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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bambi Boerbok







What a strange title, you may say! But our true South African Boerbokke or Boer Goats are a strong and healthy breed, world famous and already bred in places as diverse as Norway, Texas, New Zealand and Australia. I am fortunate, because for me to see a true farm on the West Coast, I need only need to head for Lelieblom Farm near Darling. The wonderful thing about Lelieblom is it's realness, maintained in a natural old-fashioned style by Mike and Karen Basson! This is not a farm bought by investors and turned into a pedicured and rebuilt 5-star international resort (as happened to many farms the last couple of years); but a real-life African farm reminiscent of the earlier settler days.

I love the earth, the barn-turned-home & farm restaurant, the poultry running around and all the farm animals - an artist's dream, as Maree would say! Most of all, I love the sight of these Boerbokke! I asked Karen about their natures and had to laugh at the answer I received: "friendly, curious, and extremely naughty! No garden, fence or tree is safe with them around!" (In vain I asked Karen for some wild aloes- they were all eaten! Ouch!)

Today I present TWO paintings. Pretty Bambi Boerbok is so sweet! Those pink lips turn into whiskers and he will sport a beard later on! Lucky are those with black or brown faces as the colour protect their eyes! I painted the background all white and quickly dabbed and in the stones, grass and foliage, all wet-in-wet.

The second painting is a large fantasy scene, which I later want to paint larger still! The animals and background belong to Lelieblom Farm but the girl and fence were imagined. It is called Sweet Sleep at Noon, based on a poem by Virgil. This work is an oil on canvas board and I used the little wooden artist's mannikin to work out the proportions for the girl.


20 comments:

  1. Marie, what a darling goat! and I love your explanation......I always learn so much reading your blog! I can just wander through all the places you describe so beautifully with your words and paintings. Thanks too for describing how you painted the picture.

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  2. Aaaaaw Marie! This is so precious! You've captured it beautifully! And yes, naughty they certainly are - Karen has hit the nail on the head, NOTHING is safe from them, not even washing on the line! smile!

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  3. Thank you, cissy! Your words mean a lot to me! English is not my home language, so I always hope that my writing works well with the paintings. Thank you so much!

    Maree, he already has that mischievous look, I think! Washing too!! Oh, dear!

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  4. I love goats almost as much as your beautiful goat paintings! Oh Marie...I am in awe of that gorgeous Aloe painting.... I love it!

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  5. Pragtig Marie, baie dankie! Die bokkies is 'n groot plesier en altyd so mooi as hulle op 'n streep uit gaan om te gaan wei. Jy het Lelieblom so mooi beskryf en dankie vir die pragtige skilderye oor die bokke.

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  6. Thank you for the visit, Jess!

    Oh, Sheila, you leave such kind comments! Thank you for appreciating my work!

    How wonderful it is to hear from Lelieblom Farm. Karen, when I see only boats, rocks and water to blog about, there is always something different at your farm!

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  7. I love the sweetness of these two, Marie, and your thoughts and impressions of Lelieblom farm. I'd love to see the buildings you described too. The second piece reminded me of the Mary had a little lamb song, for some reason.

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  8. Thank you, Sherry. My husband also thinks of Little Bo-Peep. But you should really read that wonderful poem by Virgil ( on my link). And to see more photos of the farm, use this link: http://www.lelieblom.co.za/Gallery.aspx

    Thank you, Cathyann, he is off to eat someone's washing!

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  9. Bambi is darling-- I especially like the outline and the way the black and white looks against the patterned grass.

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  10. Wonderful pieces, Marie. I love when you can imagine a scene and paint it. I am not very good at that. Using the artist mannekin is a great idea.

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  11. Thank you Diane, I always like the way your backgrounds recede and the foreground advance. So I am happy about your observation!

    Thank you, Mary! I break away like this sometimes!

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  12. Both paintings are beautiful - but Bambi is so sweet it makes me gasp! So tender - you really captured the 'kid-ness' in him!

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  13. Interesting and informative post Marie. I have heard of your little goats, they appear to be so charming. Your painting captures their mischievous spirit.

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  14. Hi Marie, What sweet paintings, I love goats. You should do a series. Love that aloe painting too, love all the darks surrounding the aloe, wonderful effect.

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  15. Kelley, I am so glad you liked both paintings as the girl-with-goats painting is my favorite not-for-sale piece! And thank you for the beautiful description of Bambi!

    Carol, I am so glad the fame of our goats can stretch so far! Yes, naughty little face!

    Barbara, you are right! I can just do goats all day, followed by other farm animals. I yearn to do roosters and Lelieblom has different colors of chickens there. Thank you for taking a peek at my older paintings too!

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  16. I really like both of these pieces, Marie!
    Thanks for introducing me to the South African Boerbokke.

    Your invented painting is very imaginative and mood evoking.

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  17. Beautiful goats, and I like especially the 2nd painting, Marie!Lovely!

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  18. Hi Dean, you're welcome! Boerbokke are quite special, and thanks for the comments about the second painting which really express how I feel about a farm!

    Thank you, Sylviane! I am glad you likes my peaceful animals and girl!

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  19. I just love your familiarity with and your celebration of your adopted homeland. The paintings are beautiful and the goats are just sweet.
    I get it. If their faces are white the sun glares in their eyes?

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