africantapestry – Page 55 – Africantapestry

Posted on June 9, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Urns and tennis

I have a passion for urns…Medici, cast iron, soapstone, old stone…I love their shape and touch and smell, their poise and nobility. While I watched the tennis today, my hands looked for something to do. Since I’ve been longing to do a few urns for some time now, I thought I should start right away with the first one, an old French cast iron urn. The first painting is oil on linen which I did a few years ago.It is close to my heart.

This next one is one of three watercolors I did while watching the ladies final at Roland Garos this afternoon. I wanted to go for the same composition as the oil just for comparison. This was the last of my attempts and probably the one closest to what I intended. Maybe because by this time the tennis result was a clear cut thing, no doubt who the winner would be, so my attention was mostly on the paper.The shape is awkward though, but that doesn’t bother me too much. I’m never too fixed on realism. My watercolors are a bit sloppy lately, but my goal is to bring more expressionism into them, to accentuate color more and the big one …to fiddle less

This sketch comes in second. I’m not happy with it, although there is something that makes me look at it again. It is very wild and uncontrolled, dark a with lot of confusing leaves….that actually sounds very much like my mind…. or it could be the tennis. By this stage in the match, it was a very one-sided gameAnd finally, my first attempt right at the beginning of the match, when I still thought it was going to be a tough battle and my attention was eagerly turned more to the game.

There is really no interest in this one, very flat and floating with no excitement. After these attempts I had enough of this urn, however much I love it. I’ll try some others for next time

22 comments:

Dave said…: Interesting exercise to paint the same thing three times. I like all of them, but I think I agree with your order of preference. The oil is outstanding!; June 9, 2007 7:43 PM
Renate said…: I’m in love with the oil painting. There is something very intriguing in it. Maybe the way you get the light … Don’t know. But it’s great!; June 9, 2007 7:59 PM
Sandy said…: Love the oil painting too and of the three, my favorite is the bottom one…just gorgeous. But…I’m still thinking about that outdoor kithen and alfresco cooking…yum…I’m hungry..; June 9, 2007 9:35 PM
🙂 Silvia said…: All of the paintings are great, but the first one is really outstanding :)!! It’s understandable that you are very fond of it.; June 9, 2007 11:18 PM
Robyn said…: The urn was the winner on the day. Beautiful all ways. I love the oil – awesome, but my favourite of your ‘tennis’ paintings is the first one. Smashing!; June 9, 2007 11:18 PM
janey said…: Yes the oil is excellent but actually my favorite is the last one. I like the freedom and the colors.; June 10, 2007 12:43 AM
Jenny said…: I like them all, and there’s no reason for me to pick one over the others. :)Sports on television cannot hold my attention and something else to do must me found. Needlework is my usual choice if it’s at an uncomplicated point.; June 10, 2007 2:07 AM
caseytoussaint said…: Ronell, whenever I stop paying attention I miss another fabulous post! this is great, I’ve always loved that oil, and it looks wonderful here – I think my favorite of the watercolors is the last one – it looks like you’re sure of your subject and know where you wanted to go with it, maybe because the composition is a bit simpler. Delightful.; June 10, 2007 4:56 PM
Lindsay said…: Wow! You have an amazing eye for detail! Great wc sketches too.; June 10, 2007 4:58 PM
Jana Bouc said…: hese are all amazing and I’m so envious of your oil technique. I think my favorite images of the urn though are the first one (the oil) and the last one. The surface of the urn in the oil is perfect and it looks so weighty and substantial. The values in the last watercolor image are just right and it really stands out.; June 11, 2007 6:45 AM
hfm said…: Love your persistency… and for me they are good and transparent as I like them.; June 11, 2007 10:40 AM
Anita said…: Oh Ronell, we share a passion. I can’t pass an urn or a column or ballistrade without running my hands along it’s curves…Which can be rather embarassing for those who are with me at times. LOL!
Your paintings are beautiful. The oil is exceptional and the watercolours show your personality, knowledge of subject and love of colour.
Truly gorgeous!; June 11, 2007 12:40 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you for your commenst…I rellay apprecieate it.
Ronell; June 11, 2007 4:09 PM
Bonny said…: Fabulous, Ronell! To me, all the urn sketches are interesting for their own sake. I don’t think I’ve ever concentrated on drawing one thing several times to compare the results. Neat idea!; June 11, 2007 4:21 PM
Laureline said…: Hey, I love that last one—so what am I, chopped liver?? The whole group is such fun to see and, as always, your narrative is charming and compelling, too.; June 11, 2007 8:10 PM
Sandy said…: Each rendition is wonderful in it’s own – I cannot sit still to do the same subject repeatedly but this shows how much variety can be achieved – Great work as always.; June 11, 2007 8:17 PM
wagonized said…: Such an intricate shape to draw / paint. The first one blows me away, quite simply. I think oil is very appropriate for the weight of the urn.; June 12, 2007 5:22 AM
Carole said…: How do you find the patience to paint the same thing three times! You must learn a lot from doing so. I love the differences in these three paintings, and they all have characteristics that I like. I like the loose expressive style and think you’ve achieved it well. My favourite is, of course, the oil painting. It’s simply stunning.; June 12, 2007 6:31 PM
Tonniece said…: As always lovely pieces. The oil painting is wonderful Ronell.; June 13, 2007 11:13 PM
Andrew said…: wowoowwww these are just awesome…so did you watch much of the match:>; June 14, 2007 12:01 AM
Serena said…: WOW! I’m flat out painting something once let alone four times. The oil is my absolute favourite but the other’s are vibrant with colour and flair. Well done, Ronell ~; June 20, 2007 6:20 AM
platitudinal said…: I love how your paintings give us hints of your self, Ronell. Today we learn that you have a passion for urns and the reason behind it.Your talent never ceases to amaze me.

