3 new works

I started the year with a commissioned painting... which is good and bad. The good is obviously having a definite sale to start the year with. The negative is that, until that was complete, it kind of blocked any other work. I was feeling inspired to do more of my series examining the plight of many women and children in Africa, and the great 1st world/3rd world divide, but had to first stay in "historic building" mode for a while.

corner Buckingham and Way 900x600

Anyway the building is now signed, sealed delivered, and I am free to run along the Africa path again for a while. Two have emerged so far.........

Window of Opportunity... OK I studied, now what?

1200x1000mm

I saw this young man at a huge political rally I went to. One of the big themes of the day was job creation, honest and transparent leadership, jobs going to those who are qualified rather that cronies of other leaders etc. And my heart went out to him, because there are SOOO many youngsters who have studied hard, often under really trying conditions, and achieved results, but now they sit in desperation looking for jobs. And the sad reality is, with unemployment soaring, the chances are, it is not going to happen. What does he do? How does he live? How does he even BEGIN to plan a future?

Emerging from the shadows

900x600mm

A more hopeful painting, the rainbow nation emerges from the shadows, there is a way to go, but the spirit of the country is changing, we are proud, more and more united, and the future looks bright.

filling in the gaps

The new exhibition is up and getting good reviews, so I now have a little breathing space to upload all the paintings that have been done recently but not posted yet. One drawback of painting fast and furiously is that the admin involved in naming, pricing, keeping track of sales and which webpage they are posted to is quite daunting at times. So I have spent the last 2 days trying to sort out my database and South African Artists webpage.

The first batch is from the current exhibition..............

Title: Farewell Homeland, Where now?

Size: 600x900 mm

SOLD

This is based on photos taken by a family member while working with refugees in Sudan. The effects of the endless war-mongering seem to leave the women and children particularly vulnerable. One wonders what the future could possibly hold for these kids.

Title: Fleeing Dafur
Size: 900x600 mm

SOLD

Same comments as above.

Title: Pete's Country Path
Size: 400x400 mm

This is based on a photo I saw on a blog, and fell in love with. It was taken by Pete Parrott. He is a very talented photographer who roams around the area of Hyde, UK, taking marvelous photos and sharing them on his blog. He kindly gave permission for me to use one as inspiration for this painting.

................and the next batch is from last month's Historic Port Elizabeth Exhibition.

with frame

Title: Ivy Terrace
Size: 350x450 mm (plus frame)

This is a quaint and attractive block of flats built on a plot in historic Central with a very acute angle between two roads.

SOLD

Title: 24-26 Callington Street

Size: 300x300mm

Cute old semi detached houses on the steep street.

with frame

Title: 16 Raleigh Street after restoration
Size: 350x450 (plus frame)

This house has recently been beautifully renovated and turned into a wonderful bakery and coffee shop. They bake bread using organic stone ground flours, and people come from all over town to buy it, and sit on the patio sipping their great coffee! We are lucky that they are just a couple of blocks from us!

with frame

SOLD
Title: Castle Hill
Size: 500x250 mm (excluding frame)

This is one of the oldest streets in PE, and has a lovely variety of interesting buildings, and a view over the harbour.

SOLD

Title: NG Church from Russell Rd Cemetary
Size: 250x500 excluding frame

Sorry about the terrible photo, somehow this one slipped through the cracks, and I only snapped it once it was hanging in the gallery. It sold at the exhibition, so I won't get a chance to get a better one.

Title: 11 Raleigh Street

Size 150x150mm

SOLD

another of the popular little 6 inch square paintings of cute houses.

Title: Central from across Russell Road

Size: 800x400 mm

SOLD

I just love the streetscapes in this area, the variety of rooftops, spires, etc make for interesting groupings.

That's it for now, soon I'll post some older pictures which were done before I started this blog.

Forthcoming Exhibition

My group exhibition looms just around the corner.... still frantically trying to complete a few more paintings, and get them dry enough to frame! Will post some of the new ones when I come up for air again.

Between us, we have about 90 pictures, but Bob the photographer also has boxes of old prints that he is going to lay out on tables to sell. I have already got dibbs on some of then, they are fascinating. Pictures of trams going up narrow streets which are now 6 lane main roads, some very interesting harbour and aerial shots etc. All 3 of us are passionate about our historic areas, and it shows in our work.

My daughter K has been doing a lot of research into the area, and is going to write notes on as many of the buildings featured in pictures as possible, so that whoever buys one not only gets a painting, but a sense of the history of the place as well.

In the meantime, here is your personal invitation to the opening!

Anyone in PE who sees this and is interested is very welcome to attend. The exhibition runs from 12th to 23rd February.