JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER #59
Dear Friends
I recently read a poem by Mary Oliver called “The Summer Day” in which she writes:
“…Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
Let me share what I plan to do with my “one wild and precious life” this year. I plan to sing praises to my Saviour at the top of my voice in the rain; marvel at God’s creation as I watch the sun rise over the Drakensberg; and dance the night away in a gorgeous red ballgown on my 70th birthday!
What will this year hold for you, I wonder? Have you made some resolutions, or if you’re a listofile, have you written a wish-list? I’d love to hear about your dreams for 2026!
Dancing Ballerinas
My first painting for 2026 is of these sweet little ballerina fuchsia flowers, in their pretty dresses and ballet shoes.
This watercolour painting is 31 cm x 41 cm, on Arches cold press watercolour paper and it’s available to buy for R520.
Word of the Month
"Flummery"
A flummery is a creamy, gelatine-based pudding or jelly popular in the Georgian era. It is often associated with the elegant balls described in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I had the pleasure of tasting my first flummery on Christmas day.
Life is too short to not eat a light, fluffy, strawberry flummery at every opportunity.
Workshop Photos
It’s astounding what can be achieved with only one colour! Check out the January Workshop Photos below.
January Birthdays
Happy birthday to the January babies: Heather, Michelle, Richard, Janet, Bev, Engelita, Letitia, Colleen, Lorraine, Janelle, Judy, Cheryl and Donna. I hope you’ve made the most of your birthday month and that you “had the time of your life”!
Enjoy the song “The Time of my Life” from the movie Dirty Dancing.
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.
Next Workshop
R300, 21 Feb, 9 – 12
There are still THREE places left at the next watercolour workshop on Saturday 21 February. All materials supplied. Beginners to professionals, all are welcome. WhatsApp me to book your slot!
Don’t miss out on the fun! Check out all the dates of EVENTS at my Art Studio 112 for 2026.
If you didn’t get round to reading some of my art newsletters, or would like to re-read some, you’ll find them under NEWSLETTERS in the MAIN MENU at the top of the page.
You can also re-visit past events by viewing photographs from 2024 and 2025.
January Winner
Magda Botha’s name was drawn from the “famous green hat”, and I hope she’ll enjoy getting creative with her "mystery prize", which is a painting kit (canvas, brushes and acrylic paints).
We all have our favourites! The most popular work I’ve painted to date, according to the newsletter subscribers who entered the January competition, is Sunflowers (you can view it in my online GALLERY).