Artist : Bev Letard : A Follow up.......

'In many lives it is the beginnings that are most significant: the first steps, though seemingly effaced, leave their imprint on everything else that follows'



Lewis Mumford, American philosopher,writer,social commentator & architectural critic :1895-1990

So too, the imprint left upon Bev's style of painting by her Chinese Master teacher....who has become her personal friend and mentor - subsequently Bev has been acknowledged by the acclaimed artist in his 3rd book which has just been published.

Koi fish remain Bev's favourite subject ...to quote:

The koi fish, with their amazing colours, grace of movement and integration with the water they swim in has been a great challenge to capture with paint.

They are painted with a limited palette of the three primary colours of red, yellow and blue only, and together these basic colours produce images that echo the spirit and personality of the natural world around us.

However.. Bev is resolute in her drive to paint all that holds true.........to form,colour and shape...and ventures oft away from the world of watercolours to capture the more heady, more dramatic - personified above in 'Cloe' - an acrylic (460mm x 600mm)...and collectively in 'Before the curtain rises' - mixed media (acrylic with the skirt in tulle - 460mm x 600mm)




















The watercolours posted below, embue all that Bev holds dear....colourful movement - herewith 'Chrysanthemum Delight' (560mm x 370mm);

'Magic in my Garden' - watercolour & pastel (510mm x 330mm)

'Splash of Colour' - watercolour & pastel (750mm x 560mm)

'The Pink Lily' -watercolour & pastel (760mm x 470mm)

'Waterlilies on the Pond' -watercolour (370mm x 560mm)

Artist : Lesley Freeman, DURBAN NORTH

"Oh the vibrancy!!!", I exclaim....to which Lesley enthusiastically responds...

'Yes! I've been inspired - colour is abstract, after all!!'

Lesley's oil paintings of trees are awash with glorious colour - the Gnarly I & II above with an almost 'icy ' splendour whilst Mediterranean Pine I & II fill the canvas with resplendent hues of yellow and blue

Artist - Ronnie Huber - MORE!!

After the sale of the 2 Nguni's, I approached Ronnie for more of her available work...and that's exactly what I received - not only by way of art..but more so by way of diversity - in colour,form and subject....a whole lot MORE!!

...and it starts with "Steel Blast Furnace in Vanderbijlparl" - a mixed media piece (oil/charcoal/acrylic) on canvas that explores the other side of life...........a work after work

And moves onto the ' 4 Tswana women ' an oil on canvas (1000mm x 800mm) - clothed in tactile, voluminous colour.......women draped in splendour....with a purpose!!

A move away from form and colour of a human nature to an evocative unfolding of Mother Nature , is the simply titled "White Roses" - an oil on canvas (1000mm x 800mm)....that embodies all the colours, shades and tones of white ....and the gentle pervasive palette of pinks in "Bowl of English Roses", also an oil on canvas (1000mm x 700mm)

There is an almost poignant approach to"The sculptor" at work on his creation , an oil on canvas(1000mm x 900mm) that captures the essence of all that art is.....life,form, colour,shape; and most importantly -the passion within that drives the creation without

The mixed media (oil/charcoal/acrylic on canvas) piece below,ambiguously entitled "Point Road/Mahatma Gandhi Road."............is best embodied in the following saying from Havamal (1000 year old words of wisdom)- Sayings of the Vikings ....on the subject of Renown..of which Point Road needs no introduction...however with regard to the new name viz Mahatma Gandhi.......

Cattle die
kinsmen die
all men are mortal.
Words of praise
will never perish
nor a noble name

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 !!