Since the 11th march 2007 I have developed a fascination for Nguni Cattle. On that particular day I visited the farm, Rooipoort of our friends Carl and Rentia Malcomess. There I photographed their herd of Nguni cattle with the plan to paint a composition of the herd in the landscape of their farm. I started with a rough sketch here.
Then I composed and painted the final watercolour for them.
Since then I discovered that there was another herd of Ngunis, so with the help of the farmer, Hannes Haasbroek, I acquired a substantial photo library for future Nguni paintings. However as 2008 turned out to be an year of no painting, the idea only returned on our trip to the Baviaanskloof in May. Passing a farm at Mondplaas, near Jeffrey’s Bay, I saw a wonderful small herd of Nguni. This was the spark of inspiration that got me going again.
Several watercolour sketches followed from various sources, and finally the Big Oil painting of the Mondplaas Ngunis! It is a massive 1650 x 870 mm in size and has taken a full 2 weeks to complete.
- Ngunis in oil, finished at last! ( I think,… is a painting ever finished ? )
- John & Nula show the scale of this painting.
During the long hours of painting I listened to many inspiring sermons from some of my favourites like: John Piper , Sinclair Ferguson , Wayne Grudem , C.J.Mahaney , Don Carson , Sam Storms , Lex Loizides , Jackie Pullinger and the blog articles and interviews of Adrian Warnock
Through them all, God keeps me focused on Him, and the Holy Spirit enables me to interpret what I see into the paintings we undertake together. I marvel at the joy He must feel in the creation of these amazingly colourful and unique cattle. I am also assured that Our Lord takes pleasure in our everyday work, no matter how mundane it is. As we dedicate all that we do to Him, He will be glorified. I hope that you too have found fulfilment in walking with Jesus. May He bless you abundantly today!!
” For everything comes from Him ; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory.
To Him be glory evermore. Amen.” -Romans 11v36
- Photo of the Nguni oil taken outside to convey the true colours. (sold.)
Spring has sprung on Silvermere.
The Feathered Fruit-eaters in our Garden.
A Pastoral Study of Winter Colours
Plein-Air Painting versus Studio-Studies
A Trio of Orders
Sheep May Safely Graze
Mother Patrick, St Patrick’s Blue, & a trio of Blue Studies.
An Architectural Study.
Gardens of Delight at the Bedford Festival
Black & White in Art and Africa
- Nice painting... 
11 Comments
Love them Mom! The oil is huge. Now I want to paint.
Thanks John, Can’t wait for you to get back to painting !!!
I just love the way you have captured these cattle in such wonderful landscape. You seem to have emphasised the variety within the Nguni (Are they a native African breed?, indigenous to Southern Africa?). They seem to have huge horns!
I really like the big Nguni painting in the huge landscape. You’ve captured it beautifully! I love the guinea fowl at the top – is that also your painting? God bless…
Thanks Erna, Yes, the Guineas at the top is one of my paintings from 2008
Waar kan ek kontakbesonderhede kry
You can email me at silvermere@gmail.com
Did we indicate that the picture is now up and looking absolutely gorgeous!!!
Awesome!! My daughter, now living in the UK, is a total Nguni freak – and we would love to give her something to remind her of home – we live in Matatiele. Would we be able to purchase “prints” from you?
Regards, Sue
South Africa, and more specifically, Eastern Cape. You can check out the map on our website: http://www.africanpainting.com
My wife, Liesel has just returned from Walmer Park, Port Elizabeth and
in the back of the bakkie is a huge painting of Nguni Cattle. It is really
massive – what an investment, not only in its physical form but in the
emotional form too. We are not sure of the rand value of paintings but
we can really feel the emotions behind this painting. Barbara has a soft
loving face and personality with an extremely well set support base in
her loving family. One pop in at their stand and you can just feel the
love of her family – this surely all finds its way into her work.
Barbara – thank you so much – your painting is safe in our family home.
We will look after it every day with love. Wow it is massive. Kevin, Liesel
and family. MOoooooooooo