AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER #66
Dear Friends
In January, I shared with you what I planned to do with my “one wild and precious life” in 2026, one of which was to dance the night away in a gorgeous red ballgown on my 70th birthday in August! Well, dear friends, that’s exactly what I did at my 70th Banquet and Ball, and what a magical night it was. My heart is still overflowing with joy.
I love my Red Dress …
Word of the Month
"Euphoric"
Feeling an intense, overwhelming sense of joy and excitement. Rapturous, rhapsodic, enraptured, elated.
She was euphoric after her 70th Birthday Ball, her mind spinning with memories of the music, dancing, laughter and precious people who celebrated with her.
"Rhapsody in Pink"
I was inspired by the enormous, generous, gorgeous flower arrangements created by Marisa for my 70th Banquet and Ball. I reworked an earlier painting to create this extravagant, emotional, free-flowing watercolour. You can view it "in the flesh" at my exhibition at the Open Studio Weekend on 17 and 18 October at my Art Studio 112.
Watercolour on 600 gsm Arches watercolour paper with deckled edges. 57 cm x 76 cm. R1200.
Follow the painting's progress in the gallery below
16 October Soirée
Just a reminder of the Friday 16 October Soirée & Exhibition at my Studio 112. R100 per ticket, 17h30 for 18h00 till 20h30. The dress code is smart-casual (i.e. no track suits, tackies or shorts). This year, Yohan Song is back by popular demand as the main act. The supporting act is singer Dave Mendes with the mellifluous voice, accompanied by Richard Pratt on acoustic guitar.
Tickets are sold out for this rather prestigious affair, with food, drinks, private viewing of the Inktober drawings, art exhibition, and of course, top-class musical entertainment.
It promises to be a magical evening!
Open Studio Weekend
17th and 18th October
Don’t be sad if you can’t attend the Soirée: you’ll have the opportunity to view all the Inktober drawings, place your early bids, view some of my new paintings, buy a raffle ticket (or more) and some early Christmas goodies at my Open Studio Weekend in my Studio 112. All this freely available to you while you catch up with friends over a cup of coffee and enjoy some snacks. Please diarise the weekend of 17th and 18th October! It will be here before we know it!
August Birthdays
Happy birthday to Sinead, Ann, Cheryl C, Effie, Karen de S, Daphne, Leigh-Anne, Sandra, Leandri and me. I hope you had a memorable celebration, and that you’ll have many, many more wonderful years ahead of you! "Every new day is a gift."
NB If you haven’t yet sent me your birthday day and month, please send it to me via WhatsApp, or fill in the online SUBSCRIBE form.
Workshop 19 September 2026
TWO cancellations = TWO places available for the September Workshop. If you’re keen to join, please let me know. R300 per person, 3 hours, Saturday 9am – 12noon, all materials included.
Raffle for HOPE
Win a stunning colouring-in book based on 23 of Maria Kaye’s floral paintings, as well as a set of colouring in crayons. WhatsApp me to buy your raffle ticket/s at R40 per ticket. Proceeds will be donated to the HOPE Basket (Church of the Nazarene). Draw will take place on 31 October. Check out some sample pages below.