Anona / Custard apple in watercolour
This Anona was handed to me by the owner of the house in Arco Da Calheta that we were thinking of buying. Eight months later we have now moved into that same house and the Anona tree is just outside my art room.
I have been painting for 15 years starting with oils and finally progressing to watercolour then my interest moved to botanical art.
This painting was sent to The Society of Botanical Artists in England (www.soc-botanical-artists-org) as part of my final exam where I had to produce 3 paintings. I had signed up for their Distant Learning Course when living in Denmark as botanical art is practically non existent there. I enjoyed the course so much despite it being intense and dedicated work, it lasted a total of 27 months and I passed with distinction which is in the 90%-100% mark criteria and I was so pleased to have achieved that after working incredibly hard. For the final I was literally doing a 6 day week in order to complete and my eyes were really strained.
It was my new found interest in botanical art that brought my husband and I over here to see the "Garden of the World" and from that point we have now moved over. He still has his work in Denmark but commutes over and I can start to really enjoy the fantastic variety and abundance of plant life here and once the furniture removal boxes have been unpacked and things have settled down I will start painting again.
The next goal is The SBA exhibition in London next year where I have to have 5 paintings accepted then I am allowed membership-which is my goal. From there I would like to try RHS and other botanical societies and just keep improving my work. So my plan from end of October to February is that I will be slaving over a steamy paintbrush and paper to achieve that aim. I know that there are at least 2 other botanical artists on the island and I am hoping to make contact with them in the near future or any other artists here for that matter.
This particular painting is not for sale as it has to go into the exhibition next year and be on sale. I have other paintings on my web-site www.angieart.minisite.dk it is a bit out of date and I have 10 other botanical paintings here at home, not on the web-site yet more up-to-date. If anyone is interested in my paintings, contact or information about The Society of Botanical Artists my e-mail address is angiedk11@hotmail.com. Angie
Nice painting Angie.
Has it stopped raining yet?
1Thanks Martin. Nope it’s still drizzling over on this side probably warmer in Denmark right now
2Lovely Angie, looks good enough to eat, better than the real thing even. Anona is my favourite fruit, straight out of the fridge, halved, and scooped like ice cream with a spoon, and window open.
Luverly bit of rain last night, kept the PSD orange brigade away in force from the political rally. I didn’t get there until late and El Bertie had already gone, and the main concert was about to start with maybe just 300 people there to watch an artist who probably cost at least €10k for the night. The PSD laid on coaches for those from the country, and lots of elderly ladies turned up wearing their best togs, probably the best night some of them have had out in years. Very few young people around.
It was quite good the concert, the visual show was very impressive, and the 9 piece group was great apart from the star himself, Marco Polo, who has past his sell by date. This act, and Tony Carreira, are doing the rounds of the island this week and next, and for anyone thinking of going to either concert in my opinion both are worth a visit.
3Super painting Angie, glad it is on the blog, have seen some of her paintings and this is real talent and I am sure it will be appreciated on the Island. Certainly better than my old “paint-by-numbers” I used to do in my youth – OK I will say it long time ago!!
Enjoy the rain everyone at least we do not have to water the plants!
4I also love anona, but eating them brings my mouth it loads of ulcers so I have to keep clear of them unfortunately! Lovely painting though.
On another point, we have some friends staying at our property in Funchal for a fortnight (they arrived a week yesterday). I have just had a phone call to say that my friend has had her bag stolen from the house when they wer eating breakfast downstairs!!! I was a bit gobsmacked as the house is not on a main road and gets very few passers by as it is set up a dead-end with only 2 other houses. Apparently, they heard the sound of a metal chair being dragged along and then someone running – they rushed upstairs to see a scruffy beared man in his mid 30’3 running down the alleyway. He took her handbag containing her phone, purse, camera etc. They called the police who arrived at the house and were extremeely helpful, but I doubt very much if she will be lucky enough to get any items back.
She did mention that she thought perhaps the chap came from an old house that is being renovated in the next road, as she noticed some builders working on the roof and it is only from there that someone could have access to the house. There si a huge great wall all the way around the house but apparently he dragged over a chair, stood on a dustbin next to the wall and entered that way. They did chase him for a bit, but he got away. have to say, I feel quite violated even though it’s not by handbag that was taken and I feel dreadful about the whole thing. She did admit that they had left the house door and some wuindows shutters.windows open, but they were in the house so she didn’t think it would matter (I often leave the windows/shutters and doors open when I am there and have never had a break-in). Can’t stop thinking about it now – wish I was there to go and try and help out and perhaps find the chap and knock his block off!
5Brilliant artwork Angie – puts my oil scenes to shame!
Emily, how horrible – I do hope that the Police catch the b****y culprit. What a rotten pig and a horrible way to spoil your friends holiday – and your peace of mind about security and the normal safe way of life here….a one off I think.
6Fantastic painting Angie, and we are getting closer to the custard apple season, so Der will be sitting there with his window open, is this to spit the pips Der???lol
Very sad about your friends bag Emily, lets hope they can find the man , but i doubt it very much, but the bag may turn up, with the items worth money missing.
7She was more upset about the camera I think as she had already taken loads of photos from places they have visited. She was going down to Funchal to try and cancel all the cards etc that were in her purse. I did say I had never heard of anything similar happening in the area and that it may be that once he has taken the purse and other valuable items, someone might at least find her bag and give it in at a police station. It has certainly made me think twice about the security issues when I am at the house on our next visit from 16 December.
8What taste does an anaona have?
are they sweet?
Like a mango?
9Maybe over to Der on this one seeing as its his favourite fruit. tried it once and had a sort of apple….and custard flavour!???!!!
10Thanks for all the great feedback and nice to make contact with some people here
Also thanks to Der for suggesting putting a painting on the blog.
they melt in the mouth like ice cream, but chew with care. More like a pear flavour I would say
11Rotten to hear about Emily’s friend-I thought it was relatively safe here, but most local people I’ve been in contact with here have told me not to leave things out on the patio-just in case!
12How about nominating a spitoon for Der!
spitooooon! I just like my fruit with some fresh air. As I live on the 4th floor, if those anona seeds went down below they could cause a lot of damage.
13A bit of earth in the spitoon and you could grow your own !
14Dear Angie:
I found your painting and blog. Beautiful painting! I had the good fortune to be accepted into a RHS competition this past March and received a Silver Medal. I traveled from the USA with my husband and my paintings. It was nerve racking getting the pieces on the flight but at least they made it there in one piece. It was a wonderful experience and I encourage you to GO FOR IT! If you are interested in seeing the work that won the Silver Medal you can go to my fineart site at: http://www.MIndyLighthipe.com Look for the selection of paintings called “Symbiosis”.
Cheers and congratulations on your accomplishments!
Mindy
15Oof! Mindy your work is superb…something to strive towards and thanks for the contact. I’ll be e-mailing you for advice perhaps!
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