A Brush with Magic | Visual arts
A Brush with Magic
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25.01.2022 So glad to be able to share this special guy today!! Penella, a lovely friend of mine, asked me if I could paint a portrait of her partner Dean's beloved little boy Bob as a surprise for his birthday. Bob is such a sweet and loving soul, with a smile to light up your heart, and it was an absolute joy to be able to capture that beautiful smile and wonderful personality in paint. Thank you Pen, I am honoured that you asked me to do this for you, and to Dean, Happy Birthday - ...I hope it has been a truly special one for you to share together! Much love to you both!! xx Tabitha See more
25.01.2022 Inspired by my beautiful friend Liz and her love of bees - in particular the gorgeous fluffy English Bumble Bee ( or "fluffy bums" as we have affectionately nicknamed them), I decided to try my hand at creating a double-sided miniature portrait on a wooden bead the size of a 50 cent piece. I turned the completed bead into a pendant which I was fortunate enough to be able to give her for her birthday in person yesterday as she has been visiting from NSW. I will be forever gr...ateful for our friendship my bee-youtiful Liz, and will treasure the memories we made during your visit always I adored creating this wearable double-sided miniature- definitely keen to create some more- stay tuned #ilovebees #friendship
22.01.2022 Trying my hand at wearable miniature Artworks with these double-sided pendants. It has been so lovely to step outside the box and create them- it is a real challenge to attain a high level of detail on wooden beads the size of an Australian 50 cent piece, with each side taking about 3 hours to paint. I am really pleased with how they have turned out and I hope they are a happy addition to the up-coming Hills Art Collective Exhibition. Each double-sided pendant is strung with semi- precious stones on slip-knotted cord to make them complete and wearable. I would love your feedback on these little creations
22.01.2022 Trying my hand at wearable miniature Artworks with these double-sided pendants. It has been so lovely to step outside the box and create them- it is a real challenge to attain a high level of detail on wooden beads the size of an Australian 50 cent piece, with each side taking about 3 hours to paint. I am really pleased with how they have turned out and I hope they are a happy addition to the up-coming Hills Art Collective Exhibition. Each double-sided pendant is strung with semi- precious stones on slip-knotted cord to make them complete and wearable. I would love your feedback on these little creations
22.01.2022 Wonderful to be able to finally meet a truly lovely lady today to hand over the painting of her two beloved companions. Pat, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you today and I am overjoyed that you love the painting I have created for you of your darling Lottie and your much loved and missed Poppy. May it bring you joy in abundance
21.01.2022 I am really happy with how these mugs have turned out Having a Christmas sale on these with $2 from the sale of each mug going to the Hahndorf Animal Shelter
20.01.2022 Tissue warning- for all who have loved and lost
19.01.2022 Today, I had the great pleasure of sending this darling boy on his way back home to his family. His mum Laurie contacted me when her beloved Dustin became unwell and asked me if there was any chance of me creating a painting of her beautiful boy as she was not sure how long he would be with them. Very sadly, little Dustin gained his wings far earlier than his family could have ever expected, and they dearly miss his loving nature and gentle presence. I am hoping with all my h...eart that when Dustin's painting arrives safely home, they feel as if a part of him is back home with them where he belongs. Laurie, as I said to you earlier today, thank you so much for taking a huge leap of faith and trusting me to capture you darling boys essence in paint - it was an honour and I am sure I could feel him with me while I was painting - I feel certain he wanted to make sure that I caught him just right for you. Again, thank you so much, it has been a privilege. Much love always, Tabitha
19.01.2022 Hello my friends! It has been quite some time since I last shared my Artwork with you - I apologise for the "radio silence" but for us, like so many of you, this year has been a tad challenging with all that has been going on in the world. I hope you and your families have all stayed safe throughout the current Covid-19 crisis. We have been very fortunate here is South Australia, and I thank my lucky stars every day for being where we are. One of the major reasons I have bee...n unable to create paintings is that our dear little cottage was flooded in early February, and due water damage and the insuing repairs needed to fix our home, I have had no where to paint! I am very glad to say that I am back on track now, as I have a backlog of paintings to catch up on. So it is with great delight that I am able to