This fynbos landscape was a commissioned work for clients. They chose the colour scheme from a previous painting I did, and I created this work for them. I often do commissions. My clients trust me to follow my process to create a piece that is fresh and new, within the size or coulour preference of the client.
Here I combined the King Protea (one of their favourite fynbos flowers), with red Watsonias, yellow Helichrysums and cream coloured Chinkerinchees – all in the warm, rich colour scheme of their choice.
This artwork is part of my Amplify-series:
Amplify:
I am preparing for my first solo exhibition in three years, coming up in September 2024. I am planning to create new fynbos artworks and to do something completely new to me: paint the Karoo landscape, where I recently spend a lot of my time.
I find myself drawn to large scale canvasses, to naturalistic, organic forms as well as drawn to abstraction. I aim to work even more freely and loosely. I see in the works I am creating, that I am increasing the detail of my subject matter and using finer brush strokes with more detail. At this stage, I do not want to over think where I am heading, but just lean into the process and trusting the spirit within me to lead my art to goodness and beauty.
As I walk in the fresh air of Table Mountain, I observe the fynbos plants with all my senses. I look at them intentionally and try to remember not only what I see but also the emotions evoked within me. Similarly, I look with new eyes at the Karoo landscape and see in my mind’s eye the art that will spring from it. I aim to capture my personal view in nature, incorporating the shapes, colours, movement of the wind and sting of the sharp winter air.
I need to amplify beauty around me.
I need to exalt the Maker of all things.