very foggy and leaves only an impression of what might be out there...very much like the first painting of these wisterias.

Watercolor and ink on Arches HP
23 x 31cm (9" x 12")

Three apples and the rest.

2007-04-21T17:52:00.000+02:00

Voila my painting of the week - a bowl with fruit.

It took 3 apples to get to the "right" half eaten one.
The first one was so crunchy and sweet and just too delicious, I ate the whole thing. That made me full. I then asked Hartman to eat the second one with specific orders...he just gave 3 huge gulps and only the stem was left...a little bit of deliberation there. There was only one left, so I had to eat the third apple carefully, measuring it against the other three after each bite. And then we went to play tennis. When I got back, the apple turned all brown. I had no apples left. So I played guessing game on the color.

The bowl is made by the artist Carrol Boyes from SA. Using pewter and other materials she makes beautiful bowls and cutlery and office stuff and...and.... to see
her work, which can also be ordered online - www.carrolboyes.com

I love expressionism. I find I can achieve that in oil, a little more challenging in watercolor though. I have a fear of losing the transparency of watercolor....but I think this one isn't that far off?
Click on the image to enlarge.

Three times different

2007-04-18T21:22:00.000+02:00

These are the results of my drawing afternoon with Casey yesterday. I tried something different to get out of my rut and ran into all kinds of trouble. Not that I can define "something different"...

The first one is just plain ugly and I've deleted it a few times from the blog, but decided finally to keep it. I wanted so many things fitted in and I chose the smallest format. I didn't even complete it, just grabbed a brush pen and filled in some rough lines. Don't click to enlarge, not worth it.

After Casey had left, I gave it another try, obstinate to get this scene in my pocket! I don't feel much for this sketch...proportions are completely wrong, some ugly darks, even more cramped, in spite of a bigger format. Overall just a bad, disturbing painting that makes me want to come up for air.

The third one I did this afternoon and decided it would be now or never. The plants need to get into the ground. I was still obstinate, so I kept to the same scene. I used an even larger format and this time I did use all the space. There is still too much detail and finicky pieces and not enough depth, but this it! I still can't say what it is I wanted to do differently. I at least hope this last one broke my spell. This looks better enlarged. Watercolor on Fabriano HP. See Casey's painting from yesterday, she also tried something different...take a look http://caseytoussaint.wordpress.com/

Carole said: "Come on, just do it!"

2007-04-16T20:04:00.000+02:00

Five things from my bathroom. Carole said so. (http://www.carolekirk.com/ I could only get to four. I struggled almost the whole day, but I've done it and I feel good. Great they are not, but I'm happy. Wonderful feeling of achievement! It was so great having someone tell me: "This is what you need to do, do it" Not thinking or planning or finding something...I just did it. Next time it will be better. Thank you, Carole.

I dedicate this to all of you who were encouraging and supportive, may I do the same to you when you need it.

Pen and watercolor, Arches HP. Click on images to enlarge.

Because I have no inspiration!

2007-04-15T17:09:00.000+02:00

I am in no mood for drawing or painting....can't find any inspiration! My pencil goes its own way, the brush refuses to cooperate, the ink won't flow from the pen and no subject steps forward with enthusiasm. How did I arrive here? No idea. But I believe I'm not alone in experiencing these dry spells and from past experience, I've learnt not to push it(not TOO hard, that is), not too stress(well, THAT is so easy!) not to give up(will NEVER do that?) and not to feel inadequate(complete silence..).

Since I couldn't produce anything for the last few days, I went back to some previous sketches and chose to post these, just for the sake of making myself feel a bit better.

When we were in SA on holiday, we visited my husband's brother, who just bought a huge property out in the country, beautiful, but with lots of work to restore it to its former beauty. There is an old tennis court, overrun by weeds and what not.
We are a family of tennis players and to see a tennis court, however overgrown by forestry, is to tease a lion with a lamb. My husband grabbed a shovel and started clearing the court for some great tennis! I grabbed my paper and pen to help. Soon, Dora and Solly, who are in charge of all the work in and around the house, closed in, each grabbing a tool and long before sundown, the first ball was hit...I won the point(hie hie..) barefoot no less, since I had only sandals for my sunny holiday in SA! We played tennis non-stop, for the next three days, barefoot, like when we were kids, except our feet weren't those of kids anymore...

