Winner of the 2022 Christmas card competition
DIANE HAINES – 1ST PRIZE WINNER
‘Snowy Friends’ to me, captures the magical spirit of Christmas, but also shows the delicate beauty of the deer and the cheerful robin and was drawn in Pastel and Pastel pencil.
The paper I chose was a dark green as I felt the image should reflect the animal and not the undergrowth. Once drawn, I chose cool colours to show the fading light of a winter afternoon – the little robin added that pop of colour which brought the picture to life.
The snow was added to bring softness to the final image, and in fact gave the whole picture a soft, ethereal quality.
DENISE COBLE – 2ND PRIZE
‘Hare and Winter Berries’ is a 3-block lino print, around A5 in size.
Originally I intended it to be a 4-block lino, with the final block being the red berries, but unfortunately I couldn’t get this to print out properly, as I seemed to be continually cleaning up and chasing “chatter” – picking up little unwanted marks from the lino.
To save my sanity, I decided to hand paint them in once the other 3 layers were dry.
It is based on sketches and photos from a few years ago, when we had some snow one winter – we don’t often get snow here in Hampshire, so it’s a big deal when we do.
I’m lucky enough to live near the South Downs and not too far from the coast, so I have plenty of landscapes around to inspire me. On this occasion the whole family trooped off to Buster Hill, where my husband and kids went tobogganing, and I sketched and took some photos.
No hares were seen on that day – too many people and too much noise – so I used photos and sketches of hares from previous quiet walks to add the hare into the snowy landscape.
KATE SMITH – JOINT 3RD PRIZE
‘A Winter’s Tail’ is painted in acrylic on canvas.
I was looking through my old photos for inspiration, and found the ones I took at the Vale Wildlife Centre, of Magan and Roxie, the resident foxes.
They were both well-fed and had lovely bushy coats, which reminded me of foxes in snowy climates with incredibly thick coats. The pose, showing off her luxuriant tail, gave me the obviously title ‘A Winters Tail’.
I created a snowy background using the complimentary yellow/violet and blue/orange colour scheme, which I thinks works well with low winter sun, snow and orange fox.
LESLEY CONNOLLY – JOINT 3RD PRIZE
‘Let it snow’ – Having come across an image of a Greater-Spotted Woodpecker in flight, it occurred to me what a good Christmas card it would make, and I decided to put it against a blue background with snowflakes.
First I cut out of lino block with the black and white bird image. This was printed onto newsprint paper, which I cut out and used as a stencil (reversed) for the blue screen-printed background, and pieces of ripped paper were scattered on for the snowflakes.
A further stencil was used for the red parts, and finally the lino cut image was printed on top.
The result, I feel, was bold, simple and colourful.
TWASI 2022 AGM and Members Weekend
at Nature in Art
TWASI Patron Hazel Soan has some vacancies on 2023 painting holidays
Dear fellow TWASI Artist/Art Lover/Adventurer!
With the current emphasis to socialise and shop online, real life experiences are in high demand. In context it is easy to guess that IRL means “In Real Life” but when I first came across the abbreviation I had to look it up (online of course!) because I was shocked to think that real life now needed an acronym! Thankfully, painting is always a real life experience, and I am delighted to tell you about the ‘IRL’ painting holiday experiences I have planned for next year!
Cape Town to the Kalahari February 9th-21st 2023. Due to a recent cancellation, three places have opened up on this exclusive painting trip into the magical Kalahari Transfrontier Park (this trip is not advertised hence invitation by email). If you are looking for an unusual and exciting painting adventure this is it! Together we will share the wonders of the desert kingdom, paint wildlife and engage in plenty of watercolour workshop tuition. If this trip appeals, see more detail in the 2 attachments at the end of this email.
If curious re similar or future trips, let me know on hsoan@iafrica.com
If you want to book this trip email John direct on oceangolf@iafrica.com
And if this trip appeals but February is too soon, there is a similar Kalahari trip in October with a few places still open.
Painting Vacation in Annecy, French Alps May 15th-19th 2023. If you are looking for a painting trip in Europe, I am tutoring a painting vacation in and around Annecy with Brenda Murray of Studio56Boutique. This is my second trip with Brenda, the first was great fun, so I am looking forward to the sequel! Check out the following link for details and booking: https://studio56boutique.com/pages/hazel-soans-french-alps-vacation-workshop
I look forward to seeing you next year!
Take care and keep painting!