share with you now a painting for a family very close to my heart. I have had the honour to paint for them several times now, and although I don't often paint people (in truth I get very nervous about painting humans) I could not resist when I saw the absolute beauty of the moment captured between a new Mum and her darling newborn son. To me, it conveys the quintessence of Motherhood and I hope that I have been able to capture the innocence and perfection of this moment for my beautiful friends. Jacki, it was so wonderful to be able to catch up with you yesterday and to give you this painting of your gorgeous daughter Emily and you darling new grandson Oliver. I hope it brings you and your family joy always. Thank you for trusting me with such a special keepsake. Love always, Tabitha See more
19.01.2022 Good morning!! So lovely to be back on line and able to share my latest creation with you! Earlier this year, I was asked if I would be able to paint this gorgeous boy as a gift for a lovely lady in Dubbo NSW to give to her husband for his birthday in October. When I saw his incredible blue eyes and fascinating markings, how could I say no? "Bob" the Harlequin Dane cross American Bulldog (incredible isn't he) has been lovingly captured in Arylic on A3 size Sustainable Pine Ti...mber Artist Board (I love using products that are as ethically produced as possible). I particularly like this board as it is very durable and hangs like a canvas, but has an ultra smooth surface which is perfect for capturing fine details without adding a texture to the finished painting -especially important when painting someone as intricately marked as dear Bob is! 90 hours in the creation - I loved every minute spent in painting this glorious boy for his family. I was so delighted to hear that he arrived safe and sound yesterday and his family love him - I wondered if you would be able to keep him under wraps until your husband's actual birthday Kelly :) :) Happy Birthday Brentley, I hope you and your family enjoy Bob's Painting for many years to come - may it serve as a reminder of your love for each other- and for Bob - each and every time you look at it. And thank you Kelly - I has been an absolute privilege to paint for you! <3 xx Tabitha
18.01.2022 I always feel incredibly blessed and humbled when I am asked to create a painting as a special gift for someones loved one. And with Christmas being a time where of giving and sharing, I have had the privilege to be part of some truly beautiful surprises ! The first one I have the honour to share is this glorious boy! Maui is a much beloved member of his family and I was overjoyed to be asked to create this special keepsake of him. I was told of the very special relationshi...p that Maui has with his favourite toy- a little lion club that he shares his food and treats with apparently, and so it was very important to make sure that Maui was captured with his special buddy!! I love hearing stories like these, and it is so lovely to be able to include toys, favourite spots in the garden and other such things that help tell make their portraits all the more memorable. I have used several photos to best capture Maui- a bit of a split between when he has his boofy hair, and his just clipped look I am so delighted to hear that Maui's family love the painting I created for them- he was such a joy to paint and I hope that it brings happiness to his family for many years to come. Thank you so much Bronwyn for entrusting him to me for such a special gift- I hope I did you proud! Merry Christmas and much love to you and your beautiful family See more
18.01.2022 It is always a pleasure to be asked to create a special gift for someone's loved one - and this painting was no exception. Whilst the majority of the paintings I create are animals or have an envonmental theme, I do love to try my hand at other subjects, and so I was delighted to be asked to paint this beautiful family home for a lovely lady as a surprise for beloved Dad's Birthday. Full of special memories for them all including a leadlight window featuring her sister ridin...g her horse- I tried to capture as many of the tiny details as possible in order to preserve the uniqueness of their gorgeous mudbrick and Log cablin style home. It was really enjoyable to again work with the "sketch/wash" style that I first tried my hand at in late 2017, and I hope that Kim and her family have enjoyed the results as much as I loved painting it! Thank you so much for asking me to create this for you and your family Kim -Special Birthday wishes from me to your Dad, and I hope it brings him joy and reminds him of how much you, your brother and your family love him every time he looks at it. xx Tabitha
18.01.2022 Wonderful to be able to finally meet a truly lovely lady today to hand over the painting of her two beloved companions. Pat, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you today and I am overjoyed that you love the painting I have created for you of your darling Lottie and your much loved and missed Poppy. May it bring you joy in abundance