Please be forgiving when you look at these sketches - I was sitting in direct sun with a 40 degrees C heat coming down on my head and they were moving with the speed of lightning; my husband in eagerness to hit that first ball and Dora and Solomon anxious to get out of the heat, and lastly I am not that apt at sketching people.

Pen, watercolor and moleskine.

Ugly, but couldn't do without...

2007-04-12T17:24:00.000+02:00

I have found "ugly" to be an emotional concept, at least for me...
When you know the story behind it, "ugly!", turns into "oohh how sweet!"
On a bad mood day, I see more ugly people than usual; my car is ugly, which is usually not a problem, since I couldn't care less about a beautiful car; the dry winter scenes, which are normally architectural masterpieces, are just plain ugly and my bedroom mirror, which is most days a sweet and kind soul, shows its mean side.

Today isn't a bad day, so I couldn't find anything ugly around me. Even the dishwasher and washing machine, fridge...all those machine-things have their beauty today, maybe because they still do their job so dutifully?

I decided that garbage bins are my love-hate passion in life. Every day. They are not emotion-related. They are a cruel reality of life on earth. I hate every form of waste... energy, time, food, water, garbage...A Garbage bin to me, signifies the ugly side of life. But I couldn't do without it. In shame I hang my head and I embrace my bins, glad I only have to fill them and someone else, more courageous then me, will take care of the problem elsewhere! So, here I give you the ugly side of my life and unfortunately, yours as well....

I wanted to depict these bins as ugly, so I gave only 5 minutes to myself to do each, wash included and I kept to it. I used Pentel brush pen and watercolor pencils; black....and red and green for a touch of beauty, since this isn't a bad mood day....

The green corners of an April garden

2007-04-10T18:29:00.000+02:00

April is gardening month. From middle March to middle April I have no nails, no soft hands, a broken back, tennis elbows in both arms, arthritis in my thumbs, I shuffle like an old woman and I smell of compost. All because of the love for a garden.

I have only white and blue/purple in my garden and of course green.Then I have one stubborn red tulip. For three years I've had that tulip showing up every April. For three years I've cut it off as soon as it flowered, put the flower in a vase, dug up the bulb and gave it to a friend. Just to repeat the process the following year. I've accepted the red tulip in my garden now. It is in a vase in my bedroom, I've dug up the bulb to give to a friend and I'll wait for it next year.

I struggled with these sketches. I can't get all these nuances of green down in a flattering manner. It all looks messy. Maybe it is too much green on one go...I do actually feel a little sick. SoI'll take my leave now.

Pen and watercolor on Arches hp.

The elegant fences of the countryside

2007-04-06T17:45:00.000+02:00

The countryside provides a wealth of "elegant" fences...
I took Robyn(http://havedogswilltravel.blogspot.com/ ), up on her suggestion a previous time, and did these sketches on site with a water soluble pen and 2 waterbrushes and my moleskin, along with nerves of steel(for standing right on the edge of the narrow French countryroads) and a pretence(so I would at least give the impression that I know what I'm doing) and chewing gum - that is for the nerves and the pretence...

Out with the stale, in with the fresh on a Friday

2007-04-04T18:32:00.000+02:00

Every Friday is a day of freshness and I have only three important goals for this day.

The beds get a fresh set of sheets. I love linen, white linen. The fresh bedroom is finished off with a pillow spray of rosewater or a sprig of herbs, tucked in between the pillows, for a fresh smell, something like mint or lemon verbena. What can I say, I'm a romantic.

Fresh flowers is a must on a Friday. A vase with a bouquet, old bottles with blooms, a bowl with petals, an old teapot with a bunch...an empty container and a fresh flower.

Last on a Friday is a fresh salad for dinner. Only that and maybe a fresh crusty bread. That is to make room for the rest of the weekend. A huge, scrumptious salad with all the fresh goodness found at the market, good for the body and good for the guilty conscience. Then I may have my chocolate on Saturday and my cake on Sunday.

In a perfect world, I would simply have to snap my finger and...

2007-04-02T16:54:00.000+02:00

.... strawberries would always be in season... ....chocolates would never make you fat...

....aspararagus would be available all year round....

.... onions wouldn't give you a smelly breath... ....coffee would be considered a health food...

....my purse would always have money in it...

....my house could self-clean by the push of a button...

