Gentle water cascading over peaceful rocks under an angry, fiery sky. I painted this from my mood that day - conflicted. I felt pressured, as if time was quietly slipping away from me, and heavy clouds hung overhead. Thankfully, this painting was a distraction - the abstraction of art cleared my mind and let the light in so I could keep fighting another day. Ataraxia Series Meaning: Calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet. Ataraxia is a Greek term first used in Ancient Greek philosophy by Pyrrho and subsequently Epicurus and the Stoics for a lucid state of robust equanimity characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. In non-philosophical usage, the term was used to describe the ideal mental state for soldiers entering battle. 40cm (w) x 50cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

I used a combination of wet & dry brush, keeping it loose and raw instead of "polished" because I wanted the strokes to be bold & daring, as are the colours. Inspired by the Swellendam - Buffeljags region. 51cm (w) x 51cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

Along the coast to Agulhas you get a lot more drama from the ocean due to the waves crashing on the rocks, but it also tends to collect mist, even when the Struisbaai side is clear. I’m beginning to think I’m a storm chaser because even when the weather isn’t optimal I know there’s going to be something amazing to see 76cm w x 61cm h Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

Ever been so hot that it felt like the air was sucking the spit right out of your throat? A two hour drive away from where I live to a town called Barrydale which is at the cusp of the "Klein Karoo" (a beautiful desert). This particular weekend was stifling hot, and I couldn't resist capturing how I felt on canvas.

• NOTE: This painting is exclusively available at the Gouritz "Inspired by Nature" exhibition, 12 Nov - 10th Dec 2022 https://gouritz.com/inspired-by-nature/

76cm (w) x 38cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

This portrait title is a play on words - the face is illuminated from light flowing between blinds in front of the window, and although her eyes are open she can't see the truth of what is happening outside - or perhaps within. Physically she is lit by blinds, esoterically she is blinded. Your interpretation may vary from mine - whether a social statement regarding the state of mankind unable to see what is happening around them, or blinded by their own distractions. During the first hard lock downs I was disheartened how neighbours turned against each other. We had a WhatsApp group & a lady ratted on an old gentleman who was walking his dog 15 minutes past curfue, threatening to phone the police. This painting is a play on the lady being "blind" and the lighting from her window blinds as she peers out her window to spy on her community. 36cm (w) x 36cm (h) Acrylic on canvas board

During lock downs I broke the beach ban rules. I was chased a few times by police (got really fit!). Some people say it's selfish, I don't really care - it was a stupid law with no scientific merit, and my sanity (and that of my dog) was more important at the time. I don’t see how sun, fresh air, sea water and sand between your toes could be a hazard to ones health - quite the opposite, in my view. Ataraxia Series Meaning: Calmness untroubled by mental or emotional disquiet. Ataraxia is a Greek term first used in Ancient Greek philosophy by Pyrrho and subsequently Epicurus and the Stoics for a lucid state of robust equanimity characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. In non-philosophical usage, the term was used to describe the ideal mental state for soldiers entering battle. 100cm (w) x 66cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

Our local harbour is always abuzz with activity, & I often take my daughter there for a swim & an icecream, where we say hello to the friendly sting-rays being fed by the fishermen after they've gutted & cleaned their fish. On this day I snapped a quick, shy photo as one of the fishermen rowed in after a long day out at sea. 76cm (w) x 61cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

I’d been to Plettenberg on many occasions but never thought to bring any paints with, until this time. As usual, I was worried about damaging canvasses so I took a canvas board with (dogs, children, toys & limited space!). I regret it now, because there was so much inspiration, I could’ve done 10 paintings in the 2 weeks we were there last. 41cm (w) x 41cm (h) canvas on board Ataraxia series

SOLD Is she committing suicide, jumping in a pool, or something else? We don't often know how people are feeling, even when they appear to be laughing and happy - especially when it comes to social media. They could be drowning in debt, suffering domestic abuse quietly hoping "he will change", or simply want to escape. When we're down we often swim the wrong away - away from the light - and sink further into our problems. 40cm (w) x 41cm (h) Acrylic on canvas

This small painting was captured from a hurried photograph I took along the route between Caledon and Napier, before we moved to Struisbaai. I’d taken a small canvas with me in case the mood struck to paint - and it did. 40cm (w) x 40cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series

Early morning strolls on the beach when it's misty and the light is peeking through.

The internet is a strange place. I'm fairly new to Instagram, but one thing I noticed is hordes of young women, pouting, sticking their tongues out, posing suggestively and a milliard of them in front of mirrors, cellphone in hand. A thought that struck me was - are they happy? I felt a sense of sadness, desperation for "likes" & wondered if it didn't come from a deep rooted sense of self loathing, not feeling good enough, that they take to an intense form of internet bravado & self-absorption. 61cm (w) x 78cm (h) Acrylic on canvas  

SOLD A slightly surreal scene of a lone Elephant in ambient light from a setting sun. "Gentle Giant" 60cm (w) x 40cm (h) Acrylic on canvas

Hout Bay is an area in Cape Town, South Africa. It's famous for it's big wave surfing (Dungeons) and infamous for it's politics, with three camps - the well-off, the black township, and the Khoisan fishermen. What was once a peaceful place soon became cramped, spurring political unrest, riots, and violent crime sprees. I called it "Hard Bay" instead of "Hout Bay" because anyone living there has been through hard times. Still, it's a beautiful place surrounded my magnificent mountains. 51cm (w) x 26cm (h) Acrylic on hardboard with wood frame backing Ataraxia series

A small delightful seascape which is immersed in the backlit waves.

• NOTE: This painting is exclusively available at the Gouritz "Inspired by Nature" exhibition, 12 Nov - 10th Dec 2022 https://gouritz.com/inspired-by-nature/

The estate I live in - Langezandt Fishermens Village - as viewed from the ocean side. I'd painted this on the beach, so the paint is thick and heavy. I had to paint fast so it's expressive and unpolished - raw and in the moment. 91cm (w) x 61cm (h) Acrylic on canvas Ataraxia series