tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55408446313745267312024-03-13T14:00:19.180+02:00Pick more daisiesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-82885305325848950042015-04-21T10:07:00.000+02:002015-04-21T10:11:10.467+02:00Plein air inspirationIn March, I was invited to speak at the Constantiaberg Art Society (CAS) about my passion for plein air painting. Having done a presentation to the South African Society of Artists (SASA) at the end of last year, I actually shortened what I had to share... as the real lesson of plein air painting is to go out and do it!<br />
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I received this wonderful warm feedback from CAS, and hope to inspire others to get out into nature and look at it through artist's eyes. I'm also thinking of doing plein air workshops again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uWw1vmwuUne0S2GgRIjjbrucxRA1xIN8RoYABfizu8WqopeJ08VzaBAhbdkik6gi1HOL_EFJOIf6f6ErvvoE1M7NmiMkWwgrheCcTDGt0A2pqX28ZWHCympWIQ0NUGCR1vEexlnhxII/s1600/Plein+air_Lyn+speaking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uWw1vmwuUne0S2GgRIjjbrucxRA1xIN8RoYABfizu8WqopeJ08VzaBAhbdkik6gi1HOL_EFJOIf6f6ErvvoE1M7NmiMkWwgrheCcTDGt0A2pqX28ZWHCympWIQ0NUGCR1vEexlnhxII/s1600/Plein+air_Lyn+speaking.jpg" height="203" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Lyn Northam gave us the most interesting and informative demo and talk on 'en plein air' painting. </i><i>Her friendly spirit and knowledge that she imparts is a delight. She gave us information on the simple </i><i>equipment needed for sitting out in the sun, the rain and all sorts of weather. </i><br />
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<i>She made it look simple but really it was an education, something we do not think about taking with us or even on the value of </i><i>certain aides/ideas and the special know-how of selecting a view to paint - or what to leave out. </i><br />
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<i>Lyn, </i><i>your demo was exhilarating and encouraged even the meek to venture out and try their hands at plein air painting. </i><i>Thank you for the most valuable information that any aspiring and professional artist could wish to achieve from a wonderful demo and talk."</i><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-49681538580516072302012-12-22T22:07:00.000+02:002013-02-28T10:01:52.369+02:00Summer art saleMarketing art has become an interesting subject amongst us artists! Through galleries, Kirstenbosch exhibition hall or through friends is the usual way.<br />
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Saturday and Sunday 1 - 2 December was chosen to be my first at home summer art sale weekend - a chance to share a large showing of my paintings to family, friends, neighbours, SASA and CAS artist members and past pupils.<br />
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The garden angle was dashed due to 110km South Easter winds during the week so the dining room, lounge and patio became a huge gallery of art! It was even a thrill for me to see it all hanging together reminding me of many wonderful plein air ventures!!<br />
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What a delightful event of meeting, talking, shopping and drinking tea in the garden. Well worth the effort, and resulting in 33 new owners of my work too! Talents are for sharing and enriching all of our lives.<br />
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Be blessed with peace, beauty and love this Christmas and the new year of 2013.Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-80893965847473910012012-12-22T21:29:00.000+02:002013-02-28T09:59:29.823+02:00Kgalagadi MagicSuch a busy time of the year! The Mayan calender ending yesterday, and the world never ending as some predicted, has prompted me to journal two events in November/December 2012 that were amazing to me!<br />
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A painting that virtually painted itself from the very beauty of the early morning sunrise (6.30am) at a hide in Nossob, Kgalagadi (September 2012). This is a game reserve in the Kalahari Desert in northern South Africa. Freezing cold, bundled up in anorak and gloves, watching the doves huddled on an old log at a waterhole was mindblowingly beautiful! As they flew off, startled by something, their wings glowed in the sunbeams streaming through them! An unforgetible experience, captured on film and then in paint!<br />