....I would have a chauffeur to drive me where I want....

....I would never again have to fly economy class...

In a perfect world, I suppose I would never have to snap my finger...

Figure drawings

2007-03-31T18:48:00.000+02:00

The model we had last week was, once again, beautiful, almost too beautiful. She was so slender and slim and her head seemed too round and big for her slender frame, that I struggled to get her proportions down. And she must be some kind of a contortionist - she pulled out some poses that was just undoable for a normal human being. See image 4, where she literally lifted her pelvis from the ground with her legs in the air and kept the pose for about 4 minutes! I was so captivated by this ability, it completely distracted my attention from drawing her! These poses are mostly 2, to 4 minutes for some and 15 minute pose(see last 2 images, I think). I used monolith, 9B throughout. Some of the poses are cut off...too big for the scanner, sorry for that. See also Casey's drawings from the same class at http://caseytoussaint.wordpress.com/

People in Amboise, and one window

2007-03-29T19:09:00.000+02:00

Tuesday Casey and I had our weekly art afternoon, this time at her place and since it was such a beautiful day, we decided to go out into Amboise and sketch some people. It was sunny and bright, we enjoyed a coffee, moved to new spots every so often, searched for a new pen she wants to try out, got sunkissed and lastly, looked for a birthday gift for a mutual friend, which we couldn't find...some people are just hard to buy a gift for. I hope I'm not one, I adore gifts! Once again a great day, although the sketching truggled a bit. Here are my results. See Casey's as well at http://fr.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Agz0ThsyaL8P0qvejInpNJXD9QY-?cq=1

How many differences do you spy?

2007-03-25T14:50:00.000+02:00

Play along and spot the differences between the two pictures. Click on the images to enlarge.
Stand on your head to read the answer at the bottom.

Fresh from the sea

2007-03-24T22:22:00.000+01:00

A drawing in ink and wash. I started out, planning this to be a painting, but somehow it ended up as a sketch with a wash. I chose the wrong day to do a painting...a bit low on energy that day. I used one of my photographs I took on my recent trip and it can clearly be seen in this sketch - it is lifeless and without feeling, without energy. I find that I cannot do a sketch from a photograph, somehow I don't have the ability to give it ...oomph..
Click on the image for a larger view ( hope it works this time, since I have been having problems with this clicking-thing.))
This sketch is pen and wash on Fabriano hotpressed paper.

In the limelight

2007-03-24T13:18:00.000+01:00

I finally finished this oilpainting. It took my some time though. I can't say how long...too embarressing. I have been sidetracked by unimportant things for a while there, hopefully I'm back on track now. (Click on the image to enlarge)
I love working in oil and I enjoy using it "dramatically". It is not a medium where I wish to be delicate and thoughtful and now I don't mean being disrespectful to it either by being sloppy and messy. Since oil is such a wonderful medium to push around with your brush, or knife as in this case, I enjoy going for extremes, where the endresults aren't always "pretty" or even pleasing to the eye, but where a lot of telling and emotion is conveyed to the viewer.
This was done from a series of photographs I took at a dance one evening.

oil with painting knives on canvas.
65 cm x 81 cm

A doorknob is a thing of art

2007-03-22T16:15:00.000+01:00

I love the doorknobs in my home. There are many. All the rooms have french doors that open onto a balcony. I counted all the doors - 12 of them. So I decided to draw them. I also enjoy hanging stuff on to the doors, as you'll see and that changes with every whim.

In the guestroom, always a flower glass with something from the garden, in this case a daffodil.

In the bathroom, an old star made from recycled tin, which I bought from an old retired farmer, when we lived in South Carolina...I can still hear him say with a long, southern drawl: "Oh, lordiee, lordiee.." What a fun old man he was!

Then the market basket is always on the ready at the living room door.

And here comes a little cheating as well...a door yes, but not really a doorknob, only a huge, beautiful old key. I used an old door I found at the back in one of our caves and made a bulletin board out of it, on which I hung this key and a wooden "Bonheur" heart, which really does give "Happiness" above my desk.

OK, so maybe they aren't all doorknobs, but purely for my enjoyment here, I depict them as such...a pretty porcelain handle to the bathroom and last but not least, the heavy brass handle from the large green painted wooden gates. It is always tarnished but looks glorious once it is cleaned. Which happens only when I need to get rid of bad energy. Then I'm stuck with a tennis elbow for the next 6 weeks.
There are still more doorknobs and handles and levers and keys, but I'm done now with doorknobs being a thing of art.