18.01.2022 Last year, I pledged to paint a series of paintings as gifts to lovely people who donated to the Leukaemia Foundation Light the Night Appeal. Truth be told, this year has been a pretty full on one for me - much more so than I anticipated - and due to work, volunteer and family commitments my painting time has been significantly impacted. I am still playing catch up with my donations, and am so grateful for the patience and understanding of those who are waiting to receive the...m. I am so happy to say that this beautiful soul has made her way home to her family finally. This is darling Zara, the beloved companion of my lovely friend Michelle. Zara very sadly passed away earlier this year, and it was a great honour to know that I had the opportunity to create this special keepsake of her for Michelle and her family. Thank you for entrusting her to me Michelle - I hope I have done your precious little lady justice and that you feel you have a little of her back with you to watch over you always. And again, sincere thanks for supporting the Light the Night Appeal- your generosity and compassion is incredible Sending my love and thoughts to you all <3 Your friend, Tabitha <3
15.01.2022 Since I have a few painting on the go at the moment that I am unable to share as yet, I am having a throw back to a painting I did back in 2012 for a lovely friend of mine Cassie Hogben requested as a surprise for her husband Matt's 40th birthday. We spent about 3 fun filled hours combining all of his favourite things, from his Les Paul Guitar and Hahn Superdry beer, to his favourite team, the Mighty Hawks. 125 hours of Painting time later, his painting was unveiled!!... It was such a joy to create this piece - every step of the journey was a learning curve and I loved watching as each part emerged from the paper. Because of it's uniqueness, it has long been one of my most enjoyable paintings to create and will always hold a very special place in my heart. And as the anniversary of Matt's birthday has just past, I wish Matt a very happy Birthday - hope you had a fabulous day!! xx Tabitha #Hawks #lespaulguitar #happybirthday #Marshallamplifier
15.01.2022 So glad to be able to share this special guy today!! Penella, a lovely friend of mine, asked me if I could paint a portrait of her partner Dean's beloved little boy Bob as a surprise for his birthday. Bob is such a sweet and loving soul, with a smile to light up your heart, and it was an absolute joy to be able to capture that beautiful smile and wonderful personality in paint. Thank you Pen, I am honoured that you asked me to do this for you, and to Dean, Happy Birthday - ...I hope it has been a truly special one for you to share together! Much love to you both!! xx Tabitha See more
14.01.2022 Our Companion Animals, our furkids, our fluffy family members bring such joy and love to our lives. They teach us compassion, and selflessness and how to love unconditionally. I know that for our family, our furbabies are the centre of our family life and our home, and I always strive to be the person that they think I am, especially when our beloved little Foxy x Chihuahua looks into my eyes with such love. This gorgeous boy was no exception for his family. When speaking to ...his human mum Natalie, she told me that Hugo was a gentle, loving boy, who's heart and soul shone in his eyes. It was with great sadness that their beautiful boy crossed the rainbow bridge last May, and his absence is still deeply felt. They hoped that a painting of dear Hugo would bring a little piece of him back into his home, and I am humbled that she and Mike have trusted me with such a special task. I must admit that I was a little worried when I looked at Hugo's photos that I would have a bit of difficulty in bring him together, as the pictures, though beautiful, did not have the crispness of focus that is needed to truly capture each subject I paint. But my doubt turned to joy when I realised just how much Hugo wanted to be painted! I often feel the presence of the little people with me when I paint, it is as if they are helping me and guiding my hand as I work, and Hugo was definitely there with me each and every time I picked up my brush. Natalie, I know from our conversations over the past week that you feel what I felt as Hugo's painting came together, and now that he is home with you, I hope his painting brings a sense of him with you forevermore. Thank you for your trust, your patience and for our wonderful new friendship. Much love to you, Mike and your family. Your friend, Tabitha x See more
13.01.2022 A beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon experimenting with bead painting I hope you have all had a great weekend doing things that you enjoy with the people you love