Posted on June 7, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

From shade to shade in summer

In summer we travel from shade to shade.

Early mornings, cup of coffee in hand, are spent on the terrace, sitting on a rock at the entrance to one of our caves and contemplating. The shade of the huge cliff at your back is a welcome relief after a hot night’s suffering. These stairs, leading up to the terrace, were done in pen and watercolor, on Fabriano WC paperHP(extra white).

After all that meditating and musing, while watching the sun brightening the skies, it is time to move out of the shade and into the working shoes, which are ready on the go at the kitchen door. These are actually the working boots of Hartman, mine wasn’t to be found, but they aren’t as characterful as his anyway. But, pretending they are mine, they will prune and dig and weed and water, while the sun still has a gentle caress. This was done in pen and watercolor on Fabriano CP paper.

All the prunings and snippings of early morning will go into some vase somewhere in the house as well as an empty container in the garden in a shady spot, like the mint in this old kettle on a crooked, rusty chair. This corner was sketched in pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP(extra white)

Finally the day will end in the welcoming shade of our summer kitchen right at the back of the garden, where we enjoy the most wonderful alfresco meals, prepared by Hartman. (The door right at the back goes into a cave, which accounts for the wonderful coolness in summer)This is his kingdom, where he cooks and fries and experiments and flips and flops, with me in the role of sous-chef and lighting candles and lanterns, picking herbs, fiddling here and meddling there. We play guitar and sing and eat and while away the beautiful summer evenings, ending it all with some more contemplating and musing. Tomorrow we’ll start the day again, moving from shade tot shade. This was done in watercolor on Fabriano HP.

29 comments:

