Fynbos Overflow: Watsonias

This 800 x 800mm oil painting is titled:  Fynbos Overflow:  Watsonias. 

Watsonias are close to my heart.  When I was born, we lived in Watsonia Street in George and the obstetrician who was present at my birth, called me the Watsonia of Watsonia Street.  This must have started my love for fynbos for the years to come! 

My 2020 paintings stand in stark contrast to the tense year that we find ourselves in – with many challenges and restrictions. In these paintings, I celebrate Spring in Cape Town and included some of my favourite fynbos plants: Watsonias; Helichrysams; Gnidias; Pincushions; Leucadendrons and Brunias.

I chose themes for my artworks such as ‘Overflow’ and ‘Abundance’ to bring pleasure, colour, hope and freedom into our lives.

I used fynbos plants as my inspiration but deviated from the original colours and shapes early in my creative process, as I wanted to portray freedom in my mark making with vibrant colours and strong contrasts.

My aim was to show the abundance of nature after such good rains in this year (2020). I want the ‘Abundance’ of the subject matter to ‘Overflow’ off the canvas – just as provision and blessings overflow in my life.  May this work bring hope and light wherever it is seen.