Lisl Barry - Winter's Blanket

Featured Artist - Helen Pfeil

Helen has returned to painting after 25 years and her work is being shown in galleries all over the Western Cape, South Africa. Helen says that she has always loved drawing, painting and making things. The desire to create led her to pursue her passion in the form of fashion design.

She paints in acrylics and absolutely any subject matter that excites her. She is very influenced by impressionism and says that it creates freedom and space in her work.

"awareness of light, colour and shape in the world is a constant source of inspiration"

Featured Wine: Freedom Hill Cape Blend 2006

Freedom Hill Wines opened its cellar doors in November 2004.  Situated on the slopes of the Wemmershoek Mountain, the historical Klompzicht  estate lies between Franschhoek and Paarl.
The colourful story of the estate dates back to 1699, when it was part of the farm La Paris, which had been obtained by the French Huguenot, Francois Retief, in 1699.  The original farm measured 414 hectares and was subsequently subdivided into 11 portions.
It was in 1997 that Francois Klomp, an engineer by profession, and his wife, Adila, fell in love with this beautiful 82-hectare farm.  They named it Klompzicht and, combining their talents with those of a small, inspired team, set out to develop it into what has become a model boutique estate.
Their prestigious boutique range derives its name from the fact that the vineyards overlook the legendary Victor Verster prison (now the Drakenstein correctional services facility), where Nelson Mandela took his first steps to freedom.

My favourite wine for the day: Freedom Hill Cape Blend 2006

A ruby red, fruity, easy-drinking wine with a touch of cinnamon on the nose. A delicious blend, with silky tannins on the palate and a smooth complex aftertaste. 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Pinotage 31% Shiraz.
 (2006 Bronze Veritas, Best Value award - Wine Magazine 2011)

p/c R294 (1x6 750ml)

London City W6 OBQ

Ek het lankal terug ‘n gedeelte van my hart in Spaanse Passie
In hierdie Rooinek land gelos
‘n Plek waar ‘n mens maklik iets kan verloor – Dit misplaas
Tussen 1 minuut “stops” en “mind the gap”
Die gemaklike gedans van die Trafalgar
Of in die Piccadilly Circus
Soek ek ‘n bekende gesig
Tussen die hordes se gejaag
Na die Underground
Rustigheid
Corner Pubs
Hitte
Geliefdes
Vind ek net die emosielose
Geluidlose
Uitdruklose
Gestaar na niks



Nathan Meyers

I get very inspired by people who takes their passion for something and then turning it into a successful concept. And that is something London based South African entrepreneur Nathan Meyers does well. Founder and director of a roaming art gallery and wine store, who has no permanent home!

I was introduced to Nathan’s Art Shop through a friend who knows about my love for Art and when I found out about Nathan’s Wine Shop I just had to know a little more about this determined young South African who has build a sustainable gallery and wine business in London even in a economic downturn.

As one of the newest additions to London’s famous art scene, Nathan’s Art Shop was launched in 2010 producing temporary exhibitions within different spaces across London.  Brilliant concept! Low overhead cost, adaptable to different markets and bringing the art to the people. Nathan says that exhibiting in a pop up way means that each new location means the business can attract new audiences. 

Nathan is also passionate about wine and once he started combining art exhibitions with wine tastings, a winning combination was born – Nathan’s Wine Shop, The New Corker. Retailing wines on the internet and showcasing the wines in a new way.

www.nathansartshop.co.uk

Nathan’s Art Shop's latest pop up was hosted in Nathan’s own house in Wandsworth Common as part of Wandsworth Artists’ Open House 2011, where Nathan showcased his very own photography art images, Nathan’s Earth. 

 A selection of images showing his understanding of the daily life of insects, bringing a very special essence to his subjects that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Featured Artist - Janet Dixon

Through the years Janet has been a great inspiration to me, as an Artist but also as a friend. Janet grew up in the Karoo. She loves painting aloes and uses them as a metaphor to allude to the resilience of the natural world as well as the inner world of the human psyche. Janet captures the stark essence of the Karoo landscape in her paintings. A visit to Oudthoorn is never complete without a stop at Janet’s art gallery, ArtKaroo in Baron van Reede Road.

