Category: blog

Creating en plein air allows us to discard reference imagery gleaned off any other of the plethora of online image resources out there; it’s a living, limitless, three-dimensional image bank, and it’s all right there in front of us, waiting for us to zoom in or zoom out to our heart’s content.  I was chatting to a […]

Since moving back to Malawi four years ago, I have had to adapt and plan to accommodate the challenges of being a watercolor artist here. We live in a beautiful space on the beach of Lake Malawi, but it is a country with so many challenges. Still one of the poorest countries in the world […]

In last month’s blog post, I probed the question of how we determine the value of our art. It’s a very pertinent subject, particularly for us at North Coast Artists, as we slowly begin delving into the potential of gaining international exposure for our work — so for this article I’d like to explore the topic a […]

Picasso famously said “good artists borrow, great artists steal.” Sometimes artists plagiarise without even thinking about it and some don’t consider the ethical ramifications. I was teaching an art class years ago where I put out a bunch of photos for people who did not bring their own photos. The works were later exhibited. A […]

Each and every single one of us has an unwritten, unconscious, yet nevertheless indelible value, and we are continuously exhibiting our value through our thoughts and deeds. All too often, however, we allow others to define that value. When it comes to art, many of us artists have great difficulty in placing a value or […]

Every now and then you meet someone or have an experience that makes you take stock of your own situation, a reminder of that irksome gratitude for what you have;  when the reality check confronts you,  restoring your faith in human kind. This story is about courage, resilience and a determination to overcome and give […]

Of Ocean & Art And I have loved thee, Ocean! and my joyOf youthful sports was on thy breast to beBorne like thy bubbles, onward: from a boyI wantoned with thy breakers — they to meWere a delight; and if the freshening seaMade them a terror — ’twas a pleasing fear,For I was as it […]

(Still thinking…) In last month’s blog, I spoke of a personal journey with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it had proved to be a great time saver in my creative process. In essence, AI is the science of making machines that can think like humans. One thing is for certain: AI is here to stay…and […]

Last year, I wrote an article about the burgeoning realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its negative effects on the human factor in perceiving art and imagery. Not that I wish to recant the claims I’d made, but I have had cause to reflect on my standpoint and shift perspective somewhat over the intervening months […]

The answer is yes and again yes! I highly recommend that every artist should enter art competitions.  I was terrified when I first did. The thrill of eventually being recognized, even if only a mention, was a major WOW for me.  It is a huge challenge to enter and especially when you are an inexperienced […]

From time to time, the subject of plagiarism comes up on my scope, and I feel it begs addressing — so I hope to shed a little light on the matter.  The definition of plagiarism is, according to Oxford Dictionary: “the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s […]

“The pursuit of excellence is gratifying and healthy. The pursuit of perfection is frustrating, neurotic, and a terrible waste of time.” – Edward Bliss “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali In appreciation for all the effort that WASA puts into helping encourage watercolour artists throughout South Africa, I am determined to […]

With so many different brands and colors on the market today, how often have you bought something which has proved to be disappointing, not what you expected and has left a deep hole in your pocket? How many tubes of paint do you have sitting in your box that you seldom use? How often do […]

My brain battled to accept ‘Popcorn, Cup Cakes and Water’ will be served at the opening! It was a WOW! Well done to the youngsters for all their input.  When a few years ago Chris, my local pharmacist and friend, asked if I would like to hang some of my art in his pharmacy, I […]

Want to become an amazing artist? It takes work but you can do it. Follow these tips to achieve your goal quickly. Paint a lot. It doesn’t matter how well you can paint if you don’t do it. Even if you magically had the skills of Rembrandt but never paint, those skills mean nothing. There […]

My Artsy Musings: how YouTube brought purpose and perspective to my life.  Since I was a child I was artistic — I loved painting, drawing and colouring in, and during my junior primary years I was always taking artworks to school and receiving “Well Done” stamps on my wrists and gold stars on my artworks from […]

I don’t normally make new year resolutions but towards the end of 2023 I decided 2024 would be a ‘Slow Down’ year. No more suffering from ‘FOMO’. I had more than fulfilled my late husband’s wish that I was to pursue my art.  I achieved goals between 2019 and 2023 that I had never dreamt […]

Being confined to hospital is not a happy predicament for most, but in a poverty stricken third world country, it can be a desperate situation. The Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, is one of the oldest hospitals in Malawi, opened in 1966, and although quite grand in the day, over the years it has […]

Brushes are some of the most essential artists’ tools, so it’s imperative they’re properly looked after – allowing them to perform to their highest potential. Over time, taking care of your brushes can save you time and money. Good quality brushes can last a lifetime if treated well. Adhere to the following three standards of […]

I count myself as fortunate in belonging to a wonderful community of artists and art lovers in Durban called North Coast Artists. We get together on the second Saturday of every month, to hear all the latest news and showcase our work, in keeping with each month’s theme. However, the highlight of our gathering is […]