POET: Allen Foyn, Durban

Poetry...on the SmART blog page??? Absolutely!!!
Indeed an awakening.....

A poet's autobiography is his poetry. Anything else is just a footnote. ~Yevgeny Yentushenko, The Sole Survivor, 1982


As an introduction to and an incorporation of, the performing arts, the launching of Allen's book , The Palette of a Pondering Poet, will take place on the night of the opening of the Exhibition, 24th June
There will be a reading of selected poetry relevant to the evening.

An individual, like a finger print is unique, as is their art. The way we see things is likewise, unique. In writing poetry I find a voice for my soul, and when words fail me, I find painting can convey what other mediums cannot. Originally three friends sitting around a table at a coffee shop sparked off the idea of a book, which was to be a collaborative effort, as the self imposed deadlines grew nearer I found I alone had made strides toward the goal, So I undertook to complete the project myself. My poetry consumed many a long night, and after a year of writing, editing, design and layout, my book, 'The Palette of a Pondering Poet', was born. My father is an avid painter, so naturally, when looking for graphics, I approached him about combining my poetry with his paintings, and in so doing was introduced to a world of the brush and the palette. (Allen Foyn)

Herewith an exerpt from one of Allen's poems entitled

Forgotten Wonders

Flying marvels soon gather near,

As if they've come to hear

The soft sung song of life is revealed,

Giving voice to that which was once
concealed.

Whilst gathering specks of yellow gold,

Each receives something of value untold.

Although they appear as mere works of art,

Each creates its future child's heart.

Photographer: Emil von Maltitz, Durban

The amphitheatre image is one that always makes me feel on top of the world.
The sun breaking over the Eastern Buttress which itself seems to be sailing
on a sea of clouds just emits a sense of joyful happiness.

Tintern Abbey (above) is Emil's theme piece for Renaissance - Recalling the Age of Antiquity

Tintern Abbey is a well known ruin in the south of Wales. It was demolished,
or rather razed to the ground, during the Henry VIII's attack on the
Catholic Church. This image is of one of the remaining towers. The light
shining down from the top of the spire always makes me think of crawling out
of the dark into the light.

The image of the Madonna in the Drakensberg was photographed early one
morning after getting lost in the mountains, following the theme of light in
the images, it was after a terrible night stranded off the trail on at the
top of a scraggly pass that was impossible to climb. The dawn light shining
out and illuminating Cathedral Peak in the distance seemed to lighten our
hearts after the cold and wet night.

It has to be said that Emil's work is incredibly inspiring and evocative - in a manner that creates wonder and a sense of peace at the beauty of the world we live in. I am delighted that he will be exhibiting the three pieces shown here, on the next exhibition!!

Artist: Les FOYN, Durban

I met Les Foyn a number of years ago...and it was along the lines of a very different business ..or was it - Les has run his own graphic design business, Foyn Graphics, for a number of years, so it wasn't too surprising that he should want to break out of the mould a little and take up the brush...albeit with the same attention to detail!!

All of Les' artworks posted here are oils, seemingly his preferred medium

- top - Boy and Train- Mason's Mill (300mm x 400mm).............a painting of intensity in light and form...journey bound with a subtle hint of the frailty of man in the face of his own creation
- below - Steam Train- Mason's Mill ( 300mm x 400mm).......an emergent form

I asked Les to provide a little insight on what it is that keeps him on track...pardon the pun...this is what he had to say - in a manner most profound....

I have found in my life-time that the world is not a rose garden. I am constantly reminded that our physical existence is temporal and that Man's yardstick for success is based, in my opinion on falsities. We have generally become immersed in materialism and with the advent of modern technology, we constantly seek instant gratification, albeit of a shallow nature. The cost of which is high in the form of pressure, stress and the depletion of the ability to relax and enjoy what God intended us to. My paintings have become my life and I am extremely passionate about my art. I paint to capture stillness, beauty and peace. The exciting thing about painting for me is that I invariably find a measure of serendipity coming into my paintings. It is amazing how one single brush stroke although not intended and by fortunate accident brings a special meaning or effect to a painting. My subjects are many and varied, they include sea-scapes, land-scapes, portraits, buildings, animals, still-life and things as abstract as old motor vehicles & aircraft. My preferred medium is oil on canvas, my reason for this is that this method has proven itself over the centuries and retained all of it's resplendent, timeless value. A legacy to the artist. I paint sometimes for my own selfish pleasure, but my main goal is to bring tranquility and a little sanity to our otherwise hectic and demanding life styles.

