Tontelblaar

‘Tontelblaar’ is the Afrikaans word for Tinderleaf, a fynbos plant that grows beautifully on Table Mountain. The plant has waxy leaves with a wooliness below the leaves. In times past, people used this ‘wool’ to light fires, using a box called a ‘Tonteldoos’ (tinderbox). In the Autumn, the start of our rainy season, the Tinderleaf pushes up these interesting yellow flowers.

In this work I combined the soft yellow and pink pastels and the interesting simple shapes of the fynbos flowers.

This work is part of my “Response series”.

“Response” is a series of oil paintings created from a place of abundance and deep gratitude.  The lyrics of the song “Gratitude”, by Brandon Lake, resonate with me: “I’ve got one response, I’ve got just one move…”. 

I have but one response to abundance and goodness – and that is a thankful life.
Every brush stroke comes from within and is intuitively applied to the canvas as an act of thankfulness. Each artwork an anthem of praise. I find pleasure in expressing my gratitude in this way.  

As the fynbos in creation brings praise to its Creator by being what it is: plants that grow, flower, and flourish in all conditions – so I will bring praise by being who I am created to be: an artist. 

My art is my gratitude.