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How delighted was I when this painting 'Huddle of Doves' won the SASA annual Eleanor Palmer Trophy of the year, voted by its members at our final meeting of the year ! This is the 3rd time I have won this prestigious trophy - 2004, 2009, and now 2012.<br />
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<br />Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-7649799558713993302012-10-31T15:26:00.000+02:002013-02-28T10:02:34.719+02:00'English Summer' has found a new home'English Summer' has found a most wonderful new home! One of the South African Art Society (SASA) patrons, and a great South African artist himself, Sam Nhlengethwa, has bought one of my recent SASA annual exhibition paintings for his very own collection! What an honour for me!<br />
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Sam has a highly prestigious collection of art works in his Joburg home and he sometimes even opens his home for public viewings. He was in Cape Town as the honorable guest who opened the annual SASA exhibition on 1 October 2012, and to award and honour the SASA winners.<br />
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"You again?" said Sam as I came up to receive my third award for the evening!<br />
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"Yes, you hug so well," said I.<br />
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My trophy-winning Best Oil at the SASA annual - 'Three Beauties' - was sold on the opening night, and before Sam returned to Joburg he went back to Kirstenbosch to buy my 'English Summer' painting because he said that he had dreamt about the bicycles for two days!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45hPfPUzs5LLcFAIjIPYOn0beJl_eYMzcB_iXj643ufmrga9pcGrv3-ZHFS-ea1xVOTjl31A1j0LIXi-s26VYU-hE-qVDJHTarr9C3XdVXbmOMpOFcajDqkfBskj1tjlK2XEIxjM7EH0/s1600/Mom_Brighton+bicycles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45hPfPUzs5LLcFAIjIPYOn0beJl_eYMzcB_iXj643ufmrga9pcGrv3-ZHFS-ea1xVOTjl31A1j0LIXi-s26VYU-hE-qVDJHTarr9C3XdVXbmOMpOFcajDqkfBskj1tjlK2XEIxjM7EH0/s320/Mom_Brighton+bicycles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I painted it in oils from a photograph I took on a gorgeous summer's day in England whilst daytripping down to Brighton with my family.<br />
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May my paintings bring great joy to their new owners!<br />
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Thank you!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-72973063295673701152012-08-05T12:43:00.000+02:002012-08-20T09:58:19.998+02:00To my delightIt was a cold stormy Sunday when the annual selection day took place for the South African Society of Artists (SASA). Selection day is in advance of the prestigious SASA Annual Exhibition starting 1 October 2012.<br />
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Criteria for selection are strict and selection day proved a nail-biting affair with acclaimed external judges this year who had the task of scoring nearly 500 entries. Every painting is judged by three judges, each providing a score out of four, with a total for each painting out of 12. To get into the annual exhibition you need a minimum of 8 out of 12</div>
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I entered three artworks, all in the oil category, and all three made it into the SASA Annual! Approximately 200 artworks made the cut for this upcoming exhibition. </div>
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In addition to being selected for the exhibition, overall prizes are also given out for best in various categories. Prize winning artworks are selected from the pieces receiving 10 or above. In the category of oils there were 49 oils with 10 and above, in comparison to only 10 in the category of acrylics.</div>
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Imagine my excitement to discover that not only had I scored a 12/12 for one of my paintings, but that I had also won the Best Oil for my '3 beauties' - two Nguni cows and a fat lady on a beach in the Transkei.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOIiSCCyo3FZ2yJsalvSFpXW_dcItOAsJNHUE3B4JD5VnWxXooXjFTZVHD5oP71fciahY5Z-BKxj7TXOTkTWsncxbFTizrWNlfyES3165lakzycNMxoHqamYlMVw98b0flAMiFqlRtME/s1600/Mom_3+beauties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOIiSCCyo3FZ2yJsalvSFpXW_dcItOAsJNHUE3B4JD5VnWxXooXjFTZVHD5oP71fciahY5Z-BKxj7TXOTkTWsncxbFTizrWNlfyES3165lakzycNMxoHqamYlMVw98b0flAMiFqlRtME/s320/Mom_3+beauties.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'3 beauties' oil on canvas (Best Oil 2012 SASA Annual)</td></tr>
