Artist- Bev Letard, Umhlanga,KZN

Bev has been hard at work, not that it's unusual behaviour for Bev who loves to continuously explore the various media available....
However ,this time, she has solely focussed and submitted watercolours in soft, gentle hues - as seen in Orchid Delight (top- 610mm x 470mm,unframed) and Reflections on the Pond (570mm x 420mm, excluding the mountboards & Frame), a study of waterlilies .

Way back in July 2008 , Bev's first post to the site was made - her magnificent watercolours created by the masterful application of paint and water on paper , create a flow, an Harmonious Movement (750 x 520mm unframed) -here, Bev's primary subject, the koi, depict just that!!

Artist - Veronica (Ronnie) Huber, DURBAN

I was on a 'seeking Nguni' trail that led me to my first time meeting with Ronnie. I was immediately transported into another world as I walked past and absorbed painting after painting in her 'art filled' and charming home.

Though subject matters are diversified - attention to detail and intensity of mood are intrinsic to each piece!!

As this is the first time for Ronnie's work to be posted onto this site - I asked her for a little background:

"Bloemfontein born Ronnie Huber moved to Durban in 1970 and has always exhibited a passion for the arts. Coming to painting via ceramics, she explores form, colour and texture. Though her first love remains oil on canvas, she also enjoys pastels and life drawing under the guidance of prominent local artists Deanne Donaldson and Pascale Chandler. Working from her Glenwood home studio, her broad appreciation of music, a love of the environment and the magic of light inspire her and are reflected in her work. She explores a wide range of subjects including still life,landscapes,human form and informal portraiture. Her work appears locally and in international homes"

The larger piece (oil on canvas -800mm x 1100mm) shown at the top of this post, depicts such an incredible strength of character - to quote the title - a true Celebration of Nguni - indeed!!

The smaller pieces (oil on canvas - 500mm x 500mm) are all part of a charming ongoing series of Nguni - the demand being greater than the supply!!....no need to explain!!

Watch this space for more of Ronnie's work!!

Ilma Matthews - Durban North

Ilma's choice of subject matter , style and choice of subtle hues reflects an inner peace and tranquility......calm waters, moored boats.....an unhurried approach....


Zanzibar - oil (920mm x 760mm) is one such painting that takes you on a journey...


So too, Moored...and waiting - also an oil (760mm x 1020mm) which sets one wondering about the blue yonder...the distant horizon

Jeanette Edwards - Durban North

Jeanette has submitted a painting due to go on exhibition at the La Lucia Mall this month - Dogs at Dawn (570mm x 380mm) - a watercolour of wild dogs, created and painted with attention to detail - their inquisitive nature has been so beautifully captured !!

Artist: Maureen Lesser - Umdloti

Maureen is a newcomer to the site; but not to the world of arts and craft..... I asked her to provide a little background info:-


(Green Point Lighthouse -Cape-1824)

Born in Johannesburg where I lived and worked until my relocation to KZN in 2002.

I enjoy my craft making, and try to make items that are useful and nice to have, rather than ornamental.

My main interest as far as painting goes, lies in charcoal sketching. I attended The Johannesburg Art Foundation

for 2 years, where I developed the interest in and use of charcoal.

I am also keen on digital photography.

(Umhlanga Lighthouse - 1954)

Maureen is an artist that enjoys persuing varied and creatively challenging avenues, hence her newest venture - 3Dimensional models, of South Africa's most popular Lighthouses, which are molded by hand and painted in acrylic....very charming collector's pieces!!

The framed lighthouses are 210mm x 170mm - a good size for hanging a series of lighthouses!!

This is just the start of Maureen's 3D project though, as she intends to work on a series of Zulu ,and other, huts.

We look forward to an update...watch this space!!







Cape Agulhas











Umhlanga, KZN

Mike Nel, Durban

Mike Nel has been working on a series of paintings, Africa Overloaded, for the past 3 months. He has been incredibly successful with some 40 odd sales of the works which range in size from 300mm x 300mm to 600mm x 600mm ....it's not difficult to see why...

They are bold in colour and style, epitomising Africa, its' people and the life lived in a happy, humourous manner ....They are so very typical of all that we see; but seldom does an artist manage to capture the images with such verve!!

Herewith a number of images sure to bring a smile to your dial....

- Mike's Zebra Studies.....reflect a more serious side of his painting

Marlene Dickerson, La Lucia

Marlene has a way of capturing tangible 'life' within her paintings - light and shadows dance and create depth in a breathtaking manner....for example - Incoming tide , a smaller than usual painting for Marlene (12x10inches)....but with a magnitude of drama that belies its size!!



Not given to painting just the ordinary - Marlene approaches regular subjects with an extraordinary flair...consider her work : Drakensberg 1 - an array of colourful hues, effectively reflecting the majesty of the range!


A Wildebeest Party is an oil that was on show at the last exhibition ; but oh so worthy of another preview...that and the fact that it works so well with another of her works - Zebra Stampede ....both beautiful studies of the animal form in the wild!!

