A painting that was just a nothing can turn into a something
It is a fun challenge to take a painting that was just a lot of nothing and then add more to it and see what happens ….
Step Two – using corrugated cardboard print some hut walls
Just keep adding some fun stuff
Add colour and be a little bit reckless
Add some negative shapes here and there
so then I had to fix it a bit but it got worse … what’s a person to do except carry on making more reckless brush strokes
Some lifting to restore what I had destroyed and then a cup of tea
find some people in the shadows and pull out some highlights and negative shapes
a bit of cropping to cut out some of the tree disaster and ink pencil work, some lines and loose goose brush work
All in all a fun little painting that could have been discarded at any point but it was fun to push it as far as it could go. Looking back I see there are some moments that were good before I over played them – but if we played safe we would never learn.
Go ahead and have a fun time – take an old painting and make some huts and shacks – they don’t need to be perfect works of architecture.
Monday 4th November was an early start for me and my husband Bobby as we left Plettenberg Bay in the “wee” hours to get to St Francis by 9:00 for a full, fun day of water colour painting with friends.
We only just got there in time as we had to travel s l o w l y – because the car had just had a new engine put in it and this day saw its maiden voyage.
As we arrived a room full of lovely artists were unpacked and ready to go with creative explorations. It was a little daunting walking into a room full of people – lots of hugs and then we began.
Many thanks to Christine and Heather for getting the group together and thank you to Robyn, Marlene and Donne’ for coming all the way from Port Elizabeth for the day.
Beryl and Lynne. So glad you are ready to paint again Beryl. Enjoy every moment.
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Paulene and Pippa creating magic.
Christine and Ann – just let it flow.
Donne’ and Kathy – magic happens when we release our anxiety and need to control the flow.
PE Artists, Donne’ and Robyn do it in style – this was like a workout x
Keeping our creative muscles fit!
Marlene created a beautiful painting.
Step by Step beginnings of reflections Exploring lots of fun techniques. Glenda’s glowing scene in the making.
The Lovely Group of Artist at the St Francis Bay Water Colour Workshop – Reflections
My Friend, Douglas Magnus and I were sharing a moment on my mother’s bench facing the glorious beach of Jeffrey’s Bay. We were chatting about the Journey of Life and Honouring my Mom’s passing. It was a moment to be remembered and we took this photo of us smiling up into the camera held arm’s length away, hoping to capture the sense of Friendship and Quietness that settles when one stops the rush of life and reflects of the Magnificence of our Life Journey.
Douglas has been such an inspiration to so many people. He has a “terminal” diagnosis, but he is too busy being alive and sharing this with others to just let go and GO.
He GETS IT.
He sees the sunsets, the dawn the clouds and Light. He surfs in his favorite place in Jeffrey’s Bay, like he has done for decades. He has said farewell to friends who thought he would be leaving first. He blesses the lives of all those he encounters with his poems and writing.
Douglas is one of the MAGNIFICENT and God Loves him.
I am proud to call you my Friend dear Douglas and I hold you in my Heart always x
This painting was created from the Heart.
Let the Sun Shine In – by Douglas Magnus
Memorable Quotes and Sayings
Step by Step a painting is created – Moment by Moment we are Created
Happy Days! Thank you to all the participants and also to Lynne and Chris Hattingh for arranging for the use of the Ski-Boat Club. This was a superb venue with inspiring views. Also thank you to Heather Funston for getting the artists together and for the delicious eats we all shared and enjoyed.
The two days took us on a journey of highs and lows – the aspects of struggle than come with any new learning. It would be easy to simply watch participants work within their realm of known comfort, however, this workshop asked that the artists suspend self-judgement and allow for the unexpected. The delightful 80 year young Eva Taylor displayed enormous courage in working in this new style and her paintings bloomed into artistic expressions. I heard her saying “I am going home now”, and then a surprising happening occurred and she played some more. It was a thrilling and daunting process and I am so proud of all the artists for trusting the work and their creativity.