12.01.2022 Darling Jax was the " third child" in his home and was cheeky, naughty, spoiled and absolutely adored by his family. He lived out his incredible 17 and a half years surrounded with love- just as he deserved to I recently had the privilege to create this tribute to dear Jax as a surprise birthday present for his human Dad, and am honoured to be able to share him with you now. His Human mum Tracey asked if I could use the photos of Jax in his later years, but give him back h...is youthful appearance- this is one of the things I feel so lucky to be able to do with my paintings as I can help to recreate memories by making sure all the little extra details that may not be present in photos can come to life in their picture. Thank you so much Tracey- painting Jax for you, Brad and your family was such a beautiful experience, and I hope his painting will be a constant reminder of the love you shared forevermore. Much love, Tabitha See more
11.01.2022 It brings me such joy to share this darling little lady today Though Jessie is physically tiny, she has a huge heart, and is the beloved companion of a lovely friend of mine. Jessie was rescued by her mum Penella 7 years ago from a puppy farm where she had become quite frail due to constant pregnancies. She is now about 15 years old, and Penny has lovingly nursed her through many bouts of illnesses over the years. To be able to create this keepsake of dear little Jessie is ...a time I will treasure always, especially as I know how much it means to her family. I thought I would share a few of her reference photos to show how her painting came together Thank you my beautiful friend for asking to paint her- I am so glad she has finally arrived safe and sound, (inspite of her two detours through Brisbane ??) and I am thrilled that you love her. Xxx Tabitha See more
10.01.2022 A few years ago, I had the privilege of meeting one of the most loving, generous and compassionate women I have ever come across. Tara Ramsey is the Guardian Angel to the animals that come into her care, and he dedication to their wellbeing is inspiring. She is also one of the most humble people I have ever met, and gives her whole heart to those in need. Tara often takes in animals that she knows have significant health issues, and may not have a long time ahead of them on t...his earth, but she treats each and everyone of them as if they are the most precious beings in the Universe. I have had the honour to paint several of Tara's beloved companions now, and painting this beautiful soul for her was such a joy as Dinah's beautiful nature radiated out of the photos and touched my heart. I will share a litle of Dinah's story with you now - in Tara's own words, as a tribute to this darling soul..... "From the moment I saw the picture of her squishy little face on the Blacktown Pound website I just knew that she was meant to be a part of my life. What I didn't know was just how much of an impact she would make on everyone during her short time on this Earth. Dinah was the first little flat face cat I would adopt, and it was because of her that I developed a special interest in the rescue of her breed, regardless of the devastating health challenges that I knew might arise. Dinah was able to overcome many obstacles relating to her health and people were often amazed at how stoic she was and the way that she never, ever lost her beautiful nature. I will be lost without my little shadow and the way that she would hold out her arms to be picked up and touch my face when she wanted a cuddle. I will miss hearing her funny little snorts and the way she would only drink water out of a running tap. At the end of the day, her heart was simply too big for her tiny little body and the kindest gift to give her was to let her go." Bless you Tara, you truly are and Earth Angel and your beautiful Furbabies will watch over you Always <3 xx Tabitha
10.01.2022 A beautiful way to spend a Sunday afternoon experimenting with bead painting I hope you have all had a great weekend doing things that you enjoy with the people you love
09.01.2022 To be asked to paint a cherished companion is always such a honour for me, and this stunning fellow was no exception. Earlier this year, I was contacted by a lovely lady to see if I could paint their beautiful horse Chester, whom they had sadly said goodbye to after 30 years. They had been through so much with him as a part of their family, including immigrating from England with him and are devastated by his loss. Though I haven't painted many horses, I find them such magi...cal souls to capture, and from the tips of his ears to his soft muzzle, Chester stole my heart with each brushstroke. It means so much to me to know that upon receiving his painting, Chester's family hugged and shared a few tears together as they felt their darling boy is now home with them again- forever Thank you for the privilege and for the trust it takes to place your hearts in my hands Xx Tabitha See more
09.01.2022 Inspired by my beautiful friend Liz and her love of bees - in particular the gorgeous fluffy English Bumble Bee ( or "fluffy bums" as we have affectionately nicknamed them), I decided to try my hand at creating a double-sided miniature portrait on a wooden bead the size of a 50 cent piece. I turned the completed bead into a pendant which I was fortunate enough to be able to give her for her birthday in person yesterday as she has been visiting from NSW. I will be forever gr...ateful for our friendship my bee-youtiful Liz, and will treasure the memories we made during your visit always I adored creating this wearable double-sided miniature- definitely keen to create some more- stay tuned #ilovebees #friendship