Christeen said…: Wow- what a great entry! Thanks for sharing this illustrated peek into a summer day for you and Hartman… gorgeous stuff!; June 7, 2007 6:13 PM
Sandy said…: So lovely Ronell and restful and light – makes me yearn to get out into my garden.; June 7, 2007 6:22 PM
Dave said…: Lovely to hear about your summer days and to see your illustrations of it!; June 7, 2007 7:56 PM
Robyn said…: I love them all but the mint in the kettle is my favourite. Delightful post as usual, Ronell and I learn for the first time that Hartman likes to cook. We are so lucky to have such men! Your garden, with all its special nooks, looks like paradise; June 7, 2007 8:03 PM
Claudia said…: I enjoyed v e r y much reading your blog entry and seeing the wonderful, loose sketches!!! Keep up the good work!!!; June 7, 2007 9:15 PM
Bonny said…: Ronell, you have been busy doing these lovely paintings! They are all fabulous! My favourite one is of the teapot and the mint growing in it. The ‘cave’ is fascinating because of the perspective and the story behind it.
Thanks for sharing!; June 7, 2007 9:59 PM
Anonymous said…: Gorgeous work! I love the shoes.hfm
http://tcores.blogspot.com; June 7, 2007 10:50 PM
mARTa said…: oh, I am envious of you as well! These are all so lovely and inviting! I am already in a mental travel mode and anticipating my trip this fall. I am so excited about meeting you, Casey and Robyn! My day was spent having my nails done, a pedicure and out for sushi with my husband and then an art show this evening. Maybe tomorrow I should play in the garden!; June 8, 2007 12:23 AM
Susan Hosken said…: Yours is the first shade challenge response I’ve seen. I can’t think of what to do so was pleased to see your response.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia; June 8, 2007 12:46 AM
Lin said…: WOWOW!!! What a way to live a life .. what spectacular sketching and painting!! I am awed!; June 8, 2007 1:16 AM
Brenda Y said…: If there were “best blog entry” awards–you would get it!! What a fascinating narative of a day in the life of. . . The drawings and loose watercolor technique is absolutely FANTASTIC! My favorite is your summer kitchen/cave entrance–OHMYGOSH I would absolutely LOVE to cook in that kitchen!!! What a wonderful life and so happy you share it with us-THANKS!!; June 8, 2007 2:11 AM
Lindsay said…: I love your “day in the life of”.
Lovely sketches. The stairs are so lyrical!! Thanks for sharing a slice of your day.; June 8, 2007 2:56 AM
Ujwala said…: sketches are lovely and the post well written. i especially like the first one because you’ve tackled perspective which is one of my stumbling blocks.; June 8, 2007 5:44 AM
caseytoussaint said…: What a beautiful, poetic rendering of you private world, there behind the big old wooden gate. Those cars buzzing past have no idea what a paradise you’re hiding!; June 8, 2007 9:00 AM
Stacy said…: Lovely story, beautiful paintings and the perfect way to spend a summer day! Thanks for sharing!; June 8, 2007 2:58 PM
Carole said…: What an idyllic way to spend the day – thanks for sharing! Beautiful paintings, as always. I don’t know how you manage to keep them so loose and casual looking, and yet have such accuracy in things like the chair, steps and perspective. You talented lady!; June 8, 2007 4:32 PM
Nancy Van Blaricom said…: What a wonderful story teller… I could read a whole book with you as the author … bravo!I can’t pick a favorite of your watercolors….. I want them all. Beautiful colors depicting a summer day.; June 8, 2007 4:43 PM
SCquiltaddict said…: lovely as usual…what time is dinner???:> and whats hartmann cooking?!; June 8, 2007 5:31 PM
Anonymous said…: Hi RonellI frequently visit you block to check on latest post and commentaries. Normally I refrain from commenting but this time around I can not resist. Maybe I was compelled by the fact that I was implicated so much this time around.Being true to your philosophy of telling stories with painting I could read much more in your carefully constricted associated text. Of course I have an additional advantage above your normal critiques by the fact that I know these place so well myself. But what the heck something must compensate for my lack of artistic expertise.For instance I could feel the shade and almost smell the associated odor of the moss on the wall while looking at the painting of the stairs. I could sense the relive of the end of the days work in the garden associated in the pair of shoes hinting to fact that they have been taken off only moments ago. The mint in the cattle spoke of you and the combination of your love for the garden and antiques. I could not help to immediately visualize many moments of joy in the garden or “brocante” after an unusual find.However what struck me most was the emotions and many memories of good times that were evoked by looking at the painting of summer kitchen.I believe that artist are feeling good if the can touch people and their emotions with their art. If they can get people to act or react they are in euphoria. Well…. This time around you can reach euphoria because looking at all of this it moves me to stop working immediately……. make may my way home…… to our summer kitchen…. to start a fire …… so I can be KING..Well done RonellHartman; June 8, 2007 5:32 PM
Teri C said…: STUNNING!!! The art and the commentary!! As the paintings downloaded I loved the next one and then the next one. Just stunning!!!; June 8, 2007 6:01 PM
Robyn said…: Okay – that’s done it! Now I’m in love with Hartman!; June 8, 2007 7:28 PM
Sandy said…: I’m ready to move.. Can I catch a plane tomorrow. Will you meet me at the airport. Can I eat with you. Can I sit in the shade with Hartman. Wonderful wonderful post and paintings…sandy; June 8, 2007 7:59 PM
Lynn said…: Absolutely wonderful! What a fabulous life you live. You are an inspiration.; June 8, 2007 10:21 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you so much for all your kind and encouraging comments and a special thanks to Hartman for his appreciation…for having had me sitting and crying here…because I’m happy.
Hie hie Robyn, you make me laugh…you and your husband should hop on the plane and come visit…them men can cook and we can…well..do what we do best?
And that goes for you too Sandy, come and cook and eat!
Thanks everybody!
Ronell; June 8, 2007 11:18 PM
bec said…: wish I had a summer kitchen… is it really in a cave? lovely paintings!; June 8, 2007 11:19 PM
mARTa said…: ah ronelle…is that invite still open to me next fall? LOL…I’m in love with Hartman now too!; June 9, 2007 6:43 AM
Tea & Margaritas in My Garden said…: What wonderful art and words!tea
xo; June 9, 2007 5:01 PM
Robyn said…: Oh Ronell, we’d so love to come but our dogs have shocking table manners!; June 9, 2007 11:23 PM
phthaloblu said…: These are beautiful paintings and great commentary.

Posted on May 30, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Two cars

Two cars…Only for the show.
They serve their purpose well in adding a quirky touch to a corner in the house somewhere…on a pile of antique books, under a cloche, on a dinner table, on a stack of DVD’s..I bought the chevy( right?)when we lived in South Carolina, at a stop next to the highway.
The “coccinelle” is a lovely reminder of my own I once dashed around in.
Watercolor and ink on Arches HP paper

