Size: 800 x 800mm
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas
Year: 2025
Painting on top of Table Mountain was a life-changing experience for me. I loved exploring the paths and discovering interesting fynbos species to paint. To find the spectacular deep blue Aristea capitata in full bloom, I had to walk all the way around the base of the mountain – but it was worth every step. In this piece, I paired those striking blue blooms with small, showy mountain daisies and a single blister bush (wild fennel) flower for contrast.
I’m delighted with the strong contrasts and bold energy that emerged in this work.
This painting is part of my Mountain series:
During my seven-week Art on the Mountain initiative during October and November 2025, I spent many hours walking among the rare and delicate fynbos that thrives on top of Table Mountain. The mountain became my living reference – its colours, textures, and quiet resilience stayed with me long after each walk.
I gathered impressions of the plants I encountered: the sculptural forms of the Klaas Louw Bush, the rhythmic lines of the restios, the soft, intricate blooms of the Ericas, and the unexpected brightness of the Blister Bush. Each one carried its own story of survival in the wind and sun, rooted in one of the world’s most unique biomes.
The Mountain Series grew from these encounters. In the studio, I explored the fine details, the gentle movements and the luminous hues that define fynbos. These works are my way of honouring the plants that inspired them—quiet tributes to a landscape that is both fragile and fierce.