FRESHLY CUT FLOWERS

SOLD ~ oil on canvas

For this piece, I set out to push the intensity between cool and warm, highlight and shadow and am pleased with the result. There is an overall happy, sunny moment captured, and that is exactly how I feel at present!

LEMONS IN CLOCHE

SOLD

My friend, Mari gave me this cloche for my birthday this year which she bought on a visit to her daughter in France. I love that I can put anything in it and not only cake which never lasts longer that the trip from the oven to the nearest plate!

TOMATOES OF PROVENCE

THIS PAINTING IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Oil on Canvas 11" X 14"

This fresh Provincial painting is reminiscent of all things French. My husband brought these fresh tomatoes home last night and once I saw it I knew it was going to land up in my painting today! I plonked it down on the kitchen chair, as I was baking bread and there was nowhere else in the kitchen for it to go!
I love the strong contrast of red against blue and the lovely topiary which is one of many in my house!

PEONIES IN FRENCH PITCHER

SOLD

It was a sunny day on the Monterey peninsula today, and the sun shone beautifully through my bedroom window onto this white pitcher and peonies. Just had to capture this warm, inviting little scene!

LUCA

                                                                                    SOLD                                                    oil on canvas

A tender rendition of my daughter Luca, whom I have captured as the sun shone on her through a sky light. I think what makes this painting successful is that the focus point is where the strongest highlight and lowlight meet.

LEMONS IN DELFT

SOLD ~ oil on canvas

This is a lovely French Style painting I did of a few lemons I got from my friend's garden. The strong, warm yellows are beautifully set off against the dark, delft blues. This painting will go well in any home as it is a classic piece with strong colors and warm tones.

LYONS HEAD GALLERY

SOLD

This one of my most recent paintings I did of the gallery in Carmel Valley,CA, LyonsHead which represent my work.

The gallery has a beautiful water feature of lions' heads with a creeping rose bush hanging from above. I loved the scene, composition and colours and just had to paint it!

NEDERBURG PINOTAGE

This is a very special painting, inspired by my beloved country's unique Pinotage, a red wine variety which originated in South Africa. 
My mother brought a bottle as a gift from my brother on her last visit to me in Carmel, California.

 Nederburg is a beautiful wine estate in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands and I am so pleased to have captured a part of it in this painting.

POMEGRANATE

SOLD

This is a daily painting of a pomegranate in warm reds, perfect for this time of year!

PEONIES AND PLUMS

oil on canvas ~ SOLD

These peonies grew outside my home in Cape Town and I so miss those wintery, rainy mornings when I used to pick a few branches from the tree outside my front door to decorate the entrance hall. This painting celebrates my special memories. The somber greens of the background set the pinks off vibrantly and I just love the way it turned out.

SHABBY CHIC ROSES

Oil on Canvas ~ SOLD

Such a sweet painting with roses neither here nor there. Love how it has turned out after a 30 day stint of a painting a day!

My latest painting in a series of truly French inspired works. I mainly want to depict the touch of sunlight on fresh fruit which reminds of a lazy morning in the South of France! Hence the grain sack dish cloth! I did, however, get this fabulous vase from my brother Frans when I visited South Africa in June, and absolutely L O V E it!

DAILY BREAD

oil on canvas

For a few months now, I have been baking a ciabatta everyday, and one of the few things my husband I enjoy together is the odd glass of  Carmel Hills Winery's Pinot Noir with some lovely cheeses and of course the bread of all breads. You can get the recipe for the bread on my Cuisine page!

Love,

POMEGRANATE PLATE

I love the warmth of this ancient fruit and tried to capture it by using a warm undertone as well as warm high lights. This little work is latest in a series of pomegranate paintings which I am studying at present.

MARAAI SE GRANATE

Maraai is my friend, Mari, who lives here in California, complete with a pomegranate tree in her garden! Not only has she given me the fruit and the stand for Christmas, but also her mom, Berna, as a friend to me, for whom this painting was done. She will be taking it with her, when she leaves for South Africa tomorrow, where she lives in Blouberg Strand! I am blessed to have them both in my life and so happy to have been able to give Berna this painting as a small appreciation for being the special mother of my dear friend Maraai.

o x o

POMEGRANATE STUDIES

POMEGRANATE STUDY I

SOLD

This is the first of My Daily Painting Series. I started this venture by painting a few organic Pomegranates my dearest friend,Mari Hugo, let me have from her garden! 

SOLD

Here, detail of economic brush strokes.

POMEGRANATE STUDY II

SOLD

The second painting which I am planning to paint every day. These paintings reflect my love for all things French. 

SOLD

More detail of the cut open pomegranate.

I will be posting a painting a day from now on, so hope you will keep up with me!!!

o x o

ORANGES AND ROSES

Oil on Canvas ~ SOLD

Oranges and Roses is a painting I so enjoyed doing as it is really is a reflection of my personality. I love the warm light on the oranges, captured on a special Californian winter's day!

DUMINY GIRLS

Camps Bay Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, must be one of the most beautiful places to be at sunset, and this is when I captured my dear friend, Ingrid Duminy's daughters and niece. The painting now hangs in their beautiful Bishopscourt home. Love the painting, love the girls and especially love their mom!

A PENNY FOR HER THOUGHTS

Oil on Canvas ~ SOLD

My dearest South African friend, Penny Haig, bought this painting from me before I moved to the USA. It is a snapshot depiction of my kids at play on Campsbay Beach. I am not sure who I miss most, my friend or my kids at this age!!!

The painting has rich impasto brush strokes, emphasizing the transition between the warm and cool colours, which in turn, creates a lively, sunny rendition of a very special moment of kids on the beach.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did painting it!

o x o

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF MY PAINTING GIVE AWAY!!!

Christine Williams with the winning painting!

Congratulations to the lucky winner, Christine Williams. She entered my Give Away and really expressed her love for my work in such a special way that I felt she deserved to win it. I wish I could have given away more paintings, as there were so many wonderful comments on my work. Next time!

Lots of love,

MORNING ROOIBOS TEA

Oil on Canvas                        Morning Rooibos Tea                                36x40

This is a self portrait, depicting me enjoying my beloved Rooibos tea, soaking in the last few rays of summer sun. Most of my painting ideas I pen down in the leather bound book in the foreground while contemplating my next dish, sewing project or piece of furniture to be rescued from obscurity. 

o x o 

PLACE NAME canvas & easels

Thanksgiving place name

So, how cute is this??? These are the most versatile and not to mention darling little paintings! I paint anything that might match your decor, crockery or season.

Love these miniature topiaries, go with A N Y T H I N G! 

And just for fun, I make these very cute, very eco, both great centre piece and conversation piece!

This little chalkboard comes with a quaint ribbon to add extra flair to your special table. All of these can be bought from my shop. 

Until next week,

Much love,

x x x

c e c i l i a