Sandy said…

I adore these cars and the amusing still lifes you created, Bravo; May 30, 2007 6:17 PM
Carole said…: These are both great paintings. I love the quirky things you find to paint, and the colours you choose to use. The little green car is really cute – I’d love one of those!; May 30, 2007 7:18 PM
brian nelson said…: Great job on the cars! Great paintings.; May 30, 2007 8:26 PM
Lin said…: FANTASTIC WORK!!! Love the wee things!; May 30, 2007 8:57 PM
Dave said…: Lovely work! And such interesting subjects.; May 30, 2007 10:14 PM
platitudinal said…: And the doors open too. Wow!
Great illustrations on the theme, Ronell! And, another glimpse to your life or in this case, your house 🙂; May 31, 2007 12:06 AM
Lynn said…: I love both these compositions. They are exquisite!; May 31, 2007 12:07 AM
Lindsay said…: Very cute cars. Love the shading on them.; May 31, 2007 7:56 AM
Robyn said…: Lovely whimsical still lifes, Ronell. There seem to be quite a few women painting cars lately. It must be evolution 🙂; May 31, 2007 10:20 AM
Tonniece said…: So detailed, I love the the colors, the moveing parts, and the fact that you actually own miniature cars, how cool.; May 31, 2007 1:31 PM
juj said…: I’ve never noticed how little pen you use to make your wonderful sketches until I looked at the VW Bug large, and I don’t know why it facinates me so much but it’s amazing and makes me love your paintings even more. Great work on both these sketches. LOVE the colors – especially those spots on the cds.; May 31, 2007 2:28 PM
suzanne said…: Such a smart way to illustrate cars! I love the fact that you like to have quirky touches around your house. Me too!; May 31, 2007 3:22 PM
Teri C said…: Great cars!!! That top one is a ’56 Chevy I think. They both are so neat and what a great subject!; June 1, 2007 4:05 AM
Viv King said…: Hi Ronell – your site is SO COOL- it is so accessible and you can see changes all the time – you must be one hard-working chick!! Thanks for the comment on my “portrait” – it is nice to get some recognition at last after so many years of trying – did you ever have anything to do with the SASA while you were in Stellies – I find them to be quite a “cliquey” bunch!! Keep in touch, hey ou skat!

Posted on May 18, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Bon voyage to Casey!

Bon voyage to Casey.! May she have fun in Hong Kong, may they be kept safe and may she come back with great sketches!

Lin said…: DITTO DITTO DITTO!! GREAT BOWL, TOO!; May 18, 2007 5:17 PM
Teri C said…: Wonderful tribute to Casey. What a good friend you are. Great bowl!!; May 18, 2007 7:16 PM
platitudinal said…: Love the bowl and the chopsticks to illustrate the trip to the Orient.; May 18, 2007 9:13 PM
bec said…: Oooh Hong Kong… I’ve never been there. It will be interesting to see Casey’s sketches. I like the colors and subject of your painting !; May 19, 2007 3:32 AM
caseytoussaint said…: Wow – thanks Ronell! I’m not sure I’ll be able to reach this standard, but I’ll do my best.; May 19, 2007 10:17 AM
Robyn said…: Such a pretty bowl! Reminds me how much I miss Chinese food. I lived in HK for a couple of years so really envy Casey.; May 19, 2007 2:26 PM
Claudia said…: The sketch looks so real!!Well done!; May 19, 2007 8:13 PM
mARTa said…: love chinese food! I have a bowl similar to your although I prefer to eat out! Love your wc sketch! I must try hot press paper!; May 20, 2007 4:17 AM
Brenda Y said…: What a clever idea to paint a chinese bowl and chopsticks!! I LOVE it!!! And oh yes, we will look forward to seeing what Casey brings back.; May 20, 2007 5:50 AM
Anna said…: Beautiful colors!; May 22, 2007 11:28 PM
Ben said…: what a sweet thing to do…and its lovely…; May 23, 2007 2:36 AM
Fanta said…: What a wonderful job. The perfect colur combination , perfectly balanced. It’s such a warm painting.
And yes, I also hope Casey will surprise us with lots of stuff. I bet she is sketching right now as I type. I really can’t wait!; May 23, 2007 9:44 PM
wagonized said…: Holy crap. I love how you handled the colors.; May 24, 2007 3:17 AM
laserone said…: omg i JUST love this. The colors are GORGEOUS. I have an almost identical bowl, but without the design on the bottom. Wow, this is really nice. 🙂; May 30, 2007 6:08 AM
Serena said…: Fabulous work, Ronell! I gave an oriental bowl and chopstick set to my daughter last year…same colours too. LOVE this!; May 31, 2007 12:28 PM
andrea joseph’s sketchblog said…: Absolutely STUNNING.

Posted on May 12, 2007June 27, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

Barefoot and happy

A handful of years ago, we packed our two small girls and with a suitcase and a chair or two we headed for the unknown. In this case it happened to be Suffolk, England. We arrived in February, stayed in the Orwell hotel in Felixstowe for some weeks while in search for a haven to unpack our lives.
Two days ago Hartman called me from Felixstowe, where he was working for three days. While he was walking by the sea, eating fish and chips, visiting all the places we lived, buying Fox’s crunch creams, we remembered. We remembered how young our girls were. We remembered how cold it was, how wet, how grey, how exciting, how awful, how lonely. This led to many memories old and dear. It took me far back to our homeland, before we packed up, to days of golden sun, warm cuddling friendships, lazy beach days, back breaking work sessions, hat wearing sports events… all of which happened barefoot.
We learnt in England to wear shoes, after the girls have been frowned upon for running at school events barefoot, for running barefoot through the lobby of the hotel to quickly pick up Dad from work(truth be told, it was February…), I have learnt to keep shoes close by for when the doorbell rang and I learnt not to kick out my shoes when arriving at a friends house.
It has been a long time since I’ve had to remove some thorns from my feet. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt mud squishing up between my toes, or heated up my feet in a warm puddle of cow dung,….disgusting maybe, but those who grew up on a farm, will know what I’m talking about. They’re quite beautiful now, my feet, very soft and supple, lovely pedicured and all, which is something to be grateful for I suppose. But when the chance for being barefoot shows up at our door, we still happily kick off those shoes and dash across the lobby.

