a is for animal

Here are some photo's taken by us on holiday:
this fellow below is a warthog (Vlakvark in Afrikaans because it is a pig -vark- found on the savanna - vlakte), very funny animals. They have manes and legs like deer and when they run their tails are like aerials. Oh and they have a face that only a mother can love.

We've rented a house in a reserve where the animals can come on your doorstep, and it is not advised to take a walk ;-)

This here is a kudu (Koedoe in Afrikaans), very shy and impressive animal. The females don't have horns. They're found in areas with shrubs and when the males flee they put their heads up so their horns lay on their backs and don't get tangled in the branches.

Isn't this cute: Hippo family basking in the sun. Hippo's are called seekoeie in Afrikaans (seacow), I think it has something to do with the Nile river looking like the sea and them looking like big cows. Maybe it is from "look! I see a cow in the water?" Though "hippo" is the stem word for the Greek word for horse..... so a river horse would have been a better word though of course then we get totally confused! lol

I've been busy the whole day painting linnen bags, 3 of them, and one tablecloth. Now I have to go and finish another tablecloth....

Sunflowers in May

Yes, usually sunflowers are seen in August,

I must know because then it is my birthday

and I'm spoiled rotten with these sunny flowers!

I work as a volunteer for an organisation called the "Zonnebloem"

the Dutch word for sunflower.

The Zonnebloem visit people who tend to isolate or are isolated from social contacts because of sickness or old age. They started a new campaign in May and asked beginning of this year if there are volunteers and guests(people who are visited) who are interested to be "models" and if so to send a photo. I sent mine in a funny mood and got picked.

As I've never done a photo shoot before (or anyone else for that matter) I was quite nervous and as always got picked as the first to be captured for ever. To help myself to relax I made funny jokes which helped the rest to relax and we've had a great afternoon.

On the photo at the top the theme is: young and old

we took the photo in a park and 2 ladies passing by thought we were getting married lol!

If you're Dutch please click here and support the Zonnebloem

by joining in the lottery

or by sending a card

or maybe you know someone who can do with a visit.

Usually I'm the paparazzi taking the photo's on holiday and at home, so I have actually terribly few evidence that I've ever been outside my room. No, I don't even have photo's taken in my room, silly you!

My husband refuses to take photo's on commando as it is my vision it is my job to take them he recons.

So now I don't care if the Zonnebloem uses my photo's in a folder, as a thumbnail or on a billboard...

I've received them all on CD and have nothing to complain anymore!

My husband got away this time ;-)

Production: producing products

I've been busy and I'll be busy this week:

Saturday will be my first participation in an Art market so I'll have to make sure the people won't come in vain ;-)

I've drawn 7 black and white pieces and are now painting them with acryl paint. They're a bit different than what I'm usually doing but a lot of fun and no effort as the idea have been in me for quite a while now.

I'll show you some:

All I have to do now is the fun part: colouring ;-) with acryl paint

I'll keep you posted

JIT

Finished just in time!

I've received an order for 2 paintings from my webshop while on holiday.

The one was a delivery from stock the other a request to paint the cow and sheep for the buyer's son, his room has the colours yellow and purple in it.

I've managed to get it on the post today, really hope she will be impressed with the bundle of sunlight ;-)

It is 30x30cm as requested and I've added gold and silver for the finer touches.

I've painted it with acryl paint and the sheep have some added texture like they should have, lol!

Ok, just wanted to share.

South Africa

Yes, it has been a while since my last post...
but I have a good reason: we've been to South Africa to visit my parents, family and friends and you know before visits there is the presents to be bought, clothes to buy/get in order, the house, the dog, etc.
Oh and I've finished the Waterbuck for my mother.

Waterbuck:Oil painted

50x40x1.5cm

I've finished that eye of his (females don't have horns)

I've painted the Sable antelope for my father for his 65th birthday.

(I actually added the finishing touches at my parents' home!)
Oil painted50x40x1.5cm

And here is his eye (only the males turn black)

Ok, I'll share some photo's I've taken in South Africa the coming days.

PS. We actually saw a couple of Waterbuck while on holiday safari.