Hazel
Hazel Soan,
Soan Studio
Crookham Road
SW6 4EG
London | UK
KALAHARI PAINTING TRIP
A Taste of the Kgalaghadi Transfrontier Park on the South African/Botswanan border
Thursday 9th February 2023 – Tuesday 21st February 2023
Cape Town to Kalahari – 12 NIGHTS/13 DAYS
I am delighted to offer a new Kalahari painting trip to the Botswanan side of the Kgalaghadi Transfrontier Park . The trip includes 5 nights in the Ta Shebube Rooiputs desert lodge situated in the dunes on the Botswanan side of the Park, 5 nights at Oceangolf Guesthouse in Noordhoek, and 2 nights travelling to and from the Park. This is an exclusive holiday by invitation only.
The aim of the holiday is to share with you the magic of the Kalahari. This semi-desert receives enough rain to support an array of wildlife and is one of my favourite places to paint. Wildlife sightings are unpredictable, but we would hope to see springbok, oryx, ostrich, wildebeest, red hartebeest, eagles, owls and other birds and possibly lion and cheetah, hyena and even leopard, but the desert is vast and entirely wild so nothing is guaranteed.
Rooiputs lodge is spectacularly situated in the heart of the red dunes. There are 10 en suite rooms available, joined along the crest of a dune by charming wooden walkways, each has its own deck with a panoramic dune view and a shower open to the stars. All meals are taken at the lodge, they have a bar, small plunge pool and intermittent wifi! We may even have the lodge to ourselves. Take a look at their website: www.tashebube.co.bw
We have two vehicles to allow guests comfort and a good view, and hope to take a couple of game drives in an open safari vehicle owned by the lodge. Because of predators we are not allowed out of the vehicles on the game drives. I am aware it is not easy to paint in the vehicles so I am including mid-morning workshops at the Lodge during our stay.
The total journey from Cape Town is approx 1150 Km, crossing the vast expanse of the Great Karoo. We will have an overnight stop on the way, at Keimoes, an oasis town on the Orange River, arriving at our destination next day around lunchtime. The drive back to Cape Town is long (800kms) but crossing the Great Karoo is a worthwhile experience in itself, the roads are good and we aim to make the journey as comfortable as possible. We will be stopping at Keimoes from Upington and staying overnight. Before and after our return to Cape Town, there will be workshops in the studio at Oceangolf, painting wildlife and the desert landscape.
The accommodation at Oceangolf Guesthouse is in a beautiful setting on the slopes of Chapmans Peak overlooking the Atlantic. It is a short walk from one of the most striking white beaches in the world, and a great place for sight-seeing if you wish to extend your stay.
NB This price does not include flights: £4750 per person. (£200 discount possibly available if you share accommodation at Oceangolf and Keimoes en route. The price includes: all accommodation and meals (including wine at meals but not bar drinks), painting tuition, Park entry fees and daily Conservation fees, transport including transfers to and from the airport.
If you are interested please contact John or Louise and copy me in: oceangolf@iafrica.com
If you wish to extend your stay at Oceangolf Guest House, accommodation is available. John offers self catering and car hire and a separate quote for extra stay can be obtained.
To view the accommodation in Cape Town visit http://www.oceangolf.co.za/
PROVISIONAL ITINERARY – Subject to change
KALAHARI PAINTING TRIP – A taste of the Kgalaghadi Transfrontier Park on the South African/Botswanan border
Passports and ID are required as we are entering and staying on the Botswanan side
Thursday 9th February 2023 – Tuesday 21st February 2023
12 NIGHTS/13 DAYS
THURSDAY 9th Feb 2023 – Arrival day in Cape Town
Arrival of guests – collection of guests – day for relaxation and orientation
1.00 pm Lunch – Courtyard Terrace
7.00 pm Welcoming drinks in the bar
7.30 pm Dinner – Oceangolf Courtyard Terrace
FRIDAY 10th Feb: Oceangolf
8.30 am Breakfast – Courtyard Terrace
9.30 am Wildlife Workshop in studio
1.30 pm Lunch – Courtyard Terrace
Afternoon at leisure for painting in the studio or garden
7.30 pm Dinner – Monkey Valley
SATURDAY 11th Feb: Oceangolf
8.30 am Breakfast – Courtyard Terrace
