After the Rain

I'm on a roll here! I'm really enjoying painting these new ideas in this series ("Life in the Northern Cape"). I was inspired by a photo I took of these two ladies who were walking just outside a town called Christiana as we were driving back to Postmasburg from Jo'burg. I also had to throw in the tree, which is not just any tree, it is a Witgatboom (or for the English translation - the Shepherd Tree) which is a protected species.

I have named this "After the Rain" because of the awesome 'wet' texture and feel my paint and brushes made for the ground area. It looks like it's just rained to me. One of the things of the Groen Kalahari is the beautiful golden light that radiates across God's creation about an hour before the sun sets. I tried to capture that golden hour with the brightly saturated colours. I feel that the bright colours also give the painting a sense and feeling of hope, new beginnings.

After the Rain
Life in the Northern Cape Series
(Size: 800mm x 600mm. Acrylic on Canvas)

Please note that this artwork has been sold.

All content and images copyright © Christy Tempies, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Iron Workhorse

I have been quite inspired by my previous windmill painting and a good friend here in Postmasburg, to do a series now of what I should call the 'Op Die Plaas Series', until I come up with a better name for them! (Additional note from 23 November 2010: I have a better name now than that one, it is "Life in the Northern Cape").

This tractor was from one of the reference pictures that I took in a little town called Olifantshoek, one Sunday afternoon. My husband and I stumbled upon a scrapyard of tractors and a variety of other metal things that were interesting, whilst exploring the small town. It's always good to keep your camera on hand as a creative person, because you never know when you might come across something interesting that needs recording for future use!

I started off with similar base colours as The Windmill painting: a combination of browns, greys and that bright aqua blue that I love so much. I really like what is happening with the right rear wheel. That is just a few simple yet effective brush strokes that create the form of the wheel. It is only effective because the brushstrokes and colours are placed in the 'right' place - it is visually pleasing and correct giving you an impression of the real thing. This is one of the key elements that separates the true talented artists from the average hobby painter when it comes to creating a master piece. Not that I am on the level of anyone famous yet... but I am working on it.

The Iron Workhorse
Life in the Northern Cape Series
(Size: 800mm x 600mm. Acrylic on canvas.)

Please note that this artwork has been sold.

All content and images copyright © Christy Tempies, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Windmill

I have just completed this painting today. I started it a couple of weeks ago when I was inspired by a rustic and crudely welded model windmill that my husband and I bought on the side of the road in Postmasburg. Because it was such a beautiful, sunny day I decided I had to start this painting on the grass outside. I got my paints, my water jars, my canvas and the windmill and plonked myself on the small piece of grass outside our house. It was so awesome.

After about an hour or two of painting, I realised it was missing something. So I left it for a few days to let it settle and to let my mind relax because I could feel myself tensing up. This is not a good thing for me because when I tense up, I then mess up the painting by either overworking it or wanting to destroy it because it's not turning out how I would've liked it to. It really helps just to let it stand for a few days.

Then after a few days, I remembered this 600ml tube of Burnt Sienna that I had bought by mistake (I usually buy Raw Sienna) and had kept it because I thought I should increase my range of colours in my palette. I had just been using some of the Burnt Sienna in an illustration and thought that it would compliment the aqua/turquoise colour quite nicely. So I bravely added the colour, hoping that it would be an improvement - and it was! I then added reds and yellows and more Raw Sienna. It landed up being more vibrant than what I expected.

Would be great to hear your comments!

The Windmill
Life in the Northern Cape Series
(Size: 600mm x 700mm. Acrylic on canvas.)

Please note that this painting has been sold. Visit my website: http://www.christytempies.co.za
All content and images copyright © Christy Tempies, 2011. All rights reserved.

So today is my birthday. I got really spoilt by my lovely husband and family. Thanks everyone for your birthday wishes. My Dad made me this awesome "card" that landed up turning into a framed piece of art that I thought I would share with you. You are an inspiration Dad! Check out his website on www.peterfincham.co.za - he is a fantastic artist :)