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I also received a highly commended for 'English summer' for my bicycles and umbrella scene on Brighton beach, and a commended for my 'Foggy Day', a plein air painting of Table Bay.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'English summer' oil on canvas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3FOQRrvL6wq9_RA5cVBk4N52-rSQeustIPmbF7sUIhUMK9npZp7WlTx9pxJcOVdL8rrYb_4XnhaJIHvZq9hWO3zBWjFwdRr423IIjb1Z64r9iVTBoHJRuw78hJYN237NrMQ6c92XGqg/s1600/Mom_harbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3FOQRrvL6wq9_RA5cVBk4N52-rSQeustIPmbF7sUIhUMK9npZp7WlTx9pxJcOVdL8rrYb_4XnhaJIHvZq9hWO3zBWjFwdRr423IIjb1Z64r9iVTBoHJRuw78hJYN237NrMQ6c92XGqg/s320/Mom_harbour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Foggy day' plein air oil on canvas</td></tr>
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I was particularly chuffed to have won the top prize for my oils as it gives me additional gravitas amongst my amazing oils for beginners class which I teach on a Thursday.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-55890447738783126652012-07-25T12:20:00.000+02:002012-08-19T12:44:11.638+02:00Plein air blissAn Indian summer on a Cape winter's morning on the slopes of Table Mountain, looking towards the docks at the V&A Waterfront. What a subject for a painting!<br />
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A golden thread of light zigzagged across the bay towards Milnerton as the mist snaked through the town below. All in tones of blue, grey and creamy foggy beiges. As I painted furiously to capture that moment in time, the real life fun began.<br />
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Not long after, the 'My Top Billing Dream' TV crew arrived in our empty car park to film for the next week's episode. Five wanna-be Top Billing presenters were remaining out of the top ten, and they were all ready for action to be filmed for a mountain biking insert on Table Mountain! Lucky me getting a real live, interactive sneak peak of the upcoming programme!<br />
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As an avid watcher of Top Billing, and having followed the 'My Top Billing Dream' every Tuesday, it was such a thrill for me to hug Lauren, my original favourite in the competition. And to think I was hugging her the day before she jetted off to Australia to interview the one and only American music teen sensation Justin Bieber. Only last night she won this amazing opportunity as a prize for her on-the-spot interview when she interviewed 'Sechaba' from Isindingo while on a ferris wheel at Gold Reef City. Each of the contestants had to interview an actor from the SA soapie Isindingo (another favourite in our household!) and hers was voted the best, resulting in a flight to Australia to find out more about Bieber-mania!<br />
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I also met - and hugged - the other four finalists and watched the filming as some fell of their bikes and ad-libbed about the experience! Plein air painting is never dull! It captures a small slice of life using all your senses and gives one a heart flutter of amazing memories and fun!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-8723234344288211112011-10-23T21:46:00.001+02:002012-08-19T12:50:57.211+02:00Life is full of surprises<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvJlPvHjaZvKG2rT8fbtGzvMfbyfztJ6jmkyuee_0cW7Q70By5aOKcHjW6iyi6uytPib0KKp9n5bBTbg98C5yqbv4yJQNSzo3aYL-vkE_6VyQm3oIETcqKaCLX-NX0c4Z97TI_y9vkh8/s1600/P1270335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvJlPvHjaZvKG2rT8fbtGzvMfbyfztJ6jmkyuee_0cW7Q70By5aOKcHjW6iyi6uytPib0KKp9n5bBTbg98C5yqbv4yJQNSzo3aYL-vkE_6VyQm3oIETcqKaCLX-NX0c4Z97TI_y9vkh8/s320/P1270335.JPG" width="240" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Such a wonderful story in my art class on Thursday!</span><br />
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One of my oil painting pupils has just returned from an overseas holiday on the continent! Sitting in her friend's home in Zurich, Jane admired a painting on the wall of an Nguni cow! </span><br />
