Solly's chickens - 84 Vlakplaas

W&N watercolour on Bockingford 300gsm 

A couple of Solly's chickens having a snack near his house on our smallholding.

Artemis and the girls

Ink sketch and W&N watercolours on a coffee back-ground – Nescafé instant, black and very strong! – Bockingford 300gsm 

As I sat on the lawn one morning, enjoying our gorgeous Autumn weather, I decided to do a quick sketch of Artemis keeping a watchful eye on the girls as they scratched for titbits on the lawn. As long as they are happy, he won’t move, so he makes a perfect subject!

King of the (new) Roost

“I did not become a vegetarian for my health, I did it for the health of the chickens.”

- Isaac Bashevis Singer

"King of the Roost" watercolour on Visual 140gsm - Maree©
Size : 12" x 8.5" unframed

'Kingston', the above rooster, was saved from the dinner pot when I bought him, together with a couple of his hens, from Solly, who was going to slaughter him for supper. Hopefully, with the money I paid him, he will now go buy something else for supper!

The above quote made me think... shall I become a vegetarian...?

ITEM ID : KingOfTheRoost

PRICE - R350.00 including postage in South Africa

The Black Pirate - SOLD

"If I didn't start painting, I would have raised chickens."

- Grandma Moses

"The Black pirate" - watercolour on Moleskine 200gsm - Maree©
Size : 12" x 8" unframed - SOLD

This guy might be the reason for one of Solly's other roosters hanging out with only one hen and not associating with the rest of the crowd - as this chap struts past my gate, giving me the beady eye, and not condescending to enter, he seems pretty sure that no-one in the yard is going to challenge his authority - ever!

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Fine Feathers - SOLD

"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."

- Aesop

"Fine Feathers" watercolour on Moleskine 200gsm watercolour paper - Maree©
Size : 12" x 8" - SOLD

This is my neighbour's prize bantam rooster, as far as I'm concerned, anyway. I took a photograph of him on a very windy day and he had a lot of trouble staying on his feet as the wind kept catching him from behind, sending him scurrying with fast little paces! This was painted using the photograph as reference.

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