In the light of my melancholy, I did 3 quick sketches with some pen and watercolor on Fabriano HP paper….and even trampled some mud…

40 comments:

Ujwala said…: nice 😀 i wish i could draw my feet with as much ease. i do know about running around barefoot though 😀 pretty common growing up in India. Took to wearing slippers when i discovered that not doing so was one of the triggers for an allergy attack .; May 12, 2007 5:28 PM
Kunya said…: Gorgeous & sensual. Love to look at these.; May 12, 2007 7:34 PM
Renate said…: Not only are you beautiful with pen and brush, I’m also very touched by your words. A poet, for sure …; May 12, 2007 7:52 PM
Bill said…: Beautiful thoughts and paintings.; May 12, 2007 8:07 PM
Lin said…: Ronell — OH WHAT WONDERFUL FEET!!!! And memories and thoughts! I used to run around NY sidewalks and mud with barefeet .. grew many a callouses .. and sure do miss those days …!; May 12, 2007 8:35 PM
shirley said…: I LOVE your paintings and your use of shadows.; May 12, 2007 10:51 PM
Fanta said…: Wonderful tale, gorgeaus feet sketches (not to forget the gorgeous feet:)). My absolute fav. has to be the first one, I just love its vibrant colours and the dramatic treatment of the shadows.
I can’t wait to get back to China where I can have my weekly reflexology sessions for the fracture of the European price… I love to have my feet pampered. I can imagine cow dung can be very pleasant too, but never tried it. Well, not yet.; May 12, 2007 11:27 PM
Robyn said…: I don’t think I can remember running through cow dung – but I still wince at the memory of chicken poo. Vivid, entertaining writing, as ever, Ronell and sweet feet!; May 12, 2007 11:37 PM
Susan Hosken said…: To celebrate your blog entry I’m going to go paddling down at the beach and feel sand between my toes. What a treat.
Enjoy the journey
Lots of love from Susan in Australia; May 12, 2007 11:55 PM
Serena said…: I loved reading this post, Ronell. It brought back memories of our trip to England to visit with family back when I was fourteen. Granny was shocked that my siblings and I were barefoot a lot of the time. Once, when my sister and I walked down the street to the corner shop barefoot, people would actually stop and stare at us like we were freaks. LOL Being barefoot was so much the norm back then in Australia. Nowadays, we tend to go barefoot only in our homes, yards and, of course, at the beach. Sorry for digressing….LOVED your sketches….great feet!!; May 13, 2007 12:11 AM
Arty Velarde said…: Very, very cool.
paintings and story that is!; May 13, 2007 2:46 AM
Anita said…: Beautiful post and fabulous sketches Ronell.
Living in the Fens, in England, I can happily report that my children are rarely seen wearing shoes of any kind. My youngest walks upon the shingle, thistles, stinging nettles…barefoot. My eldest feeds the animals and dashes over to my parents opposite the yard…Barefoot.
Me…Well let’s just say my feet are anything but beautiful. Tough, mostly naked and always looking a little grubby which is fine until I need to wear evening shoes!
It’s good to feel the earth you walk upon, freeing!
I also have it on good authority that it is very good for you to walk upon the early morning dew barefooted, especially women. I often do this and, damp footed, I breath in the virgin fenland air at the start of a new day…It’s a very calming way to start the day and allows me time & peace to appreciate all I have.; May 13, 2007 3:11 AM
mARTa said…: lovely paintings and wonderful memories. I am fortunate enough to live in a climate where I run around barefoot ALWAYS at home. We do kick off our shoes when we come indoors or visit! And it’s sandle time so time for toe rings and ankle bracelets!; May 13, 2007 7:05 AM
Jana Bouc said…: These are wonderful Ronell. I grew up barefoot too, in San Diego, California. I never wore shoes (except to school or jobs) and my feet were so tough I could walk on the hot beach sand or the hot sidewalk with no problem. When I took my drivers license test the examiner tried to tell me I had to wear shoes but I told him there was no law that said so and he gave in. It wasn’t until I moved to New York City when I was 19 that I stopped going barefoot. My first walk down the street I stepped in glass, spit, etc. and that was the end of that. I still go barefoot at home and around the yard though. I actually liked the way it sounds to warm ones feet in a squishy cow pie. I bet it felt better than mud!; May 13, 2007 7:32 AM
Emma Pod said…: Wonderful feet and good colors too! I got “tagged” to tell 7 things about myself on my blog and then tag 7 others. I tagged you as one of my 7 (if you haven’t done it already) on my post tonight.take care! Mary; May 13, 2007 8:19 AM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you for the comments- I loved all your stories about your barefoot days…wonderful to hear that it is a freedom still loved by many. It is so true what Anita says…to feel the raw earth beneath your feet, is to feel something freeing your soul.
Thanks
Ronell; May 13, 2007 9:18 AM
Tonniece said…: What a wonderful story Ronell. I have never liked being barefoot in my entire life, till that is, I got to that magical age all we women must endure. I now find the floors so soothing and (cooling). As for the great outdoors and bare feet I’ve never done that, but you make it sound so relaxing and fun. As summer is fighting to stay here in Canada, I just might give it a try.