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Going closer to admire the brushstrokes, she discovered it was mine, painted by her very own art teacher! What are the chances - a true God incidence and blessing! The world is a very small place!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">PS. This painting, which won the coveted Eleanor Palmer trophy in 2009, was bought from an exhibition at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town.</span>Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-24044118880596957112011-09-09T17:52:00.003+02:002012-08-19T12:59:34.157+02:00Spring awakening <div style="text-align: right;">
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August is like spring in our art calender, an awakening after winter! The Constantiaberg Art Society (CAS) AGM, competitions and our SASA Annual Selection day for SASA Annual Exhibition 2011.<br />
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The latter was very nerve wracking! 458 art pieces from 163 artists brought before a panel of three proficient judges, Natalie Hircshmann (artist and teacher), Derric van Rensburg (watercolour, acryllic and abstract painter) and Andrew Lambrechts (University art lecturer).<br />
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It was a wonderful surprise to be honoured with a highly commended for 'On line', my risky oil painting of irises on a washing line with golden pegs! This was a big step of faith for me into intuitive painting, painting what the canvas suggests once one has textured it. I loved the process!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On line (oil)</td></tr>
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It all began after a wonderful two and a half day workshop in Hermanus with Shelley Adams. Its good to test the waters and stretch one's mind and talent!<br />
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And my 'Dash in the rain' pastel won a commended on the same selection day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dash in the rain (pastel)</td></tr>
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Thursday 25 August, was another good night at the SASA Annual Life and Landscape competition, winning a 3rd with a very busy painting of the bustle down at Kalkbay harbour, called 'Kalky's'. This was painted on site en plein air over two weeks. Sunshine on my back, seagulls calling, fishing boats coming in and out, a quayside full of freshly caught fish - two Red Snappers became a delicious dinner cooked by my husband Brian with champagne mustard sauce over it! The best! Fresh from the sea!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1OZ9Qenf1rYomLJ_OCuPiAJZsCPntx7FqPBMgihfw6CzlRF2qP1IIqljNYoCQnNw_6FgWSNVkvDEMSPO-XN5EYPT1tjs3RZLuiVFKMa00qJavGWb3VHgXK_ihkrOm83TqBmK4ux_tmY/s1600/P1380824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1OZ9Qenf1rYomLJ_OCuPiAJZsCPntx7FqPBMgihfw6CzlRF2qP1IIqljNYoCQnNw_6FgWSNVkvDEMSPO-XN5EYPT1tjs3RZLuiVFKMa00qJavGWb3VHgXK_ihkrOm83TqBmK4ux_tmY/s320/P1380824.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalky's (oil)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At a different art society, at the CAS AGM on 30 August, I won a gold (1st) for the oil category. The topic was 'Blue' with orchids in blue vase.<br />
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It was a good month indeed!Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-87532962265775461592011-02-09T15:42:00.014+02:002011-02-14T22:46:45.143+02:00Monet's yellow kitchenMonet's yellow kitchen has been the inspiration to a Scottish couple's new kitchen in the house they're building in Evian, Switzerland. And for her decor and design, and being a keen gardener as well, Kathleen Davidson wanted flowers in yellows and blues to add to her Monet-inspired walls!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHmNNvbqKp_UPvQ7BWt5e-FiASnCtwRr4m56oLg21RM9LIAwAgZQjN3Apa1kdYb0GorLlmzr3xsQVfCTQMLAIjvQYZUtUTpGDVahc4Dce0q6cMfMasA5vAeNJ-SIxZz2xY8ZDF1k2tGU/s1600/P1340503+-+Copy.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571685731959938354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAHmNNvbqKp_UPvQ7BWt5e-FiASnCtwRr4m56oLg21RM9LIAwAgZQjN3Apa1kdYb0GorLlmzr3xsQVfCTQMLAIjvQYZUtUTpGDVahc4Dce0q6cMfMasA5vAeNJ-SIxZz2xY8ZDF1k2tGU/s200/P1340503+-+Copy.JPG" style="float: right; height: 198px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 200px;" /></a>Imagine my delight when she chose my three 30x30cm square oils and one of my watercolours...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKDeKNmUoBdme5MDP6EIwmzA_gRh-kDkGKzdbH57BojihXnb9wt_1GvT86sgGC7t-l3vbgZLoB9nfxp_-Yd4XTWT9IpFFOaEFyNYr0kCFUVH5Na9M7hkLg9fT7N0v1fRUePe5XXeqVPU/s1600/P1340502+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571685945701796082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKDeKNmUoBdme5MDP6EIwmzA_gRh-kDkGKzdbH57BojihXnb9wt_1GvT86sgGC7t-l3vbgZLoB9nfxp_-Yd4XTWT9IpFFOaEFyNYr0kCFUVH5Na9M7hkLg9fT7N0v1fRUePe5XXeqVPU/s200/P1340502+-+Copy.JPG" style="height: 200px; margin-top: 0px; width: 199px;" /></a>She bought my blue Agapantha head, plus a matching white Agapantha and an artichoke flower in purple which she says remind her of the thistles in Scotland!<br />
