Proteas with a Jug at Rotary Art Spectacular 2019

Proteas with a Jug - oil and cold wax on panel 40 cm x 40 cm 

I am delighted that this little painting will be part of the Rotary Art Spectacular 2019. The exhibition opens on Monday evening - details below in a screen shot from the website.

I have written about the process of this painting in an earlier post which you can find here. I so enjoyed painting it and am so pleased with the result - I just love the colours. It’s really satisfying when everything just “works”. Although as you will have read in the post there were a few obstacles along the way.

Two more of my paintings are part of the Online Exhibition. There were so many entries this year so I am happy to have a painting selected to hang in the show. Once the online catalogue is on the website I’ll add a link here.

Transition - oil and cold wax on canvas 90 cm x 90 cm 

Digital Painting

Over the last couple of years I have become more and more fascinated wit h digital painting. I still have a lot to learn and try to expand my use of new digital brushes with each new painting. This painting started out as an oil painting on canvas. It had been started some time ago and then left while I went on to paint other images. I hauled it out of storage to re-work it and complete the painting. Photographing work in progress provides a way to assess the quality. I loaded this photograph to Procreate and then I realised that since the entries for the Rotary Exhibition were now open to digital images there was nothing to stop me submitting a digital painting. 

Time and Space - digital painting - suggested size: 60cm x 60 cm. 

Since this is a digital print on archival paper, the size can be altered to suit your requirements. Alternatively the painting can be printed on to a stretched canvas and would then require no framing. 

Hamilton Road Studio - Term 2 2019

Art Classes Hamilton Road Studio

Please note that the Classes are suitable for adults

22/960 Hamilton Road, McDowall 4053

• Tuition in drawing, watercolour, acrylics and oils is offered
• During each class there will be some demonstration of technique as well as individually mentored tuition.
• Classes are small (Max 6) so each participant can work in their chosen medium and at their own pace.
• Students should be prepared to enroll for a term (usually 10 weeks).
• Since my Studio is small, casual classes i.e. pay per attendance cannot be offered. 
• For full details and Terms and conditions, please email Carol - carolbeckx@bigpond.com

Reviews from artists attending the Studio.

One of the artists wrote this in an email to me after a painting was accepted for the Rotary Art Spectacular Exhibition:

"Hi Carol

I’m so excited just to have my art accepted .

Your mentor ship over the years has been invaluable Thanks Carol and looking forward to my projects for next term." 

And this lovely email came from another artist...

Good morning Carol,

Just wanted to pop you an email to tell you about my experiences at your studio.

When I started art classes at your Studio 5 years ago I hoped that your classes would reignite my interest in painting.  I had dabbled with painting in high school and a few classes when my children were young but had not pursued it any further than that.  I have learnt so much from you….. I love that each student in your class is encouraged to pursue their own ‘style’.  I love that we, as a group, encourage and learn from each other. I enjoy the little talks or mini lectures you give on a different style or artist and how your classes are not just about the actual painting but also about the ‘love of art’ .  So good for the soul.  

When I started 5 years ago I had hoped to achieve certain things.  I have done this and more.  I thank you for sharing your knowledge with me ....

Annie Wilson Lee nee Ross

Over the last few months I have been starting my day by doing some writing. It’s a way to focus my thoughts. Sometimes the words are stream of consciousness, usually its a time to plan or reflect. Occasionally the writing is a place to vent. 

This morning was different, April 20th was my mother’s birthday - she would have been 108 today so memories of her were strong. After writing in my journal, I decided that I would share these memories with you. She was always my staunch supporter, she encouraged my art and approved of everything I tried. The epitome of unconditional love.

Annie Wilson Ross, known always as Nancy, was a very special person - kind, generous and talented in many skills. I think of all those crocheted tablecloths that many family members still have and use. I can still see her sitting in her favourite arm chair (I’m sitting in the same chair as I write this) hands busy with the crochet hook as she fashioned each separate medallion. These were later sewn together to make huge tablecloths. 

When we lived in Kokstad, South Africa, I remember her making and icing wedding cakes. These were decorated with elaborate roses, leaves and trellis work all made with fine lines of Royal icing piped on to tracing paper and left to dry before being carefully added to the cake. Usually these had three tiers - how I wish a had a photograph of one of these to show you!

A rare photo of Nancy with her hair down. This was taken on board ship dressed up for a fancy dress which she and my Father won. 

Nancy was feisty too, and didn’t suffer fools. She would often return from a meeting (she served on a number of committees) exasperated by something or someone.

She loved arranging flowers, but soon found herself working as an organiser of flower shows ensuring the smooth running of these rather than doing the arrangements. She was a good person to have on a committee because she was a worker and would simply get things done. 

In her younger years, she was an expert marksman and later played a mean game of golf - I have a number of her silver teaspoons - trophies from various tournaments.

For as long as I can remember she had the same hairstyle - swept off her face in waves and always an “up” style. I can’t imagine her any other way.

I was one of three children, the afterthought, a third child after almost ten years. I’ll never really know if I was a ‘mistake’ or not but I was made to feel special and was very close to my mother. 

Nancy was a star baker. My children, wisely, would turn to her not me when they needed cakes for school. Her fruit cakes were sublime, and cheese muffins were melt-in-the-mouth good. She even indulged my father by laboriously making him green mango atchar (she never ate it) which he and I would enjoy. I still have her recipe book although I have had to rewrite some of the recipes because they were more like quick notes and a little short on detail. 

After Dad passed away, she continued to live with us in the Granny flat we had built for them the previous year. Nancy remained with us until her death in 1996. In all that time I do not recall ever being at odds with her. She was always there for the whole family, a constant kind and loving presence. 

Twenty three years on and I still miss her terribly.