Ms M enjoying the holidays

My darling dog is enjoying have access to the house all day and being able to lounge about on the couches. So happy.

Evening sky with birds and bats

Gathering of the clan

We are ready to receive our first guest tomorrow. All the others will arrive on Friday. Another occasion to have family and friends together. So blessed.

Travels with our aunt

To introduce my nieces to different foods and flavours we 'travelled' to some countries around the world. I loved sourcing the recipes and compiling the menus, setting up the table and trying to make it 'real'. They received a passport at the beginning of the year that was 'stamped' and expires now in December. There was a lot of 'Wat is dit?' but lots of fun and laughter. The one they enjoyed the most was the New York street food theme. I loved all the food, not so such the alcoholic beverages, wow, some of them were strong and yucky. They are disappointed it's all over and asked if we had 'visited' every country in the world. No, sorry, we didn't. Maybe we'll do some more travelling next year, you just never know.

50 and 60

My one brother turned 60, and the other will be 50 in a number of days. Happy birthday to you two, love you both madly.

We celebrated with a family gathering in the southern Cape. What an awesome week.

We rented a house right on the beach. Good weather and bad weather, all in the same day. Long walks on the beach, country roads and mountain passes.

We came across a beached whale on morning, which was sad to see. He was already dead when he washed out.

Dolphin sightings almost ever day.

A very special time.

The Dutch girl

All good art is given a title. This plate is called the Dutch girl.

An earlier Christmas gift from my friend.

She is going to have an exhibition of her work next year.

Bring me flowers

Bring me flowers and I will be happy.

My family arrived on Sunday for lunch and gave me these beautiful flowers.

We had a wonderful day together. Table tennis, swimming, dominoes and lots of laughter.

On edge

We have had the most incredible amount of rain so far this summer. 135mm since mid November. Days without sunshine but well worth it.

The garden is looking incredible.

I an amazed how the droplets gather on some leaves and seem to hold their shape forever.

Georg Restaurant and Tea Garden

I met Georg a few months ago to discuss doing a logo design for his restaurant in Aberdeen. I did one logo option that was off brief and that is the one he chose. He has been a wonderful client. I have enjoyed the opportunity of working on this project.

Georg Restaurant and Tea Garden, opening 1 December 2017. 2 Murray Street, Aberdeen. Pop in if you're in the area.

Sunday walk

After seeing @delaneyartist's posts on Instagram every weekend I eventually dragged a friend with me to take a walk through the Wilds. Cut short by rain.

I see the mistakes on the image layout but I have deleted the original working file so I cannot correct it, sorry.

Saturday sun up

On Saturday morning I rushed to catch the sun rising behind the PWC building in Midrand. Of course, by the time I got there it was already too late the sun was already above the horizon and as bright as a searchlight. So I worked with what I got.

Although I was too late for the sunrise I was there before any shops opened or anyone was about so I also managed to shoot the chairs at the restaurant on the corner.

More books and a meal

I went into Exclusive books for one book, a gift for someone. I bought that book and another five for myself. What an extravagance! I have a pile of about 11 unread books at home.

So, having had that splurge I decided I might as well go the whole way and stay for a meal at the EB Social Kitchen and Bar. Reading a book while I wait. A great morning.

I love the colours, and the distortions reflected in the ceiling panel.

When in Paareeee

I follow 2summers on Instagram, although she is also on Facebook and has a very successful blog. I am a big fan of Instagram. I like pictures more than words, although I am writing words here (on my blog) that I am hoping someone will read. 

Anyhow, 2summers has been to some great places and I have added a few to my to-do list. She posted an image of her visit to Patisserie de Paris in Blairgowrie and  it looked like the kind of place I would enjoy. OMW, when they say they use the best ingredients, they really do and you can taste it. It was scrummy. I had the Croque Madame, and my intention had been to buy something at their bakery to take home but honestly, I was so satisfied that I couldn’t.

Love their colour scheme.

L'Atelier 2017

Last year I didn’t go to L’Atelier because the previous year had been so disappointing. Yes, Absa, I’m sorry but it’s the truth. This year was good, but there will always be the piece where you ask WT_? Sandwiches, come on.

The artist who presented the Mono Printing workshop had a piece on exhibition and he actually remembered me. I love his piece, very good. 