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She also chose a large energy-filled wild watercolour of two sunflowers! So a collection of four of my artworks in yellow and blue will be very at home on her new walls in Switzerland!<br />
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What a blessed day of selling four paintings at our Constantia Art Society summer exhibition at Kirstenbosch, Cape Town - and all four were painted with energy and passion from beautiful living specimens!Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-29276891882579083592011-02-03T15:41:00.001+02:002011-02-14T23:01:25.963+02:00Watercolour magic - Hazel Soan style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvxy4OpouFAW_FIxBaPWvo6v3g6LKvu2fqX38DEqfEA79KYllzZ7zB-KaqLBLb19sE6g3DESm8MLJi74btFF7eUIAM1ZmylOLzyYOZOkGqO3LDhFo4c8G2qWbD42mK3cm1LdAxLzyFiA/s1600/P1340432+-+Copy.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571043111597312994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvxy4OpouFAW_FIxBaPWvo6v3g6LKvu2fqX38DEqfEA79KYllzZ7zB-KaqLBLb19sE6g3DESm8MLJi74btFF7eUIAM1ZmylOLzyYOZOkGqO3LDhFo4c8G2qWbD42mK3cm1LdAxLzyFiA/s400/P1340432+-+Copy.JPG" style="height: 300px; width: 400px;" /></a></div><br />
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Hazel Soan enthusiastically sprinkled her magic passion for watercolour on a very blessed workshop group held in her new studio at the Oceangolf Guest House in Noordhoek on Saturday 15 January 2011.<br />
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To watch this internationally acclaimed English artist at work was pure delight, as she shared many technical gems with us - a translucent hibiscus and ellies that glowed in the sun. We too had a go and individual problem-solving time helped many pennies to drop - real aha moments!<br />
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An honour and privilege to be in her space! We were also spoilt rotten at a grand buffet lunch served on the patio with the aqua Noordhoek sea crashing on to the beach in the distance - what a highlight of 2011. Memories are made of this!<br />
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<div>Hazel has authored many watercolour books - one on safari through Africa, painting animals and scenery as she went, entitled "African Watercolours" and one on flowers called "10 minute watercolours" - as well as DVDs! A talent shared! Thank you Hazel!</div><div><br />
I was thrilled with my sunlight elephant painted from a photo in only three colours!<br />
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</div></div>Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-2970869365746007372010-12-02T22:39:00.000+02:002011-01-05T10:10:17.160+02:00Class of 2010!Today was the grand finale of another year teaching 'Oil painting for beginners' to 10 amazing ladies who have embraced the skills, tools, insights and 'secrets' of oil painting with passion - and made it their own, retaining their uniqueness and energy!<br />
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Happy/sad day, launching the eaglets from the comfortable nest, to fly and catch the thermals, to greater heights - my third year of teaching, encouraging and facilitating.<br />
