These are my first paintings produced at NASA at Big Tree Harare, and apart from two paintings earlier this year and two last year, I haven’t painted much since 2021-2 I think.
I took the major step of moving my studio from a little shed in the garden aka The Kamala Harris Art Studio, back home to NASA due to many factors – some obvious others less so. Somewhere between the US Presidency and the Zimbabwe rainy season. This “move” took place on Christmas Day 2024, a couple of days ago.
And I started this series of paintings the following day, that is, Boxing Day. The first six presented here were all painted on December 26 in a 10 hour painting “marathon.” And the final two “Apostles” were fitted in this morning, December 29.
This series really paves the way for my future reflections on other artists, past and present.
They are all signed and are A3, oil on canvas. They will spend the next month drying. They are presented here in the order in which I painted them.
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Boxing Day
A thought to my painting historically, which has mostly been abstract. This piece made me think of Willem de Kooning.
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The “Monavale” Lisa, my first Picasso
I sometimes think, if I could paint like Picasso, how would I paint? This is my first attempt. As we are here in Monavale, Harare, I thought of the Mona Lisa.
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Faces in the Forest / Medal of Honour
Somewhere between a Rastafarian and an astronaut. Developed from the “Mona Lisa” above.
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Ginger (Picasso)
Due to this “Picasso-esque” lady’s red hair I thought of calling this one Ginger.
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Reflections on Picasso
Finally this is the actual refection on Pablo Picasso. Somewhere between cubism and design.
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The Fool
If you’re into your tarot, you’ll know the Fool’s journey. And painting on Boxing Day really is a bit foolish. But with the success of this piece “all’s well that ends well” to quote the Bard of Avon.
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For the kitchen, (Still Life with Apples, after Paul Cézanne)
This is my Christmas gift to my mother and my family. Turned out fairly well.
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Bust (correction: this should be Torso)
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Bust, another try
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Woman and Bicycle, after de Kooning
And no, there is not actually a woman or a bicycle depicted. It’s an idea. The thought of de Kooning was with me while I was producing this interesting artwork.
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Woman and Bicycle take two
This has more in common with the original by Willem de Kooning than “take one” above.
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Christ on the Cross
With the thought to the final “Apostle”, Christmas and Christ, our Lord.
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Thanks for taking a look!
Godspeed.