The food was so excellent, the lamb dish I could have eaten all night. The dessert cart looked amazing and tempting and had to be guarded by the chefs from the kitchen to the display area. People were following it, and attacking it like hyenas on an injured impala.

The entertainment included dancers, with their bodies painted, in some cases an extension of the artwork, or a copy of the artwork. There was one wonderful moment where a guest started dancing to the music  (You can dance until the night is done and it’s time to go, or something like that) next to this ‘human statue’  hoping to get some respose from her, she never batted an eyelid.

I put the video on Instagram and this was her response: Hahaha I was hoping I could find this ... I wanted to laugh so hard #StatueGurl

It was a wonderful evening, great vibe. Thanks for sharing it with me Liam.

Oh yes, Liam got all the winners to sign our boss' book. 

Three ladies

Trish keeps making things that I admire and then they come to live at my house. Like these three ladies. The one she embroidered, probably last year (maybe earlier this year) and was inspired by Frida, or inspired by a picture of Frida. In her pottery class she has made a range of oval plates with faces. She made some really gorgeous ones, and is making many more, although she is now using a round mould.

Sunday sunrise in Fourways

Mike and I went out early on another one of our photoshoots. It’s wonderful because you’re home again by eight o’clock and still have the whole Sunday ahead of you. We didn’t go far, just wanted to capture the cranes at the Fourways development against the sunrise. It had rained the night before and the clouds were still heavy with rain in the west. Mike shoots time-lapse, daybreak to day. I am just mucking about taking some photographs of my own. The first part seems so slow, a little pink on the horizon, then the clouds painted orange and purple. When you blink again the sun has sneaked up into the sky behind the clouds and it’s time for breakfast. Mmm, good food at Carmella’s.

Georg's house

Kay and I were invited to Georg's house for lunch. I had to take pics, the colours were so lovely.

Georg, yes, not George, is transforming a house in Aberdeen (Karoo not Scotland) into a restaurant, but more about that later.

Between Kaysers Beach and Igoda river mouth

I flew to East London. The flight is a can of sardines, full to the brim. But all good because soon I am at the beach.

Missing my brother on this flight with all his apps because I don't know what mines those are, what mountains, silos.

We fly over a thousand hills and they all have ridges on the south side.

Lots of rivers winding towards the sea, and the sea rushing up to greet them.

Most gorgeous drive down from the airport to Kaysers Beach. Sun setting, fields, the cows, rivers. Delightful.

This is how I came to be in Kaysers Beach: on the Woolworths tub of butter they describe that it is made from the milk of cows in the Eastern Cape between Kaysers Beach and Igoda river mouth. I didn't know where it was so I looked it up and then went to see it for myself. I 

I went for long walks on the beach, high dunes, an icy wind whips up the sand and stings my legs. There was never another soul visible, no other footprints. The sea, the sky and I. Bliss.

By 08:00 I have completed my required daily steps. Breakfast (oats) at my little cottage, sitting on the stoep, gazing at the sea. Then out in the car to explore the area. 

I drove to Kidds Beach for another long walk and happened upon a baptism on the beach, wonderful. It was such a cold day but they seemed not to care. The pastor told me they have faith that they will not get sick. Lots of shells to pick up.

Lovely little restaurant on the corner, overlooking the sea, with a roaring fire. Lunch and coffee.

Next stop Nahoon Reef walkway in East London. And onto the beach there. Drove down into the harbour and found the fisherman's fish and chip shop on the river bank. Crowds of locals, that's how you can tell it's good food.

The next day it's much the same pattern. 

I take a book with me and spend some time at the restaurant reading. Explore the roads that take you to the river mouths, there are so many. Some are single lane paths and steep, some just end long before the river mouth.

Drive along the dirt roads on either side of the main road looking for the cows that make the milk that makes the Woolworths butter. Find a tiny little church and a house in ruins in a large open field with the sunset as backdrop.

Yes, I find plenty of cows. The farms and the fields, it all seems so romantic. I had always wanted to live on a farm, but alas...

More of the same on another day and pizza for dinner on the beach. 

Back to the airport, and back home. 

Thank you for an an unexpected adventure.

Mono printing workshop

I really only go onto Facebook for possible ideas for the weekend. I follow Print on Paper and saw they were offering a Mono Printing workshop. 

I thought it was a one colour print, so I prepared all my artwork accordingly. But no, it was not that at all - it’s the one, single print of  whatever you create on the silkscreen. The medium you execute the artwork in must be water-based so it will transfer to paper. 

