Patience and Dignity

There is something of which all travelers to Africa become aware: Africa has its own time. Everything is done rhythmically, peacefully and slow. And look at the old people, there is an inborn dignity! This man was seen from a vehicle in Zanzibar. I just never like to ask people for a "pose", as much will be lost in the posed photograph. In the moments I have seen him, time stood still for me. Everything was just perfect! No hard selling, like that seen in the resorts, took place. God provided the fruit and by-and-by the regular customers would come along.

I used a limited palette in keeping with the subject. You should see the new skies in my work! I am tired of pretty perfect skies....these markings must say something else. The painting can be purchased HERE after the exhibition.

On the 1st of August, I am taking part in a 3-women exhibition in Pretoria. All welcome:

Something Different from My Studio

I am still passionate about the West Coast, but as I took care of Philip during his long illness, there were no opportunities to travel and collect stories. 

 In 2011 I brought photos back from a Zanzibar vacation and started some paintings depicting the note of sadness and the immense dignity I found in Africa. I asked two friends to be my partners and we organised an exhibition called "Can You Hear the Drums" for  August this year. 

When my husband became ill, I still had a painting to finish. One day I switched to W and N ARTISAN water soluble paints, which have no fumes, and dragged an easel into the bedroom. This painting was made with Philip looking on. He really enjoyed seeing a work being painted from beginning to end. It will go on my exhibition soon. So today, not the West Coast but an African image of a Masai Mom and Son! It will also be available for viewing  here

Thank you for all those very kind sympathetic letters and comments I received after my previous post. I treasure them and have filed all of them to read again and again. The outpouring of love and support is still carrying me along. Love and hugs, Marie Theron.

The World Looks so Different Today

We had the loveliest West Coast weather here. On a bright and warm star-filled Saturday morning, my darling husband passed away peacefully in his own bed with three of his family around him. There is not a hand book or guide for these things, they happen and you are stunned.

I will love him always: Philip was my best friend for 50 years and my husband for 47. (Photo by Jon Ivins)

And then one day...............

And then one day, illness entered our home and everything changed. This was a painting I started in December when daughter Helen and our youngest grandchild arrived from the States to visit her father. She had a long stay and a week ago arrived back here at the West Coast for another visit. We decided to upload the sketch as it is, and make time later to do the painting. The sketch symbolises all the visitors coming through the gate.

We were so fortunate this last weekend when we had all four children together. How they cheered and helped and cooked and were so very supportive. Two of the grandchildren were

here too, and we took a quick photograph. As far as my husband, Philip's health is concerned, we remain hopeful and prayerful and trust him to choose his course of treatment.

I love my blog, I love my blog followers! I notice that some friends check up almost daily to see whether there is a new post or at least word of what has happened to me. So this is where I am, friends, nursing the wonderful man I have known for 50 years.

The Small Things

Guest Artist #2 Lurina Fourie

"For the person for whom small things do not exist, the great is not great" - Jose Ortega y Gasset" This short quote sums up what we are trying to convey with today's post.

I am truly swamped with work and fiercely working for two or three exhibitions which do not have the West Coast theme. But while I am otherwise occupied, there are many talented artists and photographers to keep my blog up and running and I love searching them out and inviting them!

Lurina Fourie of Lurina Fourie Professional Photography Services, also lives in Velddrif on the Berg River. Lurina zooms in on the amazing detail one finds on the beach and river bank. It was difficult to choose just a few of her photos for this post!

Bluebottles in their true colours...Lurina admired the rim
that looked like embroidery stitching

Everybody loves sea anemone shells, but what a find
 was this with hundreds of them stranded after red tide

A moment only the very patient beach dweller will see:
 Spring flowers, the ocean and a pink heart in the clouds

A wave after red tide, magnificent in its anger and beauty !

An injured young cormorant at Laaiplek, shouting at the curious photographer. Lurina
was happy when he was restored to health and flew off

Millions of tiny jewel-like stones form our West Coast
 sand,  how inviting is this sunny image. I can feel that peace

Beautifully captured, I could not resist this photo that says so much about our beaches
where there is space and you can really breathe

Thank you Lurina! Unforgettable work! Please click on her images enlarge.