Karusa Wine and Food Experience - Oudtshoorn - South Africa

The word “Karusa” is a Khoi San word meaning: Land with little water, a scarce resource in the semi arid plateau of the Klein Karoo.

Situated at the foothill of the majestic Swartberg in the tranquil and scenic Cango Valley settlement of Schoemanshoek. The farm is en route to the world famous Cango Caves. It is situated 12km north of Oudtshoorn which is also the capital of the Klein Karoo region , and ostrich capital of the world.

A beautiful selection is of food treats are available on the Tapas menu, which includes, Ostrich Carpaccio and a selection of cheeses.

My favourite wine is definitely the NV Cuvee De LaMaison Chardonnay/Pinot Noir.
Refreshing white fruit and yellow apple flavours with light leesy secondary flavours and a whiff of frambois, not overly complex. To be enjoyed anywhere and everywhere.

VINIFICATION

Whole bunched pressed with only the cuvee of 500l/ton used. Stainless steel fermented and blended then aged on the lees for 6 months before secondary fermentation in the bottle. “Sur lies” for 12 months before degorging. 80% Chardonnay 20% Pinot Noir

@ only  R18 per glass

Featured Artist - Lisl Barry

Lisl grew up in the Big City of Cape Town and at the end of 1991 emerged from a 3 year Design Art Course (Cape Technicon) with sights set on dusty roads, open spaces and the yearning of long distance young love. Two years on, in 1993, the united couple moved to still dustier roads and remarkably more expansive open spaces of the Little Karoo.
Today they still live in the bush, 35km from the bustling metropolis of Oudtshoorn. Lisl and her Nature Conservator husband (of 13 years) Tom have since created two wee, busy 'bush baby' daughters Jade and Kai (4 and 2 respectively).
For the first eight years on Gamka Mountain Nature Reserve, Lisl battled deadlines designing and illustrating for Gauteng-based publishing company Jacana, with the aid of bush telegraph and cyberspace. In between deadlines she splashed about with watercolours and exhibited these landscapes locally.
Four years ago she discovered the joys and endless dimensions of motherhood and oil painting. Life has never been quite the same since. Now the magical Karoo light, its life and seasons are seen through 3 pairs of new eyes.

* Text www.artkaroo.co.za

Featured Artist - Francois Gerber

When I come across the work of an artist like Francois Gerber, I always stand in awe. He does concentrate on still life painting. His still life paintings are relatively classical although slightly fragmented in their composition, and reflect a lively awareness of colour-quality. But he also draws!  Very rare finds. And its drawings like the ones featured here that speaks to me. Effortlessly he fills me with emotion that makes me proud to say I’m a child of the Klein Karoo.

In@maticx freshens up for our 6th year

In@maticx -The Company was founded in 2005.  Between 2005 - 2010 my main focus was on hosting Events and Function Catering in the Western Cape's Garden Route and Klein Karoo.  And boy oh boy did we cater!. High Tea's, Sit down dinners, Weddings, Canapés and Art Gallery openings.

In 2011 I felt that it is time to include my love for Art, my obession with Wine and soul for Poetry into a Company that was founded on the passion for Food.  Currently In@maticx represents some very fine artists in the Karoo, Garden Route area and working with a selection of brilliant Wine Estates.

inatmaticx@live.co.za

Featured Artist - Nadine Kriek



I met Nadine 2007 in Oudtshoorn, South Arica where she currently works and lives. I was intrigued by her work immediately. Her beautiful personality makes you understand how she produces such beautiful tactile art that tempts even the well restrained to reach out and touch her work. Nadine’s choice of subject is the naked human form. She uses a certain degree of abstraction to render her fleshy human forms mostly in warm colours that draw you into either a poetic dance or solemn quiet with the figures. She is most comfortable working in earthy ochre tones.

The piece featured here is called Jackie. Contact me should you want anymore information regarding her work @ inatmaticx@live.co.za

ArtKaroo in Oudtshoorn houses authentic Karoo Fine Art

ArtKaroo features art of the Karoo,
painted by artists in the Karoo,
inspired by the Karoo.