09.01.2022 Blessings to all who put their lives on the line to protect us
09.01.2022 There is something extraordinarily soothing about a Pallet full of colour I love that no matter how grey the day is- either physically or emotionally- a rainbow can always be found if you truly seek to find one Feeling the need to play with a bit of colour for a tiny surprise project. Wishing you all love- may you find your rainbows when you need them
07.01.2022 I think it is fairly safe to say that each and every time someone reaches out to me and shares their stories of love and connection with their beloved companions, it never fails to touch my heart. And it is then even more humbling when they then ask me to paint them for them as a memory to treasure. Even after the many years now that I have been doing so, I still am overwhelmed by the trust that is placed in me to capture the essence and soul of loved ones, particularly if t...hey have crossed the reainbow bridge. This darling soul is no exception. I was asked by a very lovely lady to capture Evie's glorious personality and image as a gift to be given on Mother's Day for her Mother-in-Law to be. Evie was sadly lost to her family earlier this year to a snake bite, which has been devastating to her family. I have been told that many tears, both of love and sorry combined when the painting was reveiled on Sunday. I truly appreciate finding out how each painting is received and am extremely grateful to Stef for sharing it with me. Much love to you and your beautiful family Stef, thank you again for your trust and belief in me. <3 See more
07.01.2022 Giving thanks to an Angel who came to the rescue - bless your heart Catherine Motter <3
07.01.2022 Hello everyone! My first post of the year- how is it March already?? I am absolutely delighted to finally be able to share this dear little man- I painting him earlier this year, but as he was a special surprise for my beautiful friend Penella to give to her beloved Mum for her Birthday, he has been under wraps until now It was such a pleasure painting Oscar- he is full of happiness and personality, and is cherished deeply by his wonderful family. Thank you my beautiful f...riend for trusting ne with another one if your beloved fur family members- each and every one has been a privilege and I hope that they all bring you and your family joy each time you look at them Sending you all love and gratitude in abundance X Tabitha See more
06.01.2022 ***SALE TIME*** I think by now you all know not just how much I love painting and creating, but also the pure joy I receive from others enjoying my work too! As our little cottage is somewhat bursting at the seams with family photos and Artwork by our children, I have run out of room to display some of the pieces I have created in the last year or so, and in truth, as much as love them, I would be thrilled for others who have more space than we do, to give them a new home wh...ere they can bring happiness <3 And so, for a limited time only, I am offering some of my favourites at crazy prices so that they can find there way to a new home! Prices on request if you are interested - but ALL pieces are under $500! 10% of each sale will be donated to Guardian Angel Animal Rescue. * If you know of anyone who would love one of these, pIease feel free to share
05.01.2022 I have definitely come to realise over the years that as well as love, the most valuable thing you have to give someone is your time. Life can be a rollercoaster juggling act, and we often find ourselves so busy that time slips past in the blink of an eye. So when my beautiful Mum made me promise not to make a fuss or buy her anything for Mothers Day, I took inspiration from that wonderful childhood time that brings such smiles to the faces of Mum's everywhere when their chi...ld brings home the gifts that have been lovingly crafted, and decided to spend time making something that I knew would tell her that she was in my heart during it's creation. My Mum loves butterflies, so I spent an enjoyable afternoon yesterday giving this lovely recycled timber frame a freshen up by hand-painting some monarch and common blue butterflies on it, to complement a recent photo of me with my gorgeous boys at the Mount Lofty Botanical Gardens taken by my darling husband on my birthday. It is because of the support and encouragement from my parents that I paint, so to be able to share that with my mum today and see how much she loved it was such a special moment. To all the incredible Mums, step-mums, grandmothers and family who take on such an important nurturing role in a child's life, I wish you a very happy Mother's Day- you are amazing! And to my own beautiful Mum, I absolutely adore you- thank you for being my Mum! <3