Heather made us divine Quiches for lunch – thank you xEva getting some encouragement from Ann – and that’s what friends are for
Valda Barratt managed to create a masterpiece painting in the true flow of ease. I think that most of the artists were surprised to see how a painting can grow into beauty and depth of interest.
Valda’s Painting
I am hoping that this group continue to push all aspects of their creativity in the creation of their art work. The difference in an artistic creation and a painting is that element of creativity; the unexpected that can never be repeated, not by anyone. It is the moment of feeling and being; allowing the flow and serendipity; the adjusting to the work in moment by moment awareness.
Valda began tentatively and graciously, allowing each wash to move and flow. The layers clung onto one another and created the luminous work that just seemed to appear from the soul of Creativity.
We create magnificence when we let go of the small, prescribed and manufactured painting and open ourselves to live in the realm of possibility.
Magic Happens
The method of granulation is so thrilling as each effect is the result of the properties of the paint – the opacity and translucency.
As each layer flows over the other the most incredible effects become evident.
No one in the world could ever produce this painting. Each painting that is loved into being is a spark of the Truth. We are the Lovers of the Creation and so we paint.
Fay Keevy or should I say, Fay-mous, my treasure Friend, got the concept immediately and in style true to her own, produced the marvelous effect in moments. I love the way Fay just does. No hesitating, no fear, just boldness.
Thank you Fay for being my chauffeur too.
Fay Keevy – the fast artist. Fay just “gets it” x
Let It Flow – Life is full of surprises when we Allow – Let Go and Let God
Lynne Hattingh understands this work and it is her ability to allow for this flow that has been instrumental in her creation of wonderful art.
Lynne’s beginning painting – glowing with life
Maureen was new to water colour painting so this was a big step in bravery. It was thrilling to watch her bravery. The lack of constricted previous learning was helpful in allowing Maureen to just enjoy the adventure with no preconceived ideas. Maureen just loved watching the color and movement unfold.
Maureen captured magic
Maureen’s incredible painting
The process of creating the density and luminosity with the granulation technique depends on the colors one chooses and the way in which the paints are applied. This technique is a fabulous way to create texture and interest in landscapes.
Luminous beginnings for a landscape using the granulation technique. Colours used were yellow ochre, sap green, purple lake and dioxazine purple
Ann Andrews opened up to the idea of the creative flow work and the translucency that developed in her work was delightful to see. What is so exciting to see is the way the washes change moment by moment.
Glenda worked with the idea of flow and the process was just a tad challenging as the holding on and waiting for the effect to “happen” makes the artist stay with the process and not run ahead trying to find a defining form or “picture”.
Glenda just allowing
Glenda being brave and holding off “making a picture” and allowing the unique effects to emerge.
This is the magic of Flow – when we are being our True Self we too Flow with the Creativity of Life
Beautiful, unique work.
Sample of granulation technique by JoyHouses by Joy Truscott
East Cape Watercolour Association will be hosting a workshop in Port Elizabeth ARTEC – EPSAC on the 6th June 2012.
Visit their site at EpsacCommuntyArtCentre@southafricanartists.com
This is going to be a full day of wonderful watercolour adventures designed to allow for the unique flow of creativity from novices to the more experienced artists.
The cost per person is R130 and participants to please bring their own lunch and snacks to keep their energy levels up. Chocolate is always a good idea. Hmmmm! and drinking water.
The workshop will begin at 9:30’ish and will be a mix of demonstration time – learning some fun techniques – and work time. Please bring your art supplies and view the recommendations for colours to please bring along as this will help us with the first exercise.
What are we doing together?
Lovely Landscapes
If you have a scene that is calling you to paint, please bring a picture and we will work on it in the later part of the day.
Here are some photos from our farm beyond Rustenberg which our family owned some years back. This beautiful place is my Nature Home.
Hanneke using water flow to create an amazing beginning
Oh Heather !