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What a superb lunch and bubbly they spoilt me with! Lucky me!Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-21348961617358027692010-11-26T13:26:00.000+02:002010-11-26T14:02:18.416+02:00Away in Arniston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4YvUkXu6SwJ67k-ZIQKPI86zDGH_MHbkNj_jd6QaZzsYFECWOvuXAW-cCcJeBV4rHHizAOXAkXWKSigjrVXayONj2CFE_rQ6TNNbJkI-Mqjy0_7dGW576GMCcNNNHAaZQGTtjJt_4_Y/s1600/P1330941.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543826796067691330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4YvUkXu6SwJ67k-ZIQKPI86zDGH_MHbkNj_jd6QaZzsYFECWOvuXAW-cCcJeBV4rHHizAOXAkXWKSigjrVXayONj2CFE_rQ6TNNbJkI-Mqjy0_7dGW576GMCcNNNHAaZQGTtjJt_4_Y/s320/P1330941.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br />Work was never like this - a 7 day 'business trip' to the idyllic town of Arniston - 211km from Cape Town, through rolling hills of cream coloured harvested wheat fields set against mauve stormy skies. And arriving at the seaside, there were aqua seas to take your breath away!<br /><br />So much to paint - small thatched fishing cottages where the local fishing community live. Dogs, cats and darling children dressed in bright pinks, greens and orange (even Netherlands soccer shirt!), riding bikes, playing soccer or swimming - being children. </div><br /><div>The working fishing harbour is always a buzz with boats coming and going, bringing in their catches of shark, Stompnose or Red Romans. Yellow, green and orange oilskins reflect in the wet slipway, while winches pull the boats up to their resting places in the harbour. </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ILREbf_n43Z445rtvtRncg1HTfdaCfncQz3rK6XP0Thqf1RXV3AeCmzLnXwmtSjPTAGvuM7Y6-XqF-r9GS8c3m02G45jS2o82fJTwYMbKlZ1ko4Z2eWRqkZmhoYXJH-_fuUn728BuR0/s1600/P1330940.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543825321318146418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ILREbf_n43Z445rtvtRncg1HTfdaCfncQz3rK6XP0Thqf1RXV3AeCmzLnXwmtSjPTAGvuM7Y6-XqF-r9GS8c3m02G45jS2o82fJTwYMbKlZ1ko4Z2eWRqkZmhoYXJH-_fuUn728BuR0/s320/P1330940.JPG" /></a></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>To capture these colourful moments in time is a challenge indeed - having wind, changing sunshine and boats going out to sea as you try to paint them in the natural daylight as they exist! But it is all worth the adventure - to lose oneself in one's passion of painting, yet gaining an insight into other people's lives!<br /><br />The Impressionists did it, I know why there were hooked on it - and so am I! Plein air painting at its best!<br /><br />Some of my paintings of Arniston's seaside life are already hung in a new gallery space in Bredasdorp, not far from Arniston. Run by Zoon Jacobs, the Bredasdorp Square Gallery is in Bredasdorp. And what an opening that was in March 2010 - my first introduction to high coffee... Italian ice-cream in fab Italian coffee. Mmmm!<br /><br />Holidays are a joy for all one's senses - swimming, dining in style, comraderie and topping up one's spiritual tanks! </div>Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-34450620134687054442010-11-15T08:39:00.000+02:002010-11-16T16:07:18.623+02:00Gone fishing... (well, painting!)Its a gorgeous day in Cape Town - one of those still, perfect and and peaceful mornings where the sky is bright blue and the silence indicates the heat of the day ahead! Apparently we're expecting 33 degrees! Seems summer has arrived at last!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7BRuxLLf19JW7RnefmNPYaX9YcL3zOaEqkZl13f5won1bv2GMjj-lKZWRzN9ZwhoWOMzKM19h_cVpH1f3XlTBvQ3ah8B8wW-Pi1mWIVoLvGJn6pwucFXP7Rvy1VZqadY7GwH74skbVY/s1600/P1110600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7BRuxLLf19JW7RnefmNPYaX9YcL3zOaEqkZl13f5won1bv2GMjj-lKZWRzN9ZwhoWOMzKM19h_cVpH1f3XlTBvQ3ah8B8wW-Pi1mWIVoLvGJn6pwucFXP7Rvy1VZqadY7GwH74skbVY/s320/P1110600.JPG" width="240" /></a>And I'm headed up the coast, beyond the well-known whale haven of Hermanus, to another fishing town - Arniston!<br />
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For a whole week, a group of the girls will be painting by day and nattering by night! From harbours and boats to houses and mountains, the natural scenery abounds and so too, I hope, will the art!<br />
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To the right is one of the plein air paintings I did on our last Arniston trip! So until I return, sending you all some of Cape Town's glorious sunshine and a dash of inspiration for me!<br />
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Arniston here we come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-60069786321736756192010-08-17T21:47:00.000+02:002010-11-16T16:15:18.155+02:00Early morning hair washing caught at V&A Waterfront...They say a picture paints a thousand words... and they also say that the only thing better than word of mouth when it comes to marketing one's creations is for someone to experience it for themselves. As a Brit now living in Mossel Bay, it was one of my oils of London's old style Route Master bus that got his attention. But it was a painting of Cape Town's most iconic and impressive view which he most desired, and commissioned!<br />
