ARTIST: Michael Ralfe,Umdloti-KZN

New to the SmART ART EXHIBITION and to the blog is Umdloti based artist, Michael Ralfe.
Although, pastels are Michaels' first love - he does not shy away from using other media and will be submitting an acrylic posted above - Homebound - a fresh and simple scene of Nguni and Herders.



Zulu Lady, a pastel - a little difficult to photograph for the purposes of the blog as it has been mounted and framed behind glass

........nontheless this in no way detracts from the regal pose that Michael has captured.

Michael's choice of subjects concurs with the answer he gave me when I asked why he paints what he paints.......
" I am an ex farmer and am passionate about our beautiful environment.." - think that sums it up well!!

Still to be posted - Elephant Advance, a pastel which will also be on exhibit.

ARTIST: Jean Scott, South Coast-KZN

Jean's watercolours are embued with the romance of days gone by...whimsical, soft and gentle . She will be exhibiting 2 watercolours this time round - Yellow Roses - a classic touch and Mod Flowers - colourful and free.
















Jean is as at home painting in oils as in watercolour - to see more of this talented artists' work -go to: www.wippawool.com

Artist: Shena MacDonald-Glenwood KZN

Most of Shena's paintings that have been exhibited on the past SmArt exhibitions have all been immediately identifiable by the fine attention to details on Silver Teapots,Teacups, Lace and all things light and fanciful......





and we will have a few of those this time too - however there's a stark contrast to all that in her very appealing Trading Store oil - a tropical outpost of sorts...

Artist: Dinky Jacob-Umhlanga KZN

Dinky's back - all awash with colour and splendour.......you'll have to pardon the pun....with :Umhlanga Rocks Lighthouse; Tropical Paradise and Warm Splendour being her latest acrylics to go on.....

it's so very evident that colour and fun are very important aspects of Dinky's life!!

ARTIST:Sally Spaull,Morningside-KZN

An enthusiastic and multi-faceted artist, Sally's style and subject choice is ever evolving!!

Tenacious at most everything she does, not many a day goes by that she won't be found at work on yet another canvas!!

Not given to painting what's fashionable; but rather to what she loves to paint is what leads to the interesting collection of oils that will be on exhibit...............it's an easy way to find out what really makes Sally tick....just look at the subject matter...........all things bright & beautiful!!

ARTIST: Maureen Swanepoel,Durban North-KZN

A classic approach best describes Maureen's style when painting oils . This is evident in the works going on exhibit - "Blue Rythm "- a lovely almost textured seascape - (top photo) and this one above "Roses in Basket" to the right has been framed with a mount and is behind glass.

Another which bears tesimony to her style is 'Symphony in Yellow"
- the partner to this "Pink Promise " was still in the finishing stages at the time of this post; but promises to be as engaging.....

Artist: Tina Adali, Umhlanga-KZN

Another artist new to the SmART ART blog and exhibitions, Tina brings a touch of all things colourful and fun!!











An unabashed and confident approach to all things is certainly one of Tina's qualities!!Grecian urns, Provence and Muizenberg - all oils - will be on exhibit............

ARTIST-Trish Lang, Ballito-KZN

So good to have Trish back on board - and she's been making some changes!!.It's a fresh approach, a cleaner palette for the botanical look ....and then something different again - a very bold canvas with Zebra!!

Artist: Juliette Gjersoe,Westville-KZN

New to SmART ART - but in no way new to the world of art, I am delighted at having several of Juliette's work on show


Bold strokes, awash with colour and an almost tangible texture - Juliette's paintings are voluminous!!..............a single painting has the ability to fill a wall!!

A little of Juliette's background reveals all, particularly with regard to her choice of colour.....she was educated in England and studied stained glass and mosaic at Kingston School of Art- Voila!!





Juliette worked at maltese textiles, Malta, co-ordinating colours and yarns for export markets. She also lived in Ceylon and studied work with Batik's. When she came over to SA in '74, Juliette became a fashion buyer for a major chain store.

She moved onto designing and styling garments out of India for all major chain stores in SA.

Juliette has been sketching and painting all her life and collects ideas from her overseas travels...........

Artist:Justin Mashore-Redhill -KZN

Now resident in KZN, Justin was born in Harare, Zimbabwe. He has been involved in the world of art since early, and more particularly, secondary schooldays where he was an active member of the art club.


Justin was mentored in Zimbabwe by a German woman, Else Noy, who developed and taught a concept of art known as WEYA ART from which he has fashioned his unique style.He went on to exhibit work at Elephant's Walk Tribal Art Gallery ; Jairos Jiri Gallery and Nyaminyami Gallery - all based in Zimbabwe.

Currently, Justin exhibits his work at the Essenwood Craft Market and the KZNSA Gallery, Durban..................and now SmART ART in Durban North!!

The work posted above "Durban Street Life " is an example of the vibrant, yet detailed and almost story-like work that Justin loves to capture on canvas!!

Artist: Barbyra Smith, Umhlanga KZN

One of Barbyra's forte's in oils are nudes and I am very excited about her new painting which will be on exhibit ............ it's an embodiment of subtlety......the beauty of the human form - "Nude"



Also on exhibit , "Centre - Iris" an explosion of colour..

ARTIST:Maddy Finlay,Amanzimtoti -KZN

Maddy's been painting for several years now and although she enjoys experimenting in various mediums, Maddy is most happy when using oils.............more than likely as a result of her dab hand at pottery - the similarity of the tactile nature of clay and oils............she's just got to use her fingers!!


As seen on this post, Maddy does not shy away from colour and approaches most of her subjects with boldness!!

ARTIST:Lesley Freeman, Durban North KZN

So pleased to have one of Lesley's pieces on exhibit, especially one of my favourite subjects: Nguni Cattle

ARTIST:-Sharon Goulding, Durban North-KZN

Sharon's back!! - and she's back with paintings that will endear all !! She has an eye for life and all that it holds - Toto I & II were referenced from actual photos that she saw in one of our local newspapers..........


The refreshing and an almost rare innocence is captured in "Girl Blowing Bubbles"



Also on exhibit " Early Morning Flight" is a flurry of pastels..in oil!!

ARTIST -Colleen Barker, Durban North KZN

So very good to have Colleen back on board for the Exhibition!! -


Ever evolving , she is not afraid of change - and there's been a defenite swing change in Colleen's style which is refreshingly evident in the paintings that will be on exhibit.....'Bicycles' - top

"Clouds in Water" ;
"Ethereal" below and "Seascape"

ARTIST: Bev Letard, Umhlanga - KZN

Bev's love of watercolour painting was inspired by her association with a master Chinese artist who has become her mentor and friend. With his encouragement, Bev combines the best artistic elements from the Eastern and Western worlds.

Koi Fish have become her primary subject, enjoying the challenge of capturing the movement of both fish and water

Most of Bev's paintings carry that distinctive oriental flair.....................

ARTIST: Mabel Armitage, La Lucia - KZN

As always, Mabel never ceases to surprise!! Very few artists tackle the subject 'people' quite as relentlessly and creatively as Mabel does...........her paintings speak volumes!!

From - Geisha Girls - a subtle oil of an oft contraversial subject....(to the left), Old Man (below right) and the Oh so dramatic "Black and White"..............they'll all be on the Exhibition!!