04.01.2022 It brings me such joy to share this darling little lady today Though Jessie is physically tiny, she has a huge heart, and is the beloved companion of a lovely friend of mine. Jessie was rescued by her mum Penella 7 years ago from a puppy farm where she had become quite frail due to constant pregnancies. She is now about 15 years old, and Penny has lovingly nursed her through many bouts of illnesses over the years. To be able to create this keepsake of dear little Jessie is ...a time I will treasure always, especially as I know how much it means to her family. I thought I would share a few of her reference photos to show how her painting came together Thank you my beautiful friend for asking to paint her- I am so glad she has finally arrived safe and sound, (inspite of her two detours through Brisbane ??) and I am thrilled that you love her. Xxx Tabitha See more
02.01.2022 Very much looking forward to spending a wonderful day in great company today as we hang over 150 Artworks for the Hills Art Collective (HAC) May Exhibition in the Mount Barker Town Hall. Life has been a tad hectic over the last few months and I had no idea until just this weekend as to whether or not I would have any of my own work to display in the Exhibiton. As fortune would have it though, I had started both of these pieces last year, but had put them aside to work on pai...ntings for other people. So after a few very late nights (or rather, early mornings) "Midnight" and "Three's Company" have come into being! I must have a thing for owls and wolves at the moment, and have loved seeing both of these pieces finally completed- especially as I am loath to leave a piece unfinished when they have already begun to come to life for me. Having seen the dozens of outstanding artworks when we sorted them all on Monday ready to be hung today, I really hope you get a chance to visit the HAC Exhibition over the course of next week, as it is going to look magnificent! Opening night is this Friday, the 10th May from 7pm - come and join us if you can for complimentary Drinks and Nibbles, and amazing Art! <3 Tabitha See more
01.01.2022 Hello my friends! It has been quite some time since I last shared my Artwork with you - I apologise for the "radio silence" but for us, like so many of you, this year has been a tad challenging with all that has been going on in the world. I hope you and your families have all stayed safe throughout the current Covid-19 crisis. We have been very fortunate here is South Australia, and I thank my lucky stars every day for being where we are. One of the major reasons I have bee...n unable to create paintings is that our dear little cottage was flooded in early February, and due water damage and the insuing repairs needed to fix our home, I have had no where to paint! I am very glad to say that I am back on track now, as I have a backlog of paintings to catch up on. So it is with great delight that I am able to share with you now a painting for a family very close to my heart. I have had the honour to paint for them several times now, and although I don't often paint people (in truth I get very nervous about painting humans) I could not resist when I saw the absolute beauty of the moment captured between a new Mum and her darling newborn son. To me, it conveys the quintessence of Motherhood and I hope that I have been able to capture the innocence and perfection of this moment for my beautiful friends. Jacki, it was so wonderful to be able to catch up with you yesterday and to give you this painting of your gorgeous daughter Emily and you darling new grandson Oliver. I hope it brings you and your family joy always. Thank you for trusting me with such a special keepsake. Love always, Tabitha See more
01.01.2022 I always feel incredibly blessed and humbled when I am asked to create a painting as a special gift for someones loved one. And with Christmas being a time where of giving and sharing, I have had the privilege to be part of some truly beautiful surprises ! The first one I have the honour to share is this glorious boy! Maui is a much beloved member of his family and I was overjoyed to be asked to create this special keepsake of him. I was told of the very special relationshi...p that Maui has with his favourite toy- a little lion club that he shares his food and treats with apparently, and so it was very important to make sure that Maui was captured with his special buddy!! I love hearing stories like these, and it is so lovely to be able to include toys, favourite spots in the garden and other such things that help tell make their portraits all the more memorable. I have used several photos to best capture Maui- a bit of a split between when he has his boofy hair, and his just clipped look I am so delighted to hear that Maui's family love the painting I created for them- he was such a joy to paint and I hope that it brings happiness to his family for many years to come. Thank you so much Bronwyn for entrusting him to me for such a special gift- I hope I did you proud! Merry Christmas and much love to you and your beautiful family See more
