I painted this delightful little bird for my annual exhibition at the Grahamstown Arts Festival. Birds represent my second love as a subject to paint after aviation and I have painted many examples over the years, especially the raptors I have seen on my visits to the Kruger National Park. I find that acrylics are an ideal medium to use for the detail needed to paint the layered textures of the feathers.
This unusual American jet fighter is the subject of one of 10 small paintings commissioned by a friend and art collector in the US. Efficient in the air, but hazardous operating from carrier decks, this aircraft had a high accident loss rate and had a short service life with the US NAVY. Painting bare metal is challenging for an artist, but I am glad for the challenge and was able to use this to good effect on the Cutlass’s colourful livery scheme. This was the first time I had painted this fighter and I was glad for the opportunity to paint one of the lesser-known jet aircraft.
This magnificent aircraft is the subject of this painting commissioned by a client in the UK, the country of origin of the Shackleton. This Mk3 model was one of 8 or so aircraft used by the SAAF from the late 1950’s up until 1984. As a young, boy I saw a flight of 6 Shackletons fly over our school, so there is a measure of sentiment each time I have the opportunity to paint this beautiful aeroplane. I was interested to learn that the client who ordered this original, owns one of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engines from Shackleton 1717.
