FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends
Did you receive or give someone a red rose for Valentine’s Day? February sales figures the world over attest to the fact that the red rose is indeed the “flower of love”. If you’re a true romantic, you’ll love the February Birthday movie clip from “Shall we Dance?” where Richard Gere appears unexpectedly with a single red rose for his wife.
On the other hand, don’t be disappointed if you didn’t receive anything for Valentine’s Day: let me remind you that God’s love is not confined to one day a year, or to a season. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year! His is the best kind of love that never changes and never runs out.
N.B. Booking is already lively for the April “Autumn Landscape” watercolour workshops. Details are on the DATES page.
A Rose By Any Other Name
In my Artist Journal I did a quick watercolour-and-ink sketch of a "Rose of Sharon”. As you can see, it’s not a rose at all!
The Rose of Sharon is mentioned in the Song of Solomon 2:1, where the Beloved says, “I am the rose of Sharon …”. The identity of this flower is shrouded in speculation as the original Hebrew does not refer to a rose but translates as “wildflower”.
“Sharon” is not a pretty girl, but a fertile plain along the Mediterranean coast in Israel. So, the “rose of Sharon” means a flower from that region.
The modern-day Rose of Sharon is a beautiful hibiscus-type plant that is available from a single bloom with a star-burst centre, to a delightful flower that’s frilly and ruffled.
View my ARTIST JOURNAL.
Word of the Month
“Muisneste”
The direct translation of muisneste is mouse nests. It’s that fuzzy, dreamy, discombobulated, delicious feeling of being young and in love. Even old people can have muisneste because when they fall in love they feel and act like teenagers.
“You’re never too old to have muisneste.”
Cornflower Blue
I love using French Ultra Marine Blue in my paintings! It’s transparent and granulating and is bluer than blue!
My latest watercolour flower study is of the pincushion (related to the cornflower). It’s also known by the dreadful name scabiosa. If this name makes you think of some dreadful disease, you’re not wrong! The Latin word Scabiosa, is derived from the word scabies meaning 'to scratch'. In medieval times, this species was believed to relieve the itch of scabies and skin sores.
If you’re itching to own this painting, it is available for R520. Visit my GALLERY for more info. Contact me or send a WhatsApp.
February Birthdays
Picture the scene: it’s 2004, the movie is “Shall We Dance?”, on the escalator appears a tuxedoed Richard Gere holding a single red rose … So, to Gerard, Brenda S, Ilse, Nicole, Jacqui, Roger, David and Olga, may your “Book of Love” be filled with flowers, heart-shaped boxes, dancing, music and laughter.
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.