Some seriously good REFLECTIONS

And what a wonderful selection the artists of Fish Hoek Art Society submitted for this latest challenge entitled REFLECTIONS. Be they human or visual, we received some lovely work and are sharing it here with you.

John starts the blog with his answers to the challenge. He sent a number of pictures (and you can see more of his work on the FHAS instagram page) which depict various interpretations of the theme.

He doesn't say in which medium they are painted but he did reveal that, during lockdown with curtailed movement, he's been looking at and finding inspiration in a number of works by well known masters. That's a good use of the internet and books. We should all do more of it.

 

 

The one above, right, is a great work John.

Below, Maugie brings a completely different slant on mankind through two acrylic paintings with a message which I quote:

"The reflection in the eye is what God sees in His heart and what we see through our sunglasses is so different and our perspective... Which is not the real picture"

Cynthia has produced a gorgeous and delicate watercolour using the reflections in the water. We are wondering where this is... Scotland? Cape?

Linda takes us to the Norwegian fjords where it is all about reflections in the water. It chills just looking at it. Good use of cool colours!

More water, below,  from Fiona - a pastel this time.

Ann's water colour is also a delicate work. Just love those flapping wings

Marie also tackled a couple of white birds to great effect. This is done in water-based oil.
A delightful work.

Marcelle brings us nearer home with a scene we all recognise in this oil painting created from one of her own photos. Great pic Marcelle.

And while on Fish Hoek beach, we have a different look in acrylic by Fiona.

Ann sent in another watercolour picture of dawn - over False Bay also, perhaps.  Marvellous colours.

Robin takes us travelling again with her vibrant boat scene which I reckon is either Vietnam or China (the flag is a help but not an answer!).

And lastly, another reflective piece in watercolour.

GOING OUT paintings

There are two new dates to remember for members of Fish Hoek Art Society:

1. The challenge REFLECTIONS which should be completed by 21 August 2020

2. The annual Hugh Murdoch competition. 

This yer's subject is THROUGH THE WINDOW and the deadline for reception of art works to Ann (zwets@mweb.co.za) is 26 AUGUST 2020.

To those of you who took up the challenge of painting the theme, GOING OUT, thank you.

Marcelle's complex and supremely colourful painting is entitled the “Tall Man”, and shows this familiar figure known in Kalk Bay. He busks on stilts for hours In the summer, making these sausage balloons for kiddies!  It is done in oil on canvas. 

Marie came up with a wonderfully whimsical painting - and we can see Hangklip clearly in the background - of a figure enjoying a bucolic scene. This could also have been submitted for the REFLECTION theme but we're guessing you have something else on your palette for that!

Ann  brought us a picture of sheer joy - one that must have been played out by millions worldwide when non-family members could get together again. Great interpretation. Watercolour and ??

Below, John interprets the theme by depicting our furry and feathered friends who are entirely oblivious to inclement weather. Are these watercolour John? Love the colours in the ducks!

Maugie is ready to get going.  Dreaming of distant destinations, her suitcases at the door. 

Great interpretation of the theme. She uses acrylics thinly as if they are watercolour.

Ann brings us another view of young people - probably those who were in the most rebellion about the lockdown rules. Like all of us, they are hoping for the dawn of a new, better day.

Great job with the jeans, Ann. Done exclusively in watercolour or are there some ink lines?

And lastly, Fiona uses graphite and coloured pencil to depict a young lady ready to go out of an evening.

Finished your GOING OUT? Now REFLECTIONS is the theme for this challenge

There are a few more days to submit your pictures for GOING OUT. We'll call it the fault of the weather so you can just take a little more time.  Send material by the end of THIS week.

And now REFLECTIONS.

The theme was suggested by John and is open to a huge variety of interpretation.



The illustration above is a real work of art!



There are the tangible reflections seen in a mirror, a window, shiny surfaces, a body of water and there are the intangible ones where one is reflecting on something, pondering on a theme or thought.

Think of still waters; think of Fish Hoek beach at low tide;  rock pools at Kalk Bay; a puddle in the street; a mirror - angled as you wish!








But look into windows as you pass and see a reflected world. (Walk past AP Jones and see the reflections?!).




The subject is wide open to interpretation and is only bound by your own limits.



Go for a walk, observe, maybe snap a cellphone photo, and then get those pencils or colours out and send us your works to noninichols@gmail.com.

Deadline 20 August.

AND DON"T FORGET THE  Hugh Murdoch Trophy competition AT THE END OF THE MONTH!!!

Hazel Soan speaks of the freedom to paint during lockdown

Hazel Soan

It might be frustrating for some to be locked down in Africa, but Hazel Soan is finding it liberating.

 

Hazel is, as you probably know, a very energetic person and has amassed a vast library of photo images over the years, never knowing exactly when - or even if - she might draw on these to create a work. 

Indeed, each year she organises a busy writing schedule with a number of teaching engagements - both in the UK and in destinations some of us can only dream of. 

However, as we all now know, 2020 is different!

The obligation to remain in one place has afforded her the chance to do what she loves most: painting. wildlife in watercolour.

"Painting African wildlife is always hugely life enhancing, but under lockdown, and the wider concerns of climate change, its meaning seems to expand. 

How does a small sheet of painted paper hint at freedom, untainted natural order and even the utter awesomeness of the lifeforms evolved upon our spinning haven, balanced precariously in its journey through space and time? 

Painting, like all the arts, has a powerful role to play, and I find watercolour such a fluid messenger, and so perfect for conveying the ‘innocence' of the unmanmade world - not easy, precarious in itself, but also thrilling and life enhancing…that feeling when you let the brush go, the sense of freedom is immense! 

So here’s to freedom within lockdown, the freedom painting can bestow! 

And if you fancy a virtual safari adventure please visit The Wildlife Collection (link in bio) to see some of my African watercolours currently showing at M1 Fine Art." 

#hazelsoan #watercolour #watercolor#watercolorpainting#watercolourpainting #wildlife#wildlifeart #africa #africanwildlife@m1fineart

Some of you will have photos, or have books with pictures of wildlife. This is the time to practice and make something of your own.