9.30 am Wildlife Workshop in studio
1.30 pm Lunch – Courtyard Terrace
Afternoon at leisure for painting in the studio or garden
7.30 pm Dinner – Oceangolf Courtyard Terrace
SUNDAY 12th Feb: Depart for Keimoes
6.15 am Packing of vehicle (soft travel bags) then breakfast Courtyard Terrace
7.00 am, sharp! Depart for journey to Ou Skool Guesthouse, Keimoes to include stops for breaks
12.00 noon Lunch en route at Vanrynsdorp
6:00 pm Arrive at Ou Skool Guesthouse
7.30 pm Dinner at Ou Skool Guesthouse
MONDAY 13th Feb: Depart Keimos for Kalahari Transfrontier Park
7.00 am Breakfast Ou Skool Guesthouse
8.00 am Departure for Upington – Collection of 4×4 Toyota Fortuner & drive to Kalahari
12.00 pm ETA entrance Kalahari Tranfrontier Park, 23kms game drive to Ta Shebube Lodge (time dependent on sightings)
01.00 pm Arrive Ta Shebube Rooiputs Lodge for brunch
Afternoon to unpack, relax & possibly paint from the Lodge
3.30/4pm Afternoon tea
5.00 pm Late afternoon game drive (dusk 7.00 pm)
8.00 pm Dinner at Ta Shebube Rooiputs Lodge
TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY/FRIDAY, 14th, 15th, 16th & 17th
Light early morning breakfast followed by game drive – dawn 6.15am
11.00 am Brunch at the Lodge
Workshop after brunch
3.30/4.00 pm Afternoon Tea
Late afternoon game drive (dusk 7.00pm)
8.00 pm Dinner at Lodge
SATURDAY 18th Depart Kalahari for Keimoes
7.00 am Packing of vehicle
7.15 am Cooked breakfast at the lodge
8.00 am Depart lodge, game drive via Twee Rivieren (unhook & park trailer along Auob River (dry). Distance covered depends on sightings. Picnic at Auchterlonie. Return to Twee Rivieren
3.00 pm Depart Kalahari for drive to Upington, return 4×4 vehicle, onward drive to Ou Skool Guesthouse, Keimoes
7.00 pm Arrive Ou Skool Guesthouse for dinner
SUNDAY 19th February : Depart Keimoes for drive back to Cape Town
6.45 am Loading vehicle
7.00 am Breakfast Ou Skool Guesthouse
7.30am Depart for full day drive back to Cape Town to include stops for breaks
Picnic lunch on Vanrhynsdorp Pass
6.00/7.00 pm Welcome home drinks in the bar
8.00 pm Dinner – Courtyard Terrace – Oceangolf
MONDAY 20th February : Oceangolf
8.30 am Breakfast – Courtyard Terrace
9.30 am Workshop on Kalahari wildlife/landscapes
1.00 pm Lunch – Courtyard Terrace
2.30 pm Afternoon at leisure (possible option for workshop)
7.30 pm Dinner at Mariner’s Wharf Hout Bay via Chapmans Peak Drive (if open)
TUESDAY 21 st February : Depart from Cape Town to home
8.30 am Breakfast – Courtyard Terrace
9.30 – 11.30 am Studio workshop
1.00 pm Informal lunch – Courtyard Terrace
Afternoon of relaxation
Transfers to airport
2022 February Workshop at Nature in Art
A new date in the diary for TWASI members this year, after requests from members during the last AGM and members weekend for more workshops, a weekend workshop was arranged at Nature in Art. After canvassing the membership via email as to a choice of artistic discipline the workshops were on scraperboard with Jackie Cox and Pastel Pencils with Andrew Forkner.
20 plus members took part over the weekend and although some of them have had previous experience with these mediums it was good to refresh and learn a trick or two of the mediums from expert practitioners.
One great tip from Andrew Forkner was the use of a ‘Graphic Artist Glove’ which consists of two outer fingers and a palm and wrist covering, really useful for keeping your work clean whilst working. Readily available online.
The TWASI council wish to thank Valerie Briggs for organising the weekend.
“Val
Just wanted to say thank you for organising the scraperboard workshop – I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a good deal which I am sure is going to impact a good deal on my work from now on.
It was so useful talking with Jackie and I am certain every one who attended would have come away having picked up information and tips – it will be interesting to see whether this year’s exhibition will see more work in the medium.
Again, many thanks – I look forward to seeing you soon at this year’s exhibition
Regards,
George”
We hope to repeat this spring workshop next year but will discussing whether to hold just one workshop over the weekend to explore the medium more fully. We will be canvassing you for your opinion in the near future so please do respond.
The Wildlife Art Society International 