Love the sketches. (being barefoot dosn’t seem to have done them any harm).; May 13, 2007 9:35 AM
Lindsay said…: Ronell, I loved this sweet and sentimental post. The paintings and your nostalgia are a lovely combination. Japan might be a great home for your feet!!; May 13, 2007 3:30 PM
SCquiltaddict said…: great story about your feet…and going barefooted…too bad you were not in the south…you could have gone barefooted here!; May 13, 2007 3:51 PM
andrea joseph’s sketchblog said…: These are really great. All of them. I love your approach Roneel. It makes me quite envious!; May 13, 2007 6:06 PM
Nancy Van Blaricom said…: Wonderful post. (I love reading your story’s)Wonderful memories for you.Wonderful sketches.Happy Mother’s Day to you.; May 13, 2007 6:35 PM
Natalie Ford said…: That reminds me of this – done years ago!; May 13, 2007 6:48 PM
Sarah said…: This time I hope it gets posted … enjoyed your post and the paintings are lovely – particularly the middle one. Reading about being barefoot made my toes curl in delight – I love the feel of dew-wet grass.And strangely enough, I live in Ipswich – and am regularly in Felixstow as it’s my nearest coastal town and I miss living by the sea. Small world!; May 13, 2007 7:31 PM
Robyn said…: Ronell – Just wanted to let you know, since I so enjoy your blog, I’ve tagged you. Just follow the link to my post http://havedogswilltravel.blogspot.com/2007/05/tagged.html; May 13, 2007 7:45 PM
E-J said…: As a three-year-old, I was evidently known as “the little girl with green feet” because going barefoot was seen as such an oddity! My father was originally South African, though … perhaps that’s the connection …Suffolk!! It’s so close to where I am now.Love your sketches, and your words.; May 13, 2007 11:20 PM
Silvia said…: Wonderful story and paintings. I can only agree with all that has been said before.; May 14, 2007 12:25 AM
bec said…: ahhh ! barefoot. I’ve enjoyed going barefoot since I was a child too… now I find it so freeing especially when I play music-I’m a violinist- it always goes better when I’m barefoot! I always enjoy your free and happy sketches.; May 14, 2007 3:46 AM
wagonized said…: They are beautiful feet! Not just the way you painted them, but simply them, their shape!; May 14, 2007 4:01 AM
aPugsLife-laserone said…: Wow, what a fantastic post. I love hearing about people’s lives through their posts and their art. I am very… I am not sure of the word. I tend to think about the past a lot. I moved around A LOT growing up and so I think about towns and houses I used to live in growing up. I miss some of them. Some I do NOT miss but still think about or dream about in my sleep. 🙂; May 14, 2007 7:48 AM
caseytoussaint said…: What a great post, Ronell! I also went barefoot all the time when I was a kid, even in New Jersey – and sometimes I forget and answer the door here in France with bare feet. The looks I get are terrifying!; May 14, 2007 8:39 AM
Carole said…: I get such a sense of freedom from your description of enjoying your barefootedness! And the paintings seem to communicate that revelling in such simple freedom. Lovely post!
By the way, I’ve tagged you – but just realised reading through your comments that I’m not the first. Sorry!; May 14, 2007 12:12 PM
Alison said…: Beautiful – I used to stub my toes so often as a child as I went barefoot all summer.; May 14, 2007 2:02 PM
Jan said…: Great feet Ronell. And I’ve tagged you too! Seems someone else got here before me, but it’s too late to change. I’ve got you up on my blog. So come on over and check the details!; May 14, 2007 2:15 PM
ksklein said…: Hi there, You have been tagged. To check it out have a look at my blog!I like the first feet pic.; May 14, 2007 4:27 PM
Sandy said…: What fun, both story and sketches, Both show so much of who you are and it is simply GREAT. For someone melancholy you ROCK!; May 14, 2007 4:28 PM
Teri C said…: What fun!!! I especially love the one with mud between the toes, that’s about as free as you can get!!; May 14, 2007 5:09 PM
Biby Cletus said…: Cool blog, i just randomly surfed in, but it sure was worth my time, will be backDeep Regards from the other side of the MoonBiby Cletus; May 14, 2007 9:15 PM
Stacy said…: Ronell, it seems your foot post was a hit! I enjoyed it too! I always liked being barefoot as a child and found that I haven’t yet outgrown it. Shoes suffocate my feet. My kids are taking after me and take off their shoes as soon as they get home. In warm weather we often wear flip flops when we need to go out because they are the most minimal shoes allowed.; May 15, 2007 6:04 PM
platitudinal said…: Melancholia may be a fleeting moment, but it certainly knows how to make its presence known. Hope you are feeling better. Love the bare feet sketches. I have a bit of a hard time imagining the delight of squishing around the cow dung, but was tickled by the idea that some people do not mind 🙂; May 16, 2007 1:44 PM
phthaloblu said…: Oh my! I grew up barefoot. The bottoms of my feet were as hard as leather from going everywhere barefoot. My husband hated that (he’s from New Jersey) and wouldn’t let our kids go barefoot. I told him, sorry, you married a hillbilly! lol! Anyway, he hates it when I get back from girl weekend, especially if we’ve been in the mountains because the first thing I do is ditch the shoes. Thanks for bringing back some memories.; May 16, 2007 5:13 PM