Lynda’s Cane Chair by Joy Truscott
Berry, ginger, apple, banana, date fruit drink at “The Pub” in McGregor
Christine Chapman experiencing flow of granulation
Ah – and the peace descends like a gentle breeze of Light and Love
Heather Funston’s AMAZING creation
Marianne’s mysterious and marvelous painting
Studio cat in deep relaxation under the watchful eye of Shambles – painted by Christine as a gift for me x
Gill working her cane chair and bougainvillea painting
Heather’s flow painting capturing the imagination
The Studio
Rose’s beautiful work
Treasure Gift from Gill Ratcliffe
Hanneke’s beautiful piece
Marianne Saddington’s creation
Jo’s Artist Prayer
Irene at the lovely French cafe of the Oudtshoorn Hotel
Bougainvillea and my cane chair
A long and beautiful drive from Plettenberg Bay to McGregor
Christine’s cane chair
Getting there is part of the fun and of course – stopping for tea and scones
The Chapel at Lords in McGregor – we are going to plan a retreat event here for sure. It was wonderful meeting Colin, thank you for the happy evening, soaking up the beauty of the mountains x
Gill’s painting beginning
Heather in creative progress
It is like walking in a painting
Heather Funston at the beginning of her masterpiece
Rose
Gill’s incredible flow painting
Gill
Marianne’s folds of colour beginning to shape the rose
Great company
Painting of Shambles my gift from Christine x thank you x
Rose
Jo’s Studio – McGregor
Busy happiness
Rose flowing colour and leaving light areas
Heather’s painting taking shape
One of my favourite things – rooibos latte and scones at the Oudtshoorn Hotel
View stop on the George pass
And REST in comfort
Irene – a great driver and Jack our trusty steed took us safely there and back
Marianne and Christine in Jo’s studio
Hanneke’s grandchild portrait using the granulation technique
Christine
Marianne loving the work into being
Tea and delicious juice break at the “The Pub”
Playing with shape and colour, techniques and painting behind
Hanneke’s fast play flow experiment
Hanneke’s work – so fast and on the way to being a beautiful piece
Gwynneth Myrtle Horn (nee Davey) 8 September 1936 – 15 April 2010
Teddy and Gwynny in one of their favourite places – Mauritius
This little poem was written late one night a few months before my darling Mom passed away. The words flowed into my awareness and I felt like they were spoken to me from the Soul of my Mom in preparation for her Leaving. (Written 14th February 2010. Gwynny passed away 15th April 2012)
When you Find me Rested in my Chair
From the Soul of my Mom
When you find me rested in my chair,
Sit beside me quietly there,
As you offer up a final prayer.
Let it be filled with thanks for gifts of Love
To touch my Soul that’s just above.
And even though my pulse is no longer there
Know my Soul’s embrace is everywhere
Some tears may fall, for you my child –
But let these words to your Heart say,
Your Mother loved you in Every Way.
The song of life continues in your smile
Now you hold the journey that makes Life worthwhile.
You see, it matters not that we have aged,
What’s important is that we played.
The parting now may be filled with yearning
Still we danced through this life journey –
Somehow needing one another for our Spirit’s Learning.
So as you say goodbye to that part of me that is no more,
Embrace the Soul that now lifts and soars.
It is without a doubt, I know,
That we shall meet again when it is your time to let go.
Our souls shall once again be reconciled
And you will see the Love Light in my smile.
Remember only the best of me,
And forgive the parts of my human frailty.
My child, I say to you with all my heart,
That in this Life, loving you was the very best part.
Until then, my beloved one, I’ll watch over you and hold you dear,
Remember,
I am always near.
Lynda, David, Joy – Mommy’s Angels
She is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone, Or you can smile because she lived, You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back, Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her Or you can be full of the love that you shared, You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she is gone Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on, You can cry and close your mind be empty and turn your back, Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
‘For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning’
Psalm 30:5
Teddy and Gwynny – thank you for being such beautiful parents x
Farewell our Gwynny, we will Love you and miss you until we meet again x
In our art classes we like to be a little bit crazy – it helps to have Julio crooning the song “Crazy” in the background.
Heather's amazing work of art created out of her intuitive painting beginning
Ros stage one
We needed to move into the garden to free us up to splash with reckless abandon; then viewing the creations from a little height gives an altered perspective.
Heather’s amazing work of art created out of her intuitive painting beginning
