A selection of my latest work, since moving to Aberdeen / Xamdeboo in March.
I've been exploring the town and the surroundings with my plein air partner in crime and guide (he's already been living here for twelve years), watercolour artist Curt Marthezé.
I've added some close ups for you to see the brush marks (my most favourite thing).
Most are still available. Email me for details or take a look in my online shop.
One of the things I like to learn first about a new environment are the names of the mountains, mostly because they are one of my areas of interest when it comes to paintings. I do love a mountain.
This is a view from the road between Aberdeen and Klipplaat where we stopped one Sunday afternoon for a plein air painting session on the side of the road. I've been told the flat topped mountain here is called Toorkop (Magic Peak), but I can't confirm that.
The title of this one is a play on words. In Afrikaans, the language of choice in Aberdeen, Plein means Square and the address of this closed up shop is on the corner of Voortrekker Square. We headed out early on Saturday morning to paint en plein air in Voortrekker Plein (Square). The clouds were threatening, but the sun did break through eventually and give me some shadows to include in this painting. As we stood painting on the side of the road, people were heading to work and the shops, and some were setting up stalls on the side of the road for Saturday morning's shoppers to browse.
The Karoo skies are something quite special, some night pastel and subtle, and other evenings dramatic as you get. This was one of those dramatic evenings, in our garden in Aberdeen. Photographed and painted from reference in studio.
There is a specific feeling in Aberdeen of wide dirt roads and long afternoon shadows. This was a photograph I took on a dog walk and painted in the studio.
Another one of those "catch your eye" properties in Aberdeen. This one is just around the corner from where we live, and it painted a delicious turquoise with a "front garden" of cactuses right on the road.
This one is a real favourite. We drove out onto Palmietfontein Road (the road to a farm called Palmietfontein - although we didn't get that far) for a plein air session. It was a bit windy and we were right on the road. During the painting session two farmers stopped to appreciate what we were doing, and to tell us about their love of art. We also got permission for future painting sessions on one of the farmers' land with a slightly higher viewpoint. Watch this space!