- below - Shipwreck (355mm x 460mm) - a reflective piece ..note the detailed work on the beach sand

Boat on the Beach (500mm x 400mm) ...for that somewhat weathered look

- above - The Lighthouse - this painting has been used on the cover of The Palette of a Pondering Poet...by Allen Foyn (Les' son) herewith an excerpt from the poem of the same title....

' The storms of life are battering at your door,

Dare not open it, lest you let it in even more.

How in this tumultuous turmoil that is life,

Can I stand strong against the seas of our strife.'

- above - a detailed oil, simply entitled , Harbour - Wilson's Wharf (610mm x 505mm)

- and below - The Erica II (500mm x 400mm) - poetically inspiring....

'Off in the distance, a ship does appear,

"The lifeguard has come, abandon your fear".

Thankfully the ship was properly stocked,

Drunken men cheering, the moment they docked.'

- an excerpt from The Erica

The landscape oil below - Cattle in Field (455mm x 610mm) - is a move away from what appears to be Les' favoured subject matter ie machinery, transport,buildings......

..and then it swings back....in almost poster form of art with the Valentino Rossi and Michael Schumacher collage pieces....a dead giveaway to his graphic design grounding...

ARTIST: Mabel Armitage , La Lucia

Mabel or perhaps we might say ' Mother Earth' has been hard at work, doing what she does best...painting people...capturing emotions in the most subtle of ways - the glint in an eye,furrowing of a brow or the crinkling of a nose.......Mabel is in touch with her subjects...depicts a familiarity.............which leads one on and into the possibilities...the story...

Masai boy(above) - is one such character...a darkly coloured oil with the lightness of a crinkly - nose- smile!!


Looking for shells - an oil that takes one back to childhood holidays at the seaside...

Herero Woman - also an oil - a piece with purpose...........a colourful labour!!

Going to Market - that we could all approach our chores this way....................here Mabel manages to capture the joy of possibilities....!

...which perhaps cannot be said for Babysitting - a weighty responsibility...so often seen to be borne by youth....a face resigned to duty...

....and then................all joy..it's the end of a long day and it's Bathtime...and what better way to get away with splashing your sibling............

Sharon de Beer - PHOTOGRAPHER, Durban

Midlands Treelined Avenue
640mm x 230mm

Though my meeting Sharon happened to come by way of a chance email - the viewing of her work confirmed that it was more along the lines of ' meant to be' than pure co-incidence.

Photography, like painting holds a key to the character of the creator...every stroke representative of depth,passion,wonder - in the words of the old adage ' beauty is in the eye of the beholder'......Sharon's works reflect an inner peace, the serenity pursued - snatches of time encapsulated by just one click..............and a lifetime of knowing how and when to!!






Midlands Jetty
319mm x 480mm
















Harbour Boat 640mm x 426mm


All the images shown here are available for purchase -and are all a true reflection of her versatility and drive to capture that perfect moment!!

The following quote is taken from Sharon's website:

My dream has been to start a photography business and "Alive Photography SA" is a realisation of that dream…So many people say "find out what you are passionate about and turn that into a career".I have found that passion, and I have decided to live it!My photos will visually enhance your business or home - whether you are looking for photos to market your business or artworks in your home.I will photograph any aspect of your business that will assist in your marketing campaign. These visuals could be printed in brochures, pamphlets or included on your website.I also love to capture those special moments at home or outdoors. It could be a young woman dancing in a forest or a tender moment of joy between a father and his son.For me it's all about...
Living creatively, capturing moment!

Fisherman's Sunset 640mm x 425mm

Dancing Forest Girl 640mm x 320

Cosmos field 640mm x 320mm

Cosmos Scene 319mm x 480mm

Colourful Canoes 319mm x 480mm

Cloudy Cape Sky 640mm x 426mm

Busy Bees 640mm x 320mm

Bo Kaap Building 320mm x 480mm

ARTIST:Cheryl Cawdron, Durban North

Cheryl is as her style depicts - original!!! Versatile subject, distinctive style that you will beyond doubt, notice immediately!!
The oil shown above " In the Garden " (945mm x 790mm - framed) and the following 2 pieces, both with the title "In the Forest" - a framed conte work immediately below (448mm x 567mm) and the oil pastel (also framed, 455mm x 545mm) just below that, all seem to create a space that seems almost mystical....a drawing into, a finding of the key and an unlocking of the door to The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)


Cheryl has such an interesting resume - "My love affair with art started at an early age at school in Sandton, Johannesburg (as it was then called) where I was to take art as a school subject. I later did an art degree and post graduate HDE (Education) to become an art teacher through the University of Natal. Unfortunately in South Africa then, married women could not be employed on a full time basis. Disillusioned I joined the domestic retail market in Kwa Zulu Natal and never looked back. My career saw me open the Edgars West Street store, manage various Jet stores and become Regional and then Divisional Manager with Morkels. Finally the Bank employed me where I currently do projects on a National basis.
I digress, during this time I have exhibited extensively and in return have opened a small art school in my home suburb of Durban North. I currently have between 6 and 8 students all very active and rearing to go. We are about to launch into 'oil painting' with great enthusiasm.'