Shena MacDonald, Durban

Shena is one of those artist's with courage- venturing into unknown territories and stretching those artistic abilities with incredible results!!!
This, the first and not the last (I'm sure) of Shena's Nguni's - This oil is of a majestic, regal looking animal (1500mm x 1000mm).
This colouring seems to depict that of the"Locust - qhwagi (i(li)qhwagi/amaqhwagi[rob,plunder] A black or red beast with white on the back or face. Beasts described as having this colour pattern were frequently observed in the field. They were moststly red and white and quite heavily mottled."

" The sight of a herd of Nguni cattle at pasture - their multiple patterns and colours, the delicacy of the cows, the fine,strong conformation of the bulls, the strength of horned oxen - is a sight that has entranced pastoralists for thousands of years. It is a sight that has given rise to a complex and aesthetically rich naming practice and has inspired vivid imagery in praise poetry and many other forms of the oral art. Cattle are celebrated abundantly by the Zulu people in daily life - for their beauty, their fecundity, their value in social exchange, and their presence as mediators at the threshold between man and his ancestral shades'
- THE ABUNDANT HERDS - A CELEBRATION OF THE NGUNI CATTLE OF THE ZULU PEOPLE -Marguerite Poland, David Hammond-Tooke and Leigh Voigt

Another 'out of the box' oil painting submitted by Shena is that of "Indian Dunes" (2500mm x 500mm) - photo to follow..................watch this space!!

A profusion of colour is depicted in Shena's floral oil - St Joseph's Lilies (1200mm x800mm)


Lotus Flowers (1500mm x 1000mm) captures botanical beauty in soft light

Emma Robb,Umdloti

Effervescent Emma has been hard at work, and has submitted several oils, all reflective of her inherent love of nature and colour



Near Warden Freestate - 560mm x 710mm



















A series of Drakensberg oils ( 1; 2 and 3) - 450mm x 600mm
are imbued with harmonious hues of autumnal colour.................

Art & Economics...a continual creative process

It's been awhile since the last post .............the 31st October 2008, to be exact.
Oh, how global economies have taken a tumble in that time.....job losses, International bank & company closures,price hikes........and we, the purveyors of art have not been left unscathed.

Obviously with the tightening of belts, comes reduced spending...particularly on so called luxury items...and it is into this category, that the arts & culture, fall. However, with the most welcome decline in bank rates, there has been a slight upturn in spending..............and I am pleased to say that business is, for the first time in six months, experiencing an upward trend!

Framing aside, there has been a surge of enquiries for original art and this has led me to approach local artists,before the next planned exhibition (early May '09), for new work to put on the blog.

The response has been overwhelming to say the least.....in the midst of all the economic crises, the creative instinct within artists has not experienced a recession at all...there, in fact, appears to be a renaissance happening......................new work, new styles,new,new,new - many seem to be on the path of fresh awakening and a delightful, fresh creative atmosphere abounds!!

The concept of renaissance, a rebirth, a reawakening.....is intriguing....I've been doing a little research on the subject, with the next exhibition in mind.Here I must give credit to Marlene Dickerson for her idea on The Age of Antiquity.....I relish the thought of paintings that may transpire when due thought is given to the style and subject of the Master's......Michaelangelo, Velasquez, Rafael, da Vinci......................not copies; but concepts!!

These quotes from the Wikipedia site on the subject of Renaissance:

As a cultural movement, it encompassed a revival of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform. Traditionally, this intellectual transformation has resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the Modern era. Although the Renaissance saw revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, as well as social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who inspired the term "Renaissance man".^[2][3];

^and

The Renaissance was so called because it was a "rebirth" of certain classical ideas that had long been lost to Western Europe. It has been argued that the fuel for this rebirth was the rediscovery of ancient texts that had been forgotten by Western civilization,

One wonders with all that the world is going through.....is it not time for another 'renaissance'?...a rethink on that which has been lost?!!

Economically speaking - I subscribe to the Hong Kong Trader, the latest newsletter (4th March) is worth a read - it certainly addressed my concerns about having another exhibition during these tough times...this is what some of the experts have to say:

Vincent Tse, Managing Director of Hong Kong's Brand Compass Marketing Communication Ltd.

"In times like these you can always find a new opportunity. You need to maintain your spirit and the quality of your brand and products.Spirit is important. People always turn to something good in tough situations, and they will support you."

Dr Sherriff Luk, Director of the Asian Centre for Brand Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

"You actually need to invest in your brand," Dr Luk said. "We always suggest a strong brand must be able to establish an emotional connection with the target audience......you can also take that a step further and build a living brand, one that becomes part of the customer's life" He added that in order for this to take place - one needed to work creatively....and this takes courage

They could be talking about art....don't you think??
But enough about the artists...
This note (again from Wikipedia)

It has long been a matter of debate why the Renaissance began in Florence, and not elsewhere in Italy. Scholars have noted several features unique to Florentine cultural life which may have caused such a cultural movement. Many have emphasized the role played by the Medici family in patronizing and stimulating the arts.

To our patrons - we salute you and thank you - we look forward to your continued support!!!

That said, it gives me great pleasure to showcase some of the artists' and their work!!
All work shown on this blog is for sale and commissions are also taken.
Prices are on request
ALL enquiries are welcome!!