Casey, bunnies and lots of chocolate.

2007-03-20T22:19:00.000+01:00

Casey and I had our weekly drawing session this afternoon. It was at my house and it was another cold, windy, grim day here in France. So I went out to the store, bought one of all the Easter egg chocolates available and set that up for us to draw. I wanted everything that is good and colorful and comforting around us for this session....that was what I needed and Casey as well, since she had a rude woman at her throat yesterday....Along with all these chocolates, I got all sorts of flowers, all the cloches I had around, colorful fruit and vegetables and tea and cookies(the latter for our drinking and eating). So on the table we had all that was good and beautiful in life! Even Tokala and Ayiani found life was exciting in this drawing area.

Casey did, true to her wonderful artistic abilities, great justice to the objects she chose to do.

Look at her blog: http://fr.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-Agz0ThsyaL8P0qvejInpNJXD9QY-?cq=1

to see what I mean.

I, on the other hand, did everything but!

Instead of enjoying the color I so craved, I went for a grey graphite drawing; dark and heavy, not even doing justice to the medium either. I did everything wrong from the word go. Maybe the choice was too big, or maybe I just simply ate too much chocolate.

Anyway, I'm posting it as is.

Afterwards, I felt very gloomy about this drawing, so I decided to at least end the day on a colorful note and I did a uick sketch, light wash with ink...its a camelia for those wondering, since this one isn't a Monet either!! The after effect of those chocolates, you see...

All said and done - I had a wonderful session with Casey among the chocolate bunnies, chatting alot, laughing alot....it did me a world of good and I am grateful for having this great, fun friend in my life. Thanks, Casey...

A bowl is a bowl...is a bowl..

2007-03-19T21:18:00.000+01:00

According to most dictionaries a bowl is a round container, wider than it is deep and holds foods or fluids....That is apart from all the other meanings...shapes, sports, etc. So I took to searching my house for bowls. There are many. But then I also found other "containers" which I find have no boundaries in terms of their function.

I often use this big platter for meat dishes, salads, but I have also used it as a bowl, since it is just deep enough to prevent sauces from dripping over the sides...platter...or bowl?

Next I thought of, was my mother's silver sugar container, I now use as a spoonholder. Since I grew up never asking :" Please pass the sugarpot/caddy/bowl", but simply: "Pass the sugar", I still don't know what it really is, and should I now maybe ask to be passed the spoonbowl?

The third find in my home was the bird bath. Although it is frequented now by the birds for bathing and our cats for drinking, it did in its newly bought years serve us humans of the house well as a fruit bowl al fresco style.

Birdbath, spoonholder, platter, bowl...it is all in the eye of the beholder.

Mood in a flame

2007-03-18T17:38:00.000+01:00

After having glorious days last week, the rain settled back in yesterday, with a daring chill after the warmth of those perfect days. That drove me to a long, luxurious bath last night. As I watched my candle's flame flickering mysterious images against the wall, I thought I'd post a drawing of this mood in a candle...

Ink and wash on Arches water color paper.

I made so many mistakes in this one - once again misjudged the size of my paper, tried to correct an off-centre line by putting in more line, thus accentuating the problem(left side above), keep on fiddling with the flame so it became completely without ambiance, and left too few "lost edges" by continuing coming back and doing more lines. The learning process is an uphill journey all the time....

Picking grapes

2007-03-16T13:47:00.000+01:00

These are my last sketches on the vineyards and grape picking in Stellenbsoch. They were done in pen and wash. I plan on using all these sketches to put together a series of paintings...hopefully it will move beyond planning!

This was much more difficult than sketching the "pickers" when they were taking a break. They really picked so fast and their heads were constantly bobbing up and down in the vineyard. Just as I thought I could capture one, he would disappear. In the end I stood further back to only capture glimpses of color in the vineyards.

The first sketch is of one of the many women pickers. This woman had such a presence about her and after a few hopeless attempts to sketch her picking, I asked her if she would keep still for maybe just one minute? The minute turned out to be much shorter than I know a minute to be, but I did manage to get her down.

