I can only present you with a preparatory sketch today! This type of sketch is what usually lies underneath my proper painting.
Like many small towns here and everywhere else, Piketberg started with a church building. Towering above everything else is this very impressive Dutch Reformed Church with splendid gardens all around and the mountain behind. It is already two centuries old and was designed and built in Neo-Gothic style by Carl Otto Hagen and has now been declared a National Monument.
The days are getting busy here...I have almost finished the painting of a West Coast plant that I will post on Christmas day, but for the rest everything is suspended and my personal paints and brushes will be packed away as I "renting" out my studio to my 5-year-old twin granddaughters for their crafting and painting in exchange for lots of hugs!
Before leaving my blog, you might also like to read the 10 Questions I answered for Portfolio Collections, a wonderful domain who had won the South African Blog of the Year Award 2009. Click on my portrait in the right-hand column.
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Looks stunning and I'm sure it's going to be great. Why is everything packed away? Is it for the Christmas season or because you're having visitors?
ReplyDeleteYou do indeed live in a beautiful place, Marie. Your home looks beautiful, the view breathtaking. I want to come live with you! Loved your positive and cheerful outlook and wish I could coffee with you at Simone's. She sounds delightful too. I love the underpainting you've done; I think it stands alone beautifully!
ReplyDeleteHi Maree an AutumnLeaves, thanks for liking my sketch, everybody here thought that I should not continue the painting but leave it as a sketch. The underpaintings are all done quite fast with linework in navy blue craft paint and some thinned acrylics for the colour planning. Thereafter I work it in detail in either acrylic or oil.
ReplyDeleteAnd both of you, thank you for reading my article! AutumnLeaves, I did a painting of Simone's on my blog with the name: Brownies, Anybody? It is in the July box in the index!
Marie, loved the interview and I left them comment. Your work is such a treasure for the West Coast.
ReplyDeleteMarie, I love the sketch too and it almost makes me sad to think it will go away - do you keep a sketch/watercolor journal when you travel? I had a teacher suggest that once and it was a great idea - so portable.
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed the article in Portfolio Collections. I can see why you are so taken with the West coast and all of the wonderful things to paint. I loved the description of your days spent painting, but especially love the idea of having coffee in your bedroom with your most recent painting, next to your studio. And aaahhh...the sunshine in that photo of your studio!
ReplyDeleteI like the beginnings of this painting. You will be surprised when you see the painting I am working on. It is very similar to the way you have portrayed the church. I will look forward to seeing the finished picture, as well as to seeing the Christmas picture.
Cheers
Catherine
Marie, thanks for commenting on my blog and letting me know my comment did not make it onto the interview page. So I resent and this time received a statement that it would appear after approval.
ReplyDeleteNice going!
This is just stunning Marie, I wish I could visit in person. Your artwork and commentary is charming and interesting. I look forward to each post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, Marie! I love the sketch and the account on Picketberg is facinating! And did I tell you how much I enjoyed reading your interview? Holiday hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSo nice Marie, a very interesting composition. So cute that you are "renting" your studio out for hugs, lol. I enjoyed reading your ten questions, wow you live in a beautiful place. Lucky you
ReplyDeleteMarie - I thought I had added you to my listing for BLOGS I ENJOY to come up every time you add a post - but seems I have missed quite a few. .. but just had fun running through a number. The dutch architecture reminds me of one of the dwellings we stayed at during my visit - I think it was when we visited the Cederberg Mountains to view the rock cave paintings. Loved your recent works and sketches and look forward to see how your church sketch evolves into a full painting.
ReplyDeletethanks for your encouraging comments!...your rich colors and depth inspire meet to get back on track and get the paint brush moving...although i did try a pallett knife for the first time in about 30 yrs...i was very refreshing
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