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A view of Table Mountain from the Waterfront was requested, and so a photo shoot was required. While I mostly paint plein air (outside, in the elements, and with the natural light), there are some occasions where I will first take a photo and work from that! But I will always ensure that it is my own photo, my own artistic viewpoint and angle!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFA3RuCKiLXCQfDFURjuR2EesfqG48bdaDI7J2K8XQIYdENtybivFMvClANMLPFWE3L0WfCsnMlQHQ-LN0VF4ewSbLsD6rxPQyo_TjidZM4a8pCTnhfgtzHUPx4jgOWok9Dx2lmr6kIo/s1600/P1310916.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506470378690309346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFA3RuCKiLXCQfDFURjuR2EesfqG48bdaDI7J2K8XQIYdENtybivFMvClANMLPFWE3L0WfCsnMlQHQ-LN0VF4ewSbLsD6rxPQyo_TjidZM4a8pCTnhfgtzHUPx4jgOWok9Dx2lmr6kIo/s320/P1310916.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a>On a chilly June winter's morning, we headed off on a 'business trip' to the V&A Waterfront, arriving at 7am to capture the morning light! Not only did we capture the first light of the day, but I also managed to snap this shot of a local resident using a tap to wash his hair!<br />
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Using the structure of the photo I built layers of oils over the following weeks, allowing our beloved mountain to take shape and be born as it is today!<br />
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I also ad lib'ed with some more exotic sea to add a sweeping effect to draw you into the painting... and of course the ultimate approval has to come from the client, so in his marvellous Mancunian accent he delighted at how he was over the moon! He had it framed himself and said how happy he was to have collected the final framed mountain in the Mother City on his birthday!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0povjt_zbzDwf8AvODxGIxKoyOET1CTsYPmGymlXxPov5uKablogBKjLVen-Tyk8ftF51J5aijq_Ky83-l04YjXLnm_bXMDY3jVzvS6bdE6iHmP_gppfHoSgYvrhDrkJjE3hbVVTqxg/s1600/waterfront+watercolour.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524279337483122370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0povjt_zbzDwf8AvODxGIxKoyOET1CTsYPmGymlXxPov5uKablogBKjLVen-Tyk8ftF51J5aijq_Ky83-l04YjXLnm_bXMDY3jVzvS6bdE6iHmP_gppfHoSgYvrhDrkJjE3hbVVTqxg/s400/waterfront+watercolour.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 249px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Lyn Northamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10763675409473855359noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5540844631374526731.post-22986005899465580772010-08-17T20:58:00.000+02:002010-10-04T21:25:18.282+02:00Why I wear a flower behind my ear...If I had my life to live over,<br /> I'd try to make more mistakes next time.<br /> I would relax. I would limber up.<br /> I would be sillier than I have on this trip.<br /> I would be crazier. I would be less hygienic.<br /> I would take more chances, I would take more trips.<br /> I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, <br /> and watch more sunsets.<br />I would burn more gasoline. I would eat more ice cream and less beans.<br /> I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.<br /> You see, I am one of those people who lives<br /> prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, <br /> hour after hour, day after day.<br /><br /> Oh, I have had my moments<br /> And if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.<br /> In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. <br /> Just moments,one after another.<br /> Instead of living so many years ahead each day.<br /> I have been one of those people who never go anywhere<br /> without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a<br /> raincoat, and a parachute.<br /><br /> If I had to do it over again, I would go places and do things.<br /> I'd travel lighter than I have.<br /> If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted<br /> earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.<br /> I would play hooky more. I wouldn't make such good grades<br /> except by accident.<br /> I would ride on merry-go-rounds.<br /><br /> I'd pick more daisies!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0