There were some amazing artists there, doing some beautiful work, some experimenting that turned out very well. My vision and the execution did not line up, but that’s nothing new. I had great fun though, wonderful to explore something new, make the shift from your preconceived idea to reality, adapting to the medium. a long day from some reward and some disappointment. The disappointments are in the trash.

Bougainvillea summer

I’s early summer and the bougainvillea is just awesome. 

Everywhere you go it appears in the most vibrant of colours. My brother has this yellow/golden bougainvillea that is breathtaking. 

In my own garden the cerise is so intense that it is tinting the walls pink, inside and out, and adds a blush to your skin as you pass by. The confetti of fallen petals has collected on the garden floor and has created a soft carpet. Very pretty.

Walks on the beach

My brother and I had to travel to the Southern Cape for a family matter. Not the greatest of circumstances but it gave us some time together which we haven’t really had for the longest time. Last time we spent 3 - 4 days together, on our own, was 30 years ago when we went to Londolozi. It is wonderful to have the time to spend with a sibling who is also your best friend.

We had early morning walks on the beach, collected shells, saw dolphins, had good lunches and tasty braais for dinner at our brother’s house.

This was in June. I should have made some notes on my thoughts and feelings then. Now, all these months later, and with so much that has happened since I cannot connect to the sentiment of the trip.

However, see below the awesome pics.

15 minutes from the airport to the beach

My brother was driving and I was just taking pictures. It was a wonderful time of day, the lighting and the mood were perfect.

Asleep between the earth and the sea

If you have seen this before then just ignore this entry. I have looked for it and can’t find it so I must assume that I did not post it.

Earlier this year I went through a tie-dye phase. I had seen a really lovely throw at Weylandts and thought: Hmm, I can do that. Or course when you’re inspired by something you shouldn’t copy it but have to change it up so you can claim it as your own work. I used earthy colours and blues (Weylandts was a navy blue wash) and this is the result. It is reversable, the one side more earthy, the other side more blue. Pillowcases to match.

Someone saw it on Instagram and wanted me to make them a set, but I didn’t. The cost, without the labour, is very expensive and at that price they would be better off shopping at Weylandts. 

I am a fan of Weylandts products and vision.

Smeagol

This is Smeagol, my friend’s cool cat. Smeagol lives a life of pampering, comfort and love. 

I made the artwork up from a photograph I took.

Don't trust boys

Some wisdom comes too late. I drove past a woman walking down the road, she was wearing a blue t-shirt stretched over her pregnancy with the slogan: Don't trust boys.

Offices you might like

Mike was contracted to do a shoot at the FB offices. I wanted to see the interior and so he let me tag along, I was to be his 'assistant'. We weren't allowed to post the images before the launch. I only took a few stills because I was carrying a video camera around the rest of the time. Nice time out of the office, fun to do something different. Like this page if you want ;-)

The last pots

So, yes, I am defeated and have given up pottery. My failure rate was too demotivating to continue. We're looking at 25/75% imbalance. I do wish I could have conquered it. There was this vision of all these awesome things I wanted to accomplish but my hands and technique could not give it shape. Sadly. Trish had to glaze my last few pots that I left behind, thanks Trish.

Wrapping paper design

I took a picture of the flame tree, to be honest I don't know what it is called, just that it is pretty.
I played around in Photoshop and created wrapping paper.
The top section is the original image and then below on the pink is the wrapping paper.

Exhibition in Mellville

We attended a photographic exhibition in Mellville a few weeks ago, about Mellville. The images were black and white, it always makes for great drama.
I took a few images in Mellville myself, while we were there.

Learn the language 1: VUUR EN VLAM

Afrikaans is a wonderfully descriptive language. There is no translation that can do justice to the expression: vuur en vlam. Learn the language!



Artwork created by © Liam Longland, 2017.

English breakfast at No. 5

So there are no images of the great English breakfast because we didn't want to share it. It was yummy - fried eggs and bacon, toast and marmalade, coffee.

Anyhoo, then we sat outside on the patio, chatting, enjoying the crisp winter morning.

Took some photographs and I said I was going to put them on my blog. Trish said it was fine, I said: they're my photographs, she said: it's my house. Fair enough.

Here are the pics with kind permission of Trish ;-)