Vivez Bien * Live Well
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Sunday, March 5, 2017

I've been framed!

The saying goes that "you are only as good as the company you keep". Well I must be pretty amazing based on the excellent company I keep! And, luckily for you, I'm going to introduce you to two of these talented friends.

The first is Sonette Wilson of FrameWorx. Sonette runs her framing business from her home based in in Cape Town's southern suburbs. She is one of those people who has the kind of effortless style that we all hanker after and her good taste extends to her framing skills. She will listen to what you think you would like, while at the same time making suggestions of her own that you will soon realise are far better than what you had in mind! She recently framed my protea painting in a simple white box frame and I couldn't be happier. 


It has brought the painting to life and given it a finished look that was previously lacking.


She has a range of frames, both plain and ornate, depending on your needs. 


Here a white frame and white mounting allow the painting to do all the talking.


She also does fabulous mirrors as in the example below....


.....and is often asked to frame memorabilia or special items for clients. Here she has framed a little statue of Ganesh, the Hindu God of Good Fortune. 


She recently framed a painting done by an artist friend of mine who I am also going to introduce to you. 
The process....


...and the beautiful end result!

 

So please contact Sonette for all your framing needs via her Facebook page

The painting above was done by my most talented friend, Trish Mitchell. I actually met Trish at art class and we clicked instantly. We love many of the same things and she is also a  Francophile, which instantly elevates her in my book! Trish has been painting for many years but has only recently decided to turn "professional". Long overdue IMHO! 

She has the most wonderful eye for colour and beauty and has a particular love for painting flowers....



...but can turn her hand to anything really, from people....


...to still lives...


...to landscapes...


...and wildlife!



 Her artworks are real works of art! Trish has a website here and a blog here

So I have made it really easy for you, just contact Trish to aquire one of her beautiful oil paintings and then get in touch with Sonette for your framing and you are all sorted!

You're welcome!

Till next time

Sharon x


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Appreciating Art


I have been going to art classes for a few years now and aside from improving my own painting skills, I have gained a whole new appreciation of art and what goes into creating a beautiful painting. 


I also realise that appreciation of art is a very personal thing. A painting that speaks to me, might not speak to you in the same way. It isn't always easy to establish why we like one painting and don't like another. What I do know, however, is that, in general, while I can appreciate the talent that goes into creating them, I  don't really like paintings that look too much like photographs. Realism is the art style where the subject of the painting looks very much like it appears in real life. Personally, I often find this style of art lacking in "atmosphere"....too perfect in a way.



I am also not a big fan of very abstract art where there is no real indication of what the painting is supposed to depict. They often, in my opinion, look like a toddler has taken up a paint brush and produced an accidental mess of paint! (I suspect I am going to get some disagreement on this one.) My preference is for paintings that are done in a painterly style, where the brush strokes are very evident, where there are blurred edges, where there is an absence of perfection. The essence of the subject is captured rather than every detail and the most important quality of the painting is the mood that is evokes.


All the beautiful paintings in this post are the work of my teacher, friend and talented artist, Belinda Ardé. 


She produces the most exquisite still lives...



....soulful landscapes...





....amazing portraits....


...of people... and of beloved pets.


Beautiful nudes....


...and the best family portraits I've ever seen.



Belinda has a website (here) where she can be contacted regarding paintings for sale, art classes or commissions. She is based in Cape Town, but has recently done a commission for a family in the USA, so if you live abroad and love her work,  don't let an ocean get in the way! I have included her details on my sidebar for future reference.


Wishing you a wonderful Thursday

Till next time

Sharon x

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Art - Big and Beautiful

Via Tumblr

I love the impact that an oversized piece of art makes!  

Via Tumblr

Whether it is an exquisite tapestry....


Via House Beautiful


Via House Beautiful

Via vickydar. blogspot

Via Limilee on Tumblr

....or a magnificent oil painting...


Via Tumblr


Via Tumblr


Via Particular Poetry on Tumblr

Via This Ivy House on Tumblr


Via Eclectic Revisited

....or a spectacular screen....


Via Tumblr

Via Tumblr

... or even an amazing mural...


Via The Home Collection on Tumblr

... a piece of art on such a large scale makes such a statement.



I'll be back on Monday with some more Monday Musings. Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!


Till then


Sharon x