The ArtKaroo gallery was born out of the need to showcase the remarkable talent this semi-desert, majestic area draws, some internationally acclaimed and others emerging. Artist's work that has been available elsewhere, but not here in the Karoo, can now be viewed in Oudtshoorn.

The gallery is housed in a beautifully renovated sandstone cottage, typical of the area. The involvement and support of the Oudtshoorn community has been instrumental in the gallery's success. ArtKaroo was conceived by a group of local artists; it thrives on their sense of ownership and participation. Fortunate in its association with established artists whose work is displayed around the world, the gallery nurtures and supports young artists, emerging artists, always searching for new local talent. Regular sketching sessions, open to the public, are held at the gallery.

Guests, friends, fellow artists, are invited to experience the warm ambience  and culinary hospitality ArtKaroo offers. Spend time contemplating Karoo life depicted by artists of the Karoo in comfortable and beautiful surroundings. I absolutely recommend a visit and meet the patron and owner of the gallery, Dr Janet Dixon, herself an artist and a child of the Karoo.

107 Baron van Reede St
Oudtshoorn 6625
South Africa
+27 (0)44 279 1093     janet@artkaroo.co.za
GPS Coordinates
33° 34' 57.55"S
22° 12' 16.26"E

Reflections ~ Reminiscence ~ Rainbows

Some of my older work can be found on the following link:  http://www.inagmaticx.blogspot.com/

Traveler

Ek kyk vir jou vreemdeling
Dwarsdeur jou

Ek sien die spoed van jou trapsoetjie
Die pyn in jou lag

Die hartseer as jy gelukkig is

Die deurmekaar raak as dit als sin maak

Ek sien die wêreld wat vir jou te klein is
Jou alleenheid wat vir jou te groot is
Die dood wat vir jou lewendig is
En die lewe wat vir jou dood is

Met die wegkyk, vee ek 'n traan weg

Is jy volwasse in jou kindwees
En dwaas in jou insig
Voel jy gevange in jou vryheid
Terwyl jy fluister in jou skree?

'n Ma se gedagtes (22 Desember 2009, 14:05pm)

Nou dat ek weg is
Onthou my met jou glimlagies en skater lag

En wanneer jy 'n traan moet stort
Doen dit met ons geliefdes
Wie saam met jou hierdie hartseer pad moet stap
En wanneer jy my nodig kry
Sit jou arms om die mense om jou
Gee vir hulle wat jy nodig het om vir my te gee
. . .Daar is so baie – so baie wat liefde en eenheid nodig het

Ek los jou in hierdie wereld met hierdie gedagte:
(Soveel beter as woorde en geluide waarvoor jy so lief is)
Soek vir my in die mense wie ek ken en lief het,
Gehelp het op my manier
Laat my aanhou lewe in jou hart en gedagtes

Die grootse liefde wat jy vir my kan gee
Is deur om jou groot liefde uit te stuur oor berge en kontinente na ons geliefdes

Omhels hulle en leef in hulle liefde

Liefde gaan die dood nie – Mense doen.

So wanneer net dit van my oor is
Gee my weg so goed jy kan

SO KOM KRY EK MY

So sit ek nog
Onbewus
Van die stories en die werklikhed wat soos n action movie in my siel afspeel
Op die stoep van my groei jare in die Klein Karoo
Op een van die warmste aande
Met my liefkooste glasie wyn in my hand
En ek dink terug aan die jare voor Nou
Die Liefde en Verdwaal en Veg en Kalm bly
Die Op en Af = Wees en Hardloop en Verstaan en Lief wees
Die Mens en aan my Ma Mona

En die mengelmoes van gedagtes is op so 'n mooi aand partykeer net te veel
Maar op 'n Karoo aand, wanneeer stil-wees antwoord gee aan mens-wees
is die memories weer net te min

En so kom kry ek my

Verlore

Niks anders maak nou saak

Nie

die oorlewing tot nou
die geluk en swaarkry
die lag en trane
die pad met al sy verkeer en tekens

Niks

Kon jou langer hier by my laat bly nie

En so is 'n maand al amper verby - Weg van my

En die skrywer van die soeke na liefde en menswees

sal verewig en ewig na jou verlang