Island Children

I am still taking my West Coast followers on a journey into deeper Africa! Our exhibition was popular and we were requested to leave our paintings behind as some of them may be used in other shows as time goes by. Of course, the public can still purchase a painting from the website. At the end of this post, I will also give the You Tube link to the opening night.

These children lived in a cute cottage on Zanzibar island bordered by tall fruit trees on one side and a spice farm on the other side. I really loved the 'make-do' appearance of the little home. Where there is clean washing, there is a normally functioning family. Kids in Zanzibar wear modern clothes, but their mothers and older sisters will always be seen in the attractive bright kangas. I noticed a washing line deeper into the shadows where a couple of these colourful pieces were drying away from the harsh sun.

They are playing here as kids do everywhere, the older one definitely the leader! Young brother is watching her closely to find out what game she would devise for them. Later at supper I will bet that the food would be flavourful and spicy and will be followed with lots of wonderful fruit, which is so plentiful here. Some of my paintings are almost large illustrations, as I try to tell a story of the daily lives of people in Africa.

The girl in pencil:

Bright kangas provide camouflage to the lady on the right:

Some links:
Spend a few moments with us at the opening night of 'Can You Hear The Drums' I can be briefly spotted in a dark red leather coat!
View purchase details of 'Island Children'
View paintings by my partner Tatyana Binovskaya

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.