Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Africa. Show all posts

Monday, 31 July 2017

Looking back - August 2010

I started writing Art Matters towards the end of August, 2010 when my move to Australia was becoming a reality. (I had applied for a visa back in February 2008) It follows that around this time of the year I become nostalgic. I thought I would revisit some of the posts that I enjoyed writing as well as those you enjoyed reading too.

When I began the blog I knew nothing and had to learn everything along the way, including how to add photographs. 

My second post  on Art Matters 'Deciding to Move'   sets the scene...I've added a favourite painting from that year. It's the view from my daughter's farm across the Barbeton Valley to the Kaapse Hoop mountains.

Thursday, 26 August 2010


Deciding to move.

Towards Kaapse Hoop - oil on canvas  760 mm x 915 mm

In May 2008, I made the decision to relocate to Brisbane, Australia. Now, over two years later, the move is becoming a reality. It's strange to be in neither one place nor another and it's almost as though one's life is in limbo.

Although I studied art at high school and later trained as an art teacher, most of my life has been spent following other career options - more out of circumstance than a specific plan. I have been amongst other things: a landscape gardener; a mosaic artist; a book illustrator; and at one time junior and high school
teacher teaching a variety of subjects - English, Maths, and History.
For the last 12 years I have been the owner of a retail shop that has no connection with the "art world"
at all.

I taught art formally for relatively short periods, but have lectured and demonstrated for numerous
art groups. Although  making art has had to be done alongside other occupations, and has often taken
a back seat, I've learnt to be very productive in short bursts when a gap appeared in my day.

I plan to change this and now, eventually, do what I love - paint, draw and teach art.



Saturday, 7 December 2013

Travelling in South Africa

Evening sky

Some images of this beautiful country...

These were taken last Friday soon after my arrival in South Africa on the drive from the airport to Potchefstroom in North West Province. Love seeing this familiar countryside again.

 

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

The last term of 2013

Days and weeks come and go as the year speeds to its end. In two months’ time I will be on my way to South Africa to visit my family there - a long time - three years since I saw them last. How good it will be to catch up with everyone?

In the meantime it’s back to the daily routine. The Studio will open for classes next week as we start the last term of the year.

Classes are on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm. 
The classes are small so each artist can pursue their favourite medium. I have some people drawing only; others work in watercolour, acrylic or oils.

There will also be a couple of workshops before the end of term. More details on these will be posted on this blog.

There are some places available on Thursday and Friday so let me know if you are interested and I can send you more information.

A couple of commissions have kept me busy during the break. This painting was such fun. My client had recently built a Pizza oven on his patio and wanted something different for the wall.

I enjoyed including all the delicious ingredients that make a good pizza, and of course a glass of red was mandatory.I have been assured he won’t be charging his friends when they call round for a pizza!

Dotto's Pizza - acrylic on canvas - © 2013 Carol Lee Beckx
Please forgive the shine on the RH side of the painting - the black was a beast to photograph and beyond my meagre skills!


Wednesday, 19 September 2012

One Hundred Posts



It's taken me a while to get there but this post marks the 100th since I started this blog. 



                           Work in Progress Detail: Nymphea - oil on canvas - Carol Lee Beckx ©2012 



In the intervening time I have:

  • Sold and packed up a house 
  • Sold my share of a family business
  • Bade farewell to family and friends
  • Moved continents - South Africa to Australia
  • Discovered many inspiring blogs and made virtual friends worldwide
  • Moved into my new home
  • Set up my studio
  • Started art classes
  • Built and planted a garden (with help from my kind son-in-law)
  • Learnt to swop some words i.e. "jumper" instead of "jersey" and  some new expressions  "no worries, mate"
  • Painted a number of paintings 
  • Won a few prizes 
  • Set up an Etsy site and made a sale
  • Made so many new friends - and this is the part that really makes me feel at home. 
Thank you, Australia for the warm welcome.


The image is a work in progress. I started this painting shortly before I received the Paris commission. 

It's been great fun to splash out in full colour.