"Kudu" Oil Painting above - 720 x 660mm - framed
'Back to my work! I have always been fascinated by conceptual work and in particular the work of a Dutch painter called Piet Mondrian (1872-1944: De Stijl Movement). His works have large expansive colour with conceptual paint marks and colour definitions. Some may call them trite, I, however, believe that if one were to take any of these 'mark' away - the painting would simply not "work". For the time period, Mondrian was 'avante garde'. His works seemed to conjure the work of aerial photography. On researching this, I went with it and produced a triptych called "The Big Pink". This was exhibited in Cape Town at the then Cape Triennial exhibition.
My work continues to explore the painterly mark with a purpose of placing the mark confidently on the canvas. This requires much thought and careful consideration. I am overawed by texture, especially that presented by the great South African climate, both in my beautiful garden and the game reserve wilderness. This fascination with texture has kept me enthralled for some eight years now and I often wonder when I shall tire of it and move on...'

.........Press on Cheryl, press on!!

ARTIST - Emma Robb,Umdloti

I am so delighted to have some new works of Emma's on the blog - but ...the reason for the new work is best of all!!!........The others' have SOLD!!! - Great success - well done Emma!!!
The most interesting piece above, is an oil (750mm x 650mm) entitled "The Netting Game"............fitting, given the recent National elections!!!

This rather lovely embodiment of rich autumnal hues that takes one on a leisurely walk right into the field, is "Wheat", also an oil (600mm x 450mm)


Last, but not least - what appears to be one of Emma's favourite subjects - Horses, in an oil (760mm x 650mm) - "Not too far Honey"....a gentle,restful piece...very easy on the eye - but that goes without saying for most of Emma's work!!!

Artist - Pearl Murray, DURBAN

So true the saying ' First impressions are the lasting impressions ' and what an impression Pearl made on me!! Though I would like to describe Pearl as altruistic, there's a quote by Natalie Combray that counters this a little " Volunteers need both selfish and selfless motives to sustain their interest" ....and yet given the enormous amount of commitment shown by Pearl to her 'interests' , I am left wondering just where the selfish part comes in??
The Poignant Portrait above is "Peggy's Grand Daughter"

Could it possibly be her determination and drive to succeed?....here's an account of how Pearl 's career in the art world began....and of her seemingly exhausting schedule that she just seems to take in her stride!!..I'm of the opinion that CAN'T...is not a word that exists in Pearl's dictionary!!



Above, watercolour - a painting simply entitled 'Chester'

"Many years ago I was told by my artist sister that I would never be an artist, and that set me off. I painted in oils for many years and taught for 7 of them.
I then went into watercolours and have been in that medium for 8 years and for last 1 year into Pastels - I recently have painted quite a few commissions in this medium.

I love painting animals, portraits, airplanes, trains, anything that I can photograph is transformed into a painting. In fact, I love painting and spend as many spare hours as I can sitting wherever I can - painting.
Amazing what you can do whilst sitting on the lawn.

Apart from the many things that keep me busy, is feeding Feral Cats,President of both the North Coast Art Group and Manor Gardens Garden Club, Gardening, Housekeeping and Cooking. I exhibit where I can, I work on the computer doing my own scanning, printing and designing (no templates) to put together Year Event Calendars, Notepads, Bookmarks, Greeting Cards(originals painted), Postcards and Mini Calendars.
Each page on the Event Calendar and Notepad have a mini picture of one of my paintings, usually a selection of 5 which are then repeated.
They come in a series of Animal and African scenes as well as portraits of People,Cats, Dogs and Horses. Above is an example of one of the pastel Cat portraits (Postcard)

....and to the left - a delightful watercolour postcard"On the Road"

a lot of what I receive in monies is spent on feeding Feral Cats and I support Animal Anti Cruelty in SA, donating the occasional painting for them to raffle

Below, "The Happy Giraffe" - a watercolour postcard

...and the "Mother and Calf" watercolor - also a postcard.

They always say that if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person.......