My Site's Live, Check It Out!

Hey everybody, I'm happy to announce that my website is up and running! Check It Out!
It's main focus will be on creating a portfolio and promoting a cohesive body of work. 
I truly enjoyed working on the animations and putting the overall look of the site together, if you have any thoughts on it, I'd love to hear them.

All my latest paintings and creative projects will still be posted here on my blog, so if you'd like to be current with what's happening on my side of the world, you're all good to go.

Nostalgic Treat - Koeksisters

Here's a heavily textured and rustic painting of a traditional South African koeksister which are an all time South African favourite. It's pronounced cook-sister and it's pretty much a braided doughnut that's socked in syrup, usually they are a bit longer in length but they come in these bite sized versions too. I guarantee that despite their sweetness, one just isn't enough.;D If you wish to try your hand at making koeksisters, here's the South African MasterChef recipe.

Nostalgic Treat - Zoo Biscuits

I've been back in Cape Town for a few weeks now and I've been indulging in all my favorite South African foods. One of these nostalgic treats are called Zoo biscuits. I chose to paint the cookie with a springbok design on it because it's South Africa's national animal. At some point in the past the designs became unrecognizable but I'm glad to see that they have since improved and now include more animal designs. 

  

Bitter Sweet July

The past 6 months have been a complicated whirlwind of farewells, preparations and teaching because come end of July I'll be saying goodbye to Japan and moving back to Cape Town, South Africa. I've enjoyed teaching English in Japan on the JET programme but after three years, it's time to move on to new goals and an exciting new chapter.

Between all the preparations and teaching this past week, I managed to get my hands on my watercolours again to paint a cup of tea which belongs to one of my favourite teachers. We both love art and I've enjoyed our friendship, sharing interesting teas and treats with each other. It makes a bitter sweet goodbye present.

Monthly Muse - December

Here is December's monthly muse painting and poem collaboration for the Wide Island View magazine. I painted a yellow bellied fly-catcher.
Painted with Holbein watercolour paints on Wirgman 320 cold press watercolour paper.

Merry Christmas 2016!

Hello and Merry Christmas!

Despite my lack of Christmas spirit this year I ended up painting some holly for one of my school's vice prinsiples. Perhaps once the school holidays start I'll be able to relax more.

I took this painting as a chance to try a different technique with the way I approach highlights. I went for an obvious speckled effect with the masking fluid. I think it was a successful experiment, I'll see if I can use it more in my own paintings.

Monthly Muse - October

  

October 

So I've joined the JET run Wide Island View webzine team as a monthly art contributor. I was lucky to illustrate the Editor-in-Chief, Akilah Bel's beautiful poem. Click here to read Aki(Autumn) Looms.

I go this idea from Dice Tsutsumi from the amazing studio Tonko House.  He does a similar thing where every month both him and his mother collaborate on an illustrated poem for a Japanese magazine. His mother writes the poems and Dice illustrates them. Here is an example of their work.

30 Days of Watercolour - Japanese Summer Collection

My Japanese Summer Collection

Yesterday was a big day for me, I completed the 30 Days of Watercolour challenge!
I've been blown away by the amazing support and encouragement I've received throughout this project. I can't express how thankful I am for that. I've absolutely loved sharing my watercolours everyday and I thank everyone who was kind enough to join me on this 30 day journey!

I encourage you to keep an eye out, I have more plans and ideas that I wish to explore and can't wait to get start on them. In the mean time I've compiled all 30 watercolours in one image, feel free to select the days which interest you on the side bar for more information.

I've learned so much on this project! I have amazing friends who were kind enough to share their experiences and knowledge with me. Jessica, Desirae and Chris, thank you!

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 30

Day 30 - Daruma Doll

I did it! _(_  ^  _)/  We've reached day 30 and I'm beyond happy.
Before I started this 30 day challenge my good friend gave me a small daruma doll. I coloured in one of the eyes with the goal in mind, to complete this 30 day challenge. Today I can finally colour-in the other eye as I have achieved what I set out to do! That's why I've painted a completed daruma doll.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 29

Day 29 - Peacock Blue Holbein Paint 

Seeing as watercolours have been a huge part of my summer I feel it's only fitting to paint a watercolour paint tube. This striking colour is Peacock Blue and comes from a special Holbein artist collaboration colour set by Yuko Higuchi. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 27

Day 27 - Hiroshima Carp Baseball Cap

Baseball is a big sport in Japan and Hiroshima loves their Carp baseball team. Today I painted my Carp baseball cap.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days pf Watercolour - Day 26

Day 26 - Kumamon

The quirky Kumamoto mascot's fame reaches all prefectures in Japan. His face can be seen on fresh produce packaging in most supermarkets. Kumamon is my spirit animal. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 25

Day 25 - Asahi Beer

It's day 25 and there are five more paintings to go! I'm having a great time painting everyday and sharing them with everyone but man, I need a drink!>___<


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 22

Day 22 - Gashapon Neko Atsume Toy

So, yesterday I painted a mystery gashapon and today I've painted it's contents! This gashapon was from a Neko Atsume themed machine. Neko Atsume loosely means collecting cats. After three tries and 300 yen later, I finally got the cat I wanted!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 21

Day 21 - Gashapon

Oh, how I love gashapon! Gashapon are capsules that are dispensed randomly. The prizes are usually little toys, keychains or figurines and in Japan you can gets some really cute and arb things.
Tomorrow I'll be painting the mystery contents of this gashapon! 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 20

Day 20 - Ebi Nigiri

What would a Japanese summer be without some sushi?! I painted ebi nigiri which is prawn that's been placed on a small bed of sticky rice with a bit of wasabi.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 19

Day 19 - Watermelon

 

When I think of watermelon, Christmas by the pool side comes to mind. Watermelon in Japan is rather pricey, so I only buy it for a special treat.    

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 17

Day 17  - Cup of Coffee

I'm the kind of girl who likes her hot cup of coffee even in summer. I really don't think I could get through the day without one.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 8

Day 8 - Japanese Green Gum

Green is a pleasant colour to look at.:) Those who know me know well that I have a strong liking for the colour green. Sap Green, Kelly green and Hooker's Green. The name doesn't matter, I love them all. Much to my delight, my favorite gum in Japan just so happens to be called Green Gum! I really liked looking at my watercolour pallet once I was done painting.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.