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Posted on May 6, 2007July 6, 2008 by Myfrenchkitchen

I give you… Christeen

A fun exchange in emails between Christeen and me a while ago, turned into work in the end! Not that this wasn’t fun. Too much, I would say…I actually attempted three paintings! But it sure was difficult…I was very worried about not doing justice to her beauty and wonderful character. She assured me though it is about the process, and not the end result(for this time, I’ll believe it, although I would normally believe that the result does carry quite a bit of weight too!)
She also sent me a picture of her and her brother at four years, which I’ll attempt a bit later. By her own words, she now once again has the playfulness, enthusiasm and humor she had when she was four and that was what I tried to capture. I can see it so obviously in her face, but capturing it, is another thing. She has these amazingly long eyelashes behind which she carries the sparkles of mischief, a mouth full and round with humor, and hair, wild like a free roaming lioness. See Christeen’s excellent take on this!!…. as well as the original image here
So, here I give you Christeen…..in graphite on paper; then watercolor on Arches and last, oil on linen.

shirley said…: All absolutely wonderful! What a huge project….; May 6, 2007 4:21 PM
Christeen said…: Ronell, you are one amazingly talented woman!! Holy smokes! These are awesome!; May 6, 2007 4:22 PM
Dave said…: Ooh, these are all good. I think the graphite one is my favourite. No, perhaps it’s the oil. Although now I come to look at the watercolour again…; May 6, 2007 4:29 PM
caseytoussaint said…: Wow, Ronell, these are great! My favorite is the oil – it ‘s so full of life.; May 6, 2007 5:09 PM
Lin said…: RONELL! STUNNING! GORGEOUS! PHENOMENAL WORK! MERCY … THIS IS TRULY OUTSTANDING!; May 6, 2007 5:35 PM
Claudia said…: I like the watercolour one the most! Wonderful work, all three are superb!; May 6, 2007 5:44 PM
Nina Johansson said…: hese are just lovely! Incredibly good, you captured Christeen perfectly!; May 6, 2007 7:01 PM
martín said…: Ronell, I absolutely agree with Christeen, you´re amanzingly talented!!! I can’t say I have a favourite, I can’t decide since I like the three of them very much. Each one has its own character. GREAT JOB!!!; May 6, 2007 7:45 PM
Sarah said…: Amazing paintings – isn’t it interesting how the different media seem to emphasise different aspects – they’re all alive and vital, but the watercolour shows a more reflective person, the oil brings that hint of mischief out more and in the charcoal drawing she looks more curious, almost about to challenge someone (I should say – that’s how they look to me anyway); May 6, 2007 8:45 PM
SCquiltaddict said…: Ronell THese are just super…they got better and better as i scrolled down the page…cant decide WHICH is my favorite…they are all MAGNIFICIENT!!; May 6, 2007 9:19 PM
Cathy (Kate) Johnson said…: Oh, Ronell, your charcoal is GORGEOUS, and so is Christeen!; May 6, 2007 9:21 PM
Cathy (Kate) Johnson said…: Ooops, graphite! You did such a rich, deep job with it I just assumed it was charcoal!Read ALL the words, Kate…*G*; May 6, 2007 9:23 PM
Silvia said…: All of the portraits are wonderful :), but I think I like the second one even best :))!; May 6, 2007 9:58 PM
Kristin Saegaert said…: Wow! I think I like the graphite the best, but with your amazing talent it’s really hard to commit to that!!! Thanks for sharing your art with us!; May 7, 2007 12:42 AM
Shelly McC said…: Stunning painting!; May 7, 2007 1:49 AM
Kay Cox said…: Ronell, these are just beautiful. I aspire to be able to paint like you someday. Thank you so much for sharing your lovely work. Lucky Christeen!; May 7, 2007 2:23 AM
bec said…: What a fun project! My favorite is the watercolor… nice play of light on the subject. Did Christeen draw you?; May 7, 2007 2:35 AM
Robin Neudorfer said…: I love the graphite drawing. So spontaneous. What a fun project; May 7, 2007 2:49 AM
Nancy said…: I love the graphite drawing and keep gong back to it (your model is beautiful by the way). I love to look at your site – I leave feeling inspired.; May 7, 2007 4:12 AM
Serena said…: These are awesome! I think my favourite is the graphite. 🙂; May 7, 2007 9:08 AM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you for all the comments -Sarah…thank you for being so observant..you’re spot on! I’m so glad you did see a littel of what I tried to do…see down below.Nancy: Yes I had a beautiful model to work with!Bec: and Christeen does have a snapshot of me, so when she has time, she’ll do one too.note: This was a very intimidating experience for me….doing a painting of someone you don’t know or haven’t met face to face, and in a weird sense is actually a friend(like you all would agree, I’m sure) and all you have to work with is a photograph – you haven’t seen some personal mannerisms, like how her mouth moves when she smiles, how she crinkles her nose, how she plays with a string of hair, how the light in her eye changes…anything that can give you an idea of something more than physical…. Normally I would’ve preferred to have Christeen’s face say something more than just displaying rendition, tell more of a story, but I didn’t feel confident enough to do that. Who knows, maybe our paths might cross and then I’ll redo these.
