Goodbye Sweet Gucci

The eucalyptus tree was not all we lost in June - two days before that we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, "the oldest weimeraner known to man" as a vet friend of my daughter's said. I haven't been able to bring myself to post this up till now, but I want to commemorate a beautiful, brave, naughty and irrepressible part of our home for the past 16 and a half years. 

Our son, now 23 was 7 when he came into our lives - a silky blue-eyed pup who immediately recognised me as 'mom' and curled up on my lap to sleep after exhausting himself playing with the kids. Anyone on the floor was fair game to be chewed, rolled-over onto (head over heels, not sideways) and determinedly edged away from the heater, while he was a willing pillow for weary or TV watching heads once he had worn himself out. 

He was wild - crazy - we could have done with the Dog Whisperer's help throughout his uncontrollable life. I have scars from where he yanked me down steps to launch himself at the meter-man, or the postman or the sandwich men ringing at the gate. So much for 'Foods you Must Never give your Dog' - he helped himself to avocados that dropped off the tree next door, unripe plums within his reach, entire chocolate Easter egg stashes, fillet roasts, anything whatsoever edible (except peppers and chilli) that he could reach when standing on his bandy back legs. Doors were no obstacle unless they were locked - he opened them in- or outwards and preferred them all open, come rain, shine or freezing wind.

When our daughter brought a kitten home, we were quite sure that she would be swallowed whole in an exuberant gulp and kept watch to make sure she didn't wander into 'Orc' territory - till one day our vigilance slipped and we rushed, panicking, to find the kitten contentedly tucked under a bemused Gucci's chin - where she more or less stayed, in innumerable yin-and-yang poses for the rest of his days (she shows remarkable, cat-like unconcern about his sudden absence, though perhaps slightly more affectionate towards her humans lately). While rats, strange cats and hadedas were in great danger if spotted, and he refused to ever give back a ball thrown for him - when my son's pet rat's many babies all escaped into the garden, he gently retrieved every single one without so much as a bruise and brought them to us to put back into the cage.

He was my constant companion unless his adored 'dad' was home when he was the preferred target for underfoot and in-your-face attention. As I do the most mundane things now his image rises before me - sweeping, nobody trudging doggedly through the dust pile - vacuuming the floors, no one lying hopefully in my path wanting a vacuum-massage - eating an apple, no one behind to toss the core to (the Best Catcher in the World) - the ways to miss him are many and painful, but we are so grateful that he was ours. RIP dearest Gooch.

12.12.12

Well, I haven't got much to show, what with a small deluge of work coming in - just in time to go shopping :-), some very wet weather and preparations for the festive season. But I can't let the 12th of the 12th, 2012 go by without posting something, it's not going to come around again, certainly in my lifetime. So some sketches from earlier in the year of our dear 15-year old Weimeraner, Gucci and his biggest fan, Kenzo (although she happily and possessively hogs the whole bed if he's too slow getting there). I could draw endless combinations of the positions they get themselves into, as I think I've said before - yes, here, here  and so long ago - 2007! - here . When I look back at those, I do believe... yes, I think I have got a bit better at drawing the pets. Progress!

Walking the dog

A little group ambling along the pavement. Somebody wants to buy this one, plus one more, though she doesn't like the other 'street' paintings - not happy enough!? So I'll have to go and wander around with my camera and sketchbook to find some pleasant scenes. She is emigrating, and wants to take some reminders of home with her - I think she's homesick already...
This 'sketch' blog seems to be turning into a painting one, but I am glad that at least it does seem to be working as far as mobilising me to paint - that, or the other art bloggers I read who all work so HARD and produce so much work!

Domestic Trio

I think I could have sat in my car and sketched these three, they were so engrossed in their conversation. Legs all stretched out to the left of each other, they could hardly be closer together. The colours look improbably bright, but are part of what I want to capture - I love the gaiety of some of these little groups scattered around the city. The grass looks rather a livid green, perhaps I should tone it down a bit, but after weeks of rain, the lawns have all sprouted into emerald glory (appropriate for our winning of the rugby World Cup a couple of weeks ago!)

Joburg Streets

I have been working on what I think will be a series, of Jo'burg's domestic workers (ie. maids, nannies and housekeepers) during their leisure moments. These women seem to gather quite randomly and spontaneously on pavements and grass verges, in the shade if it's hot, or in the sun if it's cool, and talk and laugh and have a rich community life right on our suburban doorsteps. Secluded behind high walls, and isolated in my little studio, I sometimes feel quite envious of the ready availability of companion and friendship - though of course I am very aware of the privilege of being able to paint in my studio while someone else takes care of the ironing.
The paintings are small - just 25x25 cm - and I try to gather reference photos surreptitiously so noone is self-conscious or poses for the camera. I would like to draw them from life, but am sure that would cause consternation!

Bus Stop

I still haven't started doing my intended sketch-a-day, though I have been very busy with other things.

But to keep my blog going... oooh it's hard... I'm posting this painting I did, and sold, some while ago - I did the same scene in watercolour, and again in oils, and could have sold it over and over. It's one I rather wish I'd kept - I only seem to have old paintings left here that I don't particularly like - apart from the ones of my children which I wouldn't sell anyway.

She was a woman I saw from my car - sitting so beautifully dressed, cream outfit lit up in the blue bus shelter, occupying it so dramatically, and patiently waiting to get where she was going - I went home and immediately committed it to paper. It's very seldom that a scene just begs to be painted like that - I wish it would happen more often, but, sigh, it usually takes a lot more work and effort than that! Since I painted this, the bus shelters have changed in Johannesburg - they no longer have seats in them, just a pole to lean against. There have been other scenes that I have wanted to paint and haven't, and now times, circumstances have changed and one just doesn't see them any more.

For instance, on sunny afternoons you used to see groups of domestic workers - 'maids' - dressed in their maid uniforms of matching overalls, aprons and caps, sitting gathered on grassy pavements, (or sidewalks) chatting and laughing, enjoying the sunshine and each others company, and a break from their tedious work. It occurred to me that I don't seem to see them any more - I never got around to sketching or painting them - opportunity lost, I think, though I'm still looking...