Sketch in the river. Watercolour and marker.
latest updates: river
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2009Nov 223tags: autumn | river
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2009Oct 19
tags: Landscape | Magaliesburg | river | watercolour
“Magalies River” – watercolour sketch in Moleskine Watercolour sketch-book – Maree Clarkson (http://artandcreativity-maree.blogspot.com)
One of our favourite Sunday outings is to go to Wicker Tea Garden on the banks of the Magalies River in Magaliesburg (Gauteng, South Africa). We normally choose a table right on the riverbank from where we watch the Malachite Kingfisher diving for fish. Afterward he preens and suns himself on one of the branches overhanging the Stream.
On the other side of the river is an open-air wedding chapel which one can also access by crossing the rapids via some stepping stones when the river is not in flood.
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2009Oct 1
tags: bridge | Mostar | old bridge | pastel | river | sketchbook
Old Bridge – Mostar, Derwent-Rexel soft pastel pencils on a large sketchbook.
This one is dedicated to Bob, for two reasons:
1. Being a man of (written) word, I bet he’d be among few who would read through this (longest so far) story of mine,
2. He demanded once: “I really like the way the red roofs complement the green in the surrounding trees. More like this please!” – So, here is more…
So, this one is for you Bob (and I duly expect one-up from you – Even if you didn’t like it…)
Now, this is an “Old Bridge” (Stari most) in Mostar, the city some 130 km south from Sarajevo, on the way to the Adriatic coast. Some photos and background info you can find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stari_most
Still, I’ll emphasise some interesting facts and legends. The bridge was built, from 1557-1566, by Persian-born Ottoman Architect Hayrudin, upon the location of even older scary hanging bridge. The city derives its name from the bridge passing fee collectors called “mostars”. Hayrudin, according to legend, disappeared a day before its grand opening, due to fear of failure and certain death by Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Apparently he hadn’t seen it standing free of the formworks. He was never seen again. However, bridge stood another 437 years until, in the Bosnian war, Croat film-director/general, ordered its destruction. Exact replica was made after the war, and was re-opened in the summer of 2004.
Bob, keep reading…
With 30 m span and height of 24 m above the water, its thin arch was architectural wonder of the era. A hundred years later famous Ottoman traveller Ewli Chelebi in his 10-volume itinerary wrote: “I have been in every corner of 16 emperies and kingdoms, but I have never seen taller or more beautiful bridge!”
Ever since it was built it became a measure of manhood – if you are mature enough you should dive from its top to icy-cold water of Neretva River. BTW, Neretva has unique milky turquoise colour called “Neretva-blue”, and is one of the most beautiful rivers I’ve ever seen.
Mostar was a city of great witty people (three ethnic groups and three religions – Muslims, Catholics and Ortodox), who lived together without even knowing who was who (until 1991). It was famous for having distinguished figures living bohemian life-style, and constantly joking about life… Most famous of them were artists Ico Voljevica, Meha Sefić and Vasa Kisa.
Bob, are you with me?
Ico was a pretty ugly looking painter who, upon remark on his looks, stated: “I was born as a very beautiful baby – BUT THEY SWAPPED ME IN THE NURSERY!”
After the World War II, upon visit of a high-ranking Party official, who admired the bridge, Ico told him: “We are going to destroy the Old Bridge!” You can’t do that, said official, why would you do such a thing?” Ico replied: “TO BUILD AN EVEN OLDER ONE!” Little did he know that his prediction would materialise within 45 years…
Meha was a painter and café musician. Once in a pub someone accused him of collaborating with German occupying forces – because he was singing to their troops in the cafés. He said: “I did sing to them, but it was always OUT OF KEY!”
In those post-war days of communist rule it was punishable to tell political jokes. Vasa was prosecuted for telling one in public. In the court, just as judge proclaimed 2-month jail sentence for him, Vasa started laughing like hell. Judge warned him: “I’m warning you, you’ll get extra time for discontent of the court!” Vasa said: “Sorry your Honour, I really couldn’t help it… I JUST RECALLED ANOTHER ONE (political joke), AND BELIEVE ME, THIS ONE IS SO GOOD – IT’S WORTH AT LEAST 2 YEARS!!!”
These all are true stories. Those guys were all artists, as my father was, and being peers they were also good mates – so my dad knew them very well.
Bob thanks for reading it through. Congratulations. I hope it was worth it…
PS. My mom once said (reading very boring Joseph Heller’s “Something happened”) – “If he could write all that, then, I can read it.” -
2009Aug 20
tags: 2009 | art | canoe | drawing | Pen | river | rocks | sketch
This is a quick Sketch I did When I was on my canoe trip .I wasent able to draw much while there, mostly because you either have no time to do anything but set up the tents and eat before dark or I was just too tired. But I still did this one, this is a nice spot that i found right on the side of the river. The trees are on an island and on either side are huge CIII rapids which we had spent nearly half the day running ( there were about 4 sections of it)
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2009Aug 17
tags: bridge | city | hometown | river | tram-line | view | watercolor
Quiz view!
This is the one I promissed – a view from my balcony in watercolour. If you guess correctly, then you’ll know where I’m from. I’ll give you a couple of clues though:
1. In the background you can see a small part of the old town with St. Antony’s church and Emperor’s mosque.
2. Further back, there is a mountain on which bob and sledge competitions were held during 14th Winter Olympic Games. The same moutain was used to lounch a record long city siege.
3. At the bottom-left corner (just below the balcony wall) Austrian Arch-duke Ferdinand was assained almost exactely 95 years ago – which triggered World War One.
4. At bottom right corner you can see the tracks of the first fully operational electrificated tram-line in Europe.
Do not be confused by the colour of the river (it is a river belive me) – That is its natural colour, and the most realistic one in this view. If you’ve guessed correctly than you are a Geographical genius! -
2008Oct 10
tags: autumn | river | Sierra Nevada | Union Pacific
Feather River, North View, Autumn, Sierra Nevada, Union Pacific Train. Was at this setting for 2 hours. Three trains came by! The next day I returned to paint the scene in acrylics.
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2008Oct 8
tags: autumn | river | Sierra Nevada
Feather River, Facing South, Rocky Point Road, watercolor, ink, 5×8 Moleskine.
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2008Sep 12
tags: river | Rudat
House on the Blanco River, Wimberley, TX http://susanrudat.blogspot.com/