Ronell; May 7, 2007 9:15 AM
Regula Scheifele said…: So I’m going to chime in and say how much I admire your work and your courage as well… I couldn’t say which one I like the most, since they all have a different feeling to them, like showing different aspects of Christeen’s personality? – Would be interesting to know which one she thinks portrays her best?; May 7, 2007 9:29 AM
Ujwala said…: all three are wonderful but the oil is my favourite 😛 sounds like a fun project and i hope we can see christeen’s work too.; May 7, 2007 12:14 PM
Tonniece said…: OOOH, I LOVE THEM ALL RONELL, BUT I TRULY THINK THE GRAPHITE IS MY FAVE. I; May 7, 2007 12:35 PM
Sandy said…: WOW – big WOW you are a master (bowing down before you); May 7, 2007 3:52 PM
Robyn said…: I love the graphite one, Ronell. it looks so spontaneous and very much from life. That, I find, is terribly difficult to achieve from a photo which usually lends itself to a more formal portrait. You are very clever – I’m so in awe of the oil too!; May 7, 2007 6:30 PM
Fanta said…: I like the first one best, maybe because I love graphite, maybe because you truly did capture the child in her expression.
The last one truly looks like a lioness, even the twirls in the background resemble the presence of a lioness! Awesome!; May 7, 2007 9:49 PM
platitudinal said…: Truly amazing work. You’re not only attempting a likeness of her, but also her essence. That’s very difficult to capture, and yet you did. I think each medium emphasize more of certain characteristic, but all and all they’re all there. Superb job, Ronell.; May 7, 2007 10:02 PM
Carole said…: Well done – these are stunning! It’s so interesting seeing them done in three different media, and noticing how each gives a different feel. My favourite has to be the oil painting because I am such a huge fan of your luscious way with oils. Oh, to be able to paint like that!; May 7, 2007 11:16 PM
Anonymous said…: Hello I cant tell you how much your work has inspired me to practice daily and hope that someday I also will be able to turn out wonderful works of art. You are a wonderful artist and I thank-you for letting us see your work hear.
Linda; May 8, 2007 12:49 AM
mARTa said…: wow! how different they all are yet how smashing! Your blog is always a joy to the viewer!; May 8, 2007 2:13 AM
Renate said…: Wonderful. They all have there own charm. I love the eyes from the graphite one, but my favorite is the one in oil.; May 8, 2007 8:50 AM
wagonized said…: It is hard to tell which one strikes me the most — as each of them stresses something different about Christeen. Love her hair in the graphite one.
Thank you, Ronell, for your comments on my funk of the past few days. Your words, which i found on Suzanne’s blog, have stuck in my head ever since i read them. Yesterday, i just showed up at the page… 🙂; May 8, 2007 4:03 PM
Christeen said…: I keep coming back to marvel at these. I’ve never seen a drawing or painting of myself before, and I enjoy them SO much!Your graphite drawing really captures how my hair feels to me- men have lost watches in it! It can be incridibly difficult to coerce into submission!I love the loose, fresh approach in the watercolor. You’ve made the light SO beautiful- I feel like I’m outside, just looking at it. I am also impressed with how you kept the line of my nosering thin and delicate in the midst of those wonderful washes of color. You’ve got my squint wonderfully.And the oil- wow. The brushstrokes are really lively. Thje background supports your lionine take on my hair, and suggests wind tossing it around (and it was VERY windy the day I took that shot). The colors are luscious. The colors you’ve used for my skin are particularly impressive to me.So, all that said, thank you SO much for applying your creative talents to this swap of photos! You’ve inspired and impressed me, and I’m so glad we gave it a try.; May 8, 2007 7:56 PM
andrea joseph’s sketchblog said…: Great work Ronell – not just this post throughout your blog. These are great, I think I like the pencil one the best.; May 9, 2007 1:10 AM
aPugsLife-laserone said…: These are really fantastic! You’re so talented. 😀; May 9, 2007 6:37 AM
E-J said…: You’ve been so busy! You and Christeen have really taken this challenge by the horns. I think the oil is especially good.; ay 9, 2007 1:52 PM
Linda said…: These are all great! Christeen’s painting of you is wonderful, too — you two are cooking up some fun stuff! 🙂; May 11, 2007 4:18 AM
Anonymous said…: Come across to your blog and loved it. I will return.http://tcores.blogspot.com; May 11, 2007 2:40 PM
janey said…: These are great, I love the color and texture in the last one.; May 11, 2007 6:15 PM
Africantapestry said…: Thank you for all the generous comments!
Ronell; May 12, 2007 8:26 AM
phthaloblu said…: What a grand project! I love the graphite the best, but that’s just me. All of them are simply superb.

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