The last sketch of the pressing machine was very boring for me to draw. I don't like machines of any kind, except of course my coffee machine...I didn't succeed in capturing it's function, so it is hard to see what happens where, but at least you have an where the grapes fall into the shaft...

Napping in the shade of the vines.

2007-03-14T16:51:00.000+01:00

Here is the second batch of sketches of my trip to Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The first two sketches - pencil and watercolor on hotpressed Fabriano paper.

The last three - ink and wash on rough Canson paper, which I am quite happy with - it gives a feel of the roughness of the day and the job...grape picking isn't so romantic when the heat comes down on your shoulders at about 35 degrees C.

I did the sketching on the spot and the washes later that afternoon. I was mostly interested in catching their actions and gestures and since they were clothed in all the colors of the rainbow, I could only run through my whole color palette afterwards to depict that.

As for the light - it was in the middle of the day and far too white to be spectacular.

I really enjoyed this day of drawing. The Cape folk are so easy to get along with - they take life in their stride, aren't afraid to laugh, to joke, to talk, to differ and their wit has no equal! They were on lunch break and didn't mind at all that I sketched them while they were taking naps. In fact, they ganged up behind me, looking to see who the next one was to be sketched, making suggestions, made jokes, even gave advice. I shared in their lunches and drinks, but unfortunately couldn't share in the napping...would've liked to though!!

I had such fun.

I hope I did capture some romance in these napping in the shade of the vines....

Holiday in SA

2007-03-09T15:59:00.000+01:00

Being back in France for 3 days after a holiday of almost 3 weeks, leaves me a bit off balance. I'm in slow motion and struggle to pick up the pace. I think my spirit is still lingering in the sun somewhere in the Cape, South Africa. I feel inspired, but at the same time, sad. Having had the most glorious time with friends and family, being spoilt rotten...it is hard to be back and just pick up where we left off 3 weeks ago.

I did do a lot of sketching, took close to a 2000 photographs, soaked up the sun in the vineyards by picking grapes(and sketching and eating and taking pictures, all at the same time) and had close conversation with some elephants (all in good spirit...!), heard a lot of good life stories filled with great humor, ate a lot, drank a lot(I was in the wine lands after all...), laughed a lot, in fact indulged way too much in everything of all sorts, which is a good thing every now and then, no?I'll post some sketches in batches, starting off with CdG- airport, where we had to change planes because of a technical problem and could therefore only depart 3 hours later. So, here are some sketches of people wandering around...waiting, watching the clock, reading, chatting on their mobile phones, some extremely bored, others not showing any emotion....strangely enough, I couldn't find anyone sleeping...maybe in fear of being left behind?

I'm still not comfortable sketching people in public....I still have a lot of practicing to do, before I'll feel competent and at ease doing people in public, but I do enjoy it once it is done, until the next time! These were all done in the small moleskine, which I sometimes find a bit restricting.

So, here they are - all those waiting people at the airport.......

EDM 106 - Something tart

2007-02-13T15:58:00.000+01:00

The Cape gooseberry(Physalis) is one of my favorite fruits..I love the delicacy of the leaves , transparent, like the wings of a butterfly. The berry itself is quite insignificant in taste, rather tart. Back in SA, I had a friend who grew them on her farm and we would pick armsful, stuff ourselves along the way and return home to make jams and chutneys and whatever else we could think of. For decoration, they are wonderful and just kissed with a touch of gold leaf, they can turn any dessert into a visual delight.

I first sketched sort of a thumbnail in my sketchbook(the second drawing); just playing around with composition and color and values etc, and then did a more complete one, which of course, completely turned out overworked and stiff with no visual interest. This happens far more than I would like...too often my planning looks so much better than my final attempt, when"Thinking" comes into play then, it seems.

Illustration Friday - Crash

2007-02-12T16:02:00.000+01:00

It seems to be hard work to have a cat and even harder to be one!
Graphite on paper

Clementines with a cloche

2007-02-10T12:18:00.000+01:00

I want to improve my working woth watercolor, since it isn't my best medium, and I'm all over the place with it, but the more I work with it, the more I enjoy it.

I tried this cloche/clementine set-up; The first one is going for an illustration look and the second more real watercolory. Neither one ended up very much of a success....I still struggle a lot with the amount of water on my brush, from there all the watermarks and backruns. But I am having fun. Will attempt another one later.... I've eaten the clementines.

