JULY 2025 NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends
The word of the month is soirée (swah-RAY), which means “a formal evening gathering for conversation, music and art”. So, if you’re craving a bit of culture on a Friday evening in Boksburg, keep reading to find out about the Spring Soirée at my art studio in September.
Spring Soirée
26 September 2025 (Friday 6pm - 8pm)
“You are not a machine. You’re a soul who needs music, connection, sunsets, laughter, and small pockets of joy. … These are essential ingredients for a meaningful life”
You’re invited to a semi-smart evening of musical entertainment, art, delicious snacks, cheese, wine, and of course, scintillating conversation at Maria Kaye's Art Studio 112. Only 25 tickets will be sold. Two have already been snapped up, and six have been reserved. This is one event you don’t want to miss! R100 per person. Contact me for your tickets.
Here is a golden opportunity to
- Listen to renowned guitarist Yohan Song’s soul-stirring guitar performance
- Preview the whole set of 15 Inktober drawings
- Meet interesting people
- Have a chat over drinks and snacks
- Dress up a bit
Sunflower Power
Have you ever received a photo of two sunflowers facing each other, with the accompanying meme “Sunflowers follow the sun, but did you know that when it’s cloudy and grey, they face each other and share their energy. Imagine if we did this too"?
Well, I fact-checked it, and I’m sad to say, it’s FALSE! Based on research by the team at usa.com, sunflowers are regulated by circadian rhythms that orient them toward sunlight. In the absence of sunlight or moving sources of light, sunflowers grow straight upwards, rather than turning toward each other.
I must say, I like the idea of straightening my posture, lifting my chin, and pulling back my shoulders when it’s “cloudy and grey”. God gives us inner strength to carry on when we place our hope in Him. Having said that, we all could do with “a little help (and a hug) from our friends”.
"Sunflower Power" R980 (76cm x 57cm) Watercolour on Arches (600 gsm with deckled edge and watermark)
"Winter in the City" Photos
The lively “Winter in the City” workshop on 2 August was so much fun, despite a wide-spread day-long power outage affecting most of Boksburg.
I introduced some interesting, non-traditional techniques that kept the participants on their toes! Enjoy looking through photos of the workshop below. MORE WORKSHOP PHOTOS and PARTICIPANTS' FEEDBACK can be seen on the PHOTOS25 page.
Prize-Winner
Geraldine Gous’ R30 ticket won her the R1000 prize comprising a R500 Art Framing Voucher from Janbre, a R200 PNA Voucher, and a R300 Art Workshop. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets: we managed to raise R1050 for my church’s kitchen project.
September Workshops
Watercolour workshops will be held on 6 September and 20 September at my Libradene art studio. There are still two places open on Saturday the 6th of September. R300 for a 3 hour workshop. All materials, coffee, tea and muffins included. 9 am to 12 noon. All levels of expertise welcome. Contact me if you’d like to participate.
You can view photos of previous Workshops on the PHOTOS page.
July Birthdays
“Happiness is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”
To all the special July babies - Eileen W, Lauren, Sharon, Chantyl, Nikita, Caity, Fiona and Robyn – may happiness “come and sit softly on your shoulder”. I hope you enjoy "Living in the Moment" by Jason Mraz.
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.