Large scale 100 cm X 100 cm Acrylic on canvas artwork featured in bedrooms of the Santa Lucia Guesthouse in St Lucia KZN. The rooms each feature two distinct sets of artwork: A large Giraffe Portrait: It uses expressive brushwork and a neutral palette of warm tans, rich browns, beige, and charcoal accents against a…
The wilds of Africa
Living in this part of the world, surrounded by lush tropical bush and wild surf with leopard, buck, hippos and warthog roaming the small enclave of St Lucia there is always an abundance of inspiration.
Manifesting Magnolias
One of my all time favourite flowers to paint. A magnolia in full bloom is a magnificent flower. Their petals are not fragile or papery; but instead hold a luxurious, weight to the touch, curving inward. Their colour isn’t a stark, clinical white, but a warm, decadent hue—the shade of fresh heavy cream, whipped milk,…
Creamy prehistoric magnificence
Some fascinating magnolia history and factoids: The essence of a magnolia flower combines the prehistoric strength of one of the earth’s oldest surviving plants with an ethereal, creamy, and citrus-spiced sweetness. Magnolias predate bees. To survive the stomping and chewing of their original pollinators (beetles), they evolved thick, waxy, modified leaves called “tepals”. This gives…
Tiny treasures
Miniatures are always challenging to create, especially when you are trying to convey a full vase of flowers on a 2.5 cm X 2.5 cm space. You brushes are smaller, your canvas size is smaller and your eyes are squinting more than usual! From a distance they look like small, finely painted vases of flowers….
Under the sea
Under the sea is a series of 10 cm x 10 cm little cards inspired by my daughters love of the sea and passion for diving. She spends months over the summer diving and exploring the Sodwana Bay reefs.
Big beef
Have any of you read Gerald Durrell’s books? He’s one of those authors from another generation who dont seem to be so popular today. I grew up reading his books. He was a naturalist, zookeeper, and conservationist. There was so much humour and adventure in his search of animals around the world that he details…
Rhodesian flame lily
The African Flame Lily, scientifically known as Gloriosa superba is easily recognized by its distinctive bi-colored flowers, usually bi-colored yellow and orange-scarlet, that resemble flames. The flame lily has several common names, including climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, and fire lily. In certain regions, it is also referred to as Amakukhulume (Ndebele), Kajongwe…
A precious 4-legged furby
I don’t often take pet portrait commissions, but this little fella was a much loved doggie who had crossed over to the rainbow ridge, and his Mom wanted a painting of him.
Animals
Animals, animals and more animals….
Magnolia branch
I love painting magnolias. I haven’t painted any in a while now so I figured it was time. This is a large painting 100 cm X 100 cm of a branch filled with sculptural magnolia flowers and buds at various stages of opening.