Ink sketches

2007-02-08T17:07:00.000+01:00

We went to Andorra for a week of snow and ski recently. No skiing though, since there wasn't any snow except for that made by snow canons. The girls did ski, but H(love of my life) and I passed on that one, so we did a lot of other sightseeing. One thing we did frequently, was going to the sportcentre where H could make use of WiFi available. It may sound like he is a workaholic, but he is as passionate about what he does in life as I am about doing my art. He loves his job, so his computer and notebook and pen and paper go with him, like my stuff travels with me. So, while he "WiFis and calculates and designs, I draw and write and read and watch the world go by and of course, we enjoy a cuppachino or two. The spoet centre was a great place - a big complex with indoor pools, ice skating rink, tennis courts...and a cafeteria. I did these drawings while having our coffee. The first sketch is the "food corner" in the house we stayed in.

Illustration Friday - Sprout

2007-02-07T17:59:00.000+01:00

I chose the Brussel sprout, but now it looks more like a broccoli to me. Well, they're both green and healthy....

Watercolor on paper

Illustration Friday - Red

2007-02-07T17:52:00.000+01:00

Some "Antillais" chillies that I chose for their vibrant color and interesting shapes and of course, "red-hot" is illustrative as well as figurative in this case...
Watercolor on paper.

Scissors

2007-02-07T17:20:00.000+01:00

Watercolor on paper....

I don't have any fond memories of scissors, in fact, I pretty much associate them with pain and blood, of which I have first hand experience. But then again, if I think of life without them, I can quickly conjure up images of pleasure. Like everybody else, we have scissors everywhere throughout the house. In the bedroom a small pair for removing labels or a loose thread here and there. In the bathroom...well, you know what scissors are used for in there..Then there is the handyman that cuts just about anything, although I don't believe in this all-round-scissors. I want one for every purpose - one for cutting hair and one for cutting paper, another for cutting plastic and one at close hand when I can't find the hammer, or the screwdriver or the can-opener...The sewing kit has a few of its own, and to my dismay, the huge fabric scissors is in high demand at Christmas when all the others scissors have magically disappeared. The kitchen is an interesting topic. I have yet to figure out the system - one for every task? But that would leave neither time nor place for anything else in the kitchen.

I had a pretty little old one from my mother which I kept in my handbag and forgot to take out before we had to board. I still have another one left, a very ancient model, frequently used by her and even though it lacks performance, its beauty stays unsurpassed. No psychedelic colored plastic in sight and the handle shows signs of hard use and yes, the blade is full of rust spots, but the lines are sleek and graceful and the grip allows for good comfort. Just a simple, beautiful, old pair of scissors from my childhood, one that comes from my mother's sewing kit and is now not so much a utility as a connexion to the past. So maybe I do have fond memories after all....

2007-02-05T11:19:00.000+01:00

Drawing with graphite on paper. A fair exchange - an hour or so for a new jean.

A peppery shake.

2007-02-04T17:42:00.000+01:00

This is my first contribution to EDM. I couldn't find a single pepper or salt shaker in our home, since we've always used milled salt and pepper. In fact, I have such a huge variety of different salts and peppers...but before you think I've completely lost it; besides art, one of my other passions is cooking, so having al these different salts is nothing strange. For everyday cooking, I do what my mom used to do - a pinch of salt from the salt jar next to the stove, which holds grey sea salt. For table use, we have the wonderful Fleur de sel. For special occasions I would splash out with some delicate Maldon salt flakes and just for the kick of it, I would also use Kosher salt that my husband brings me all the way from South Carolina every once or so. And everyday and everywhere we'll use the mill with the pink himalayan salt, which is apparently very healthy, but I have to admit, I choose it more for the looks! As for pepper, pretty much the same thing. The big wooden mill I use with big fanfare in the kitchen, then we have several smaller mills which I fill up with different peppers, depending on the meal and occasion; softer, mixed peppers, and a big favorite lately, the powerful Chichuan pepper(which is actually not a true pepper). So, here I am with all my salts and peppers and first drawing and very shaky legs(because of my first entry into this very talented and efficient and spontaneous group)...

I am so new to this blog-thing, so If I mess up or take more space than I ought to, or invade or whatever the case, I apologize...to be honest, I have saved this post almost 15 times as a draft, before I finally published it!

This was done with a brush pen and watercolor on watercolor paper.

Ronell