Category Archives: Emile Manefeldt Art

Reduction Wood cut

Reduction woodcut is a graphic printing process using wood as basis. the process is similar to wood cut and lino cut prints except that one use the same block of wood to do the printing but reducing the amount of printing surface with every print. Colours are used from lightest to darkest so that lighter colours can shine through. It is a time consuming process the art buying public do not understand. Every print is still an original work of art. Each one is different.

 

I try to present, in these woodcuts my loves in life:

I love old buildings. In South Africa we see a lot of small independent grocers. They usually occupy old buildings and they call themselves cafe’s.

Pardon Cafe Pious cafe Continue reading Reduction Wood cut

Recycle, upcycle

I am a sucker for collecting stuff. All kinds of useless stuff most people just throw away. I am sure that sooner or later I might need it. The result was a gararge so full that there was no place for a motor vehicle.

Then I decided to start making things, using all the useless stuff. Fortunately a very appreciative niece was there to encourage me. It started off with an extra piece of leather left over from furniture that was re-upholstered.

I used the leather in combination with pieces of wood. The first one as a backpack. As it was for my daughter, studying as a winemaker, using parts of an small wine barrel as sides to the bag. An old soft rope was used as back pack carriers.

Backpack
Backpack

Continue reading Recycle, upcycle

Making Books

Ever since I can remember, I had a love for books. Especially empty ones, like note books, books for drawing or painting in. If it had a nice hard cover it is even better. I can spend a whole morning in a bookshop in front of a bookshelf with Moleskin books in them.

The books that I do buy I usually use as Travel Journals. A5 size that will fit in my pocket or backpack. I draw whatever presents itself to me. Usually buildings. I love architecture. But even on visiting an art  museum I will take out my pen and draw what is in front of me. You may say it is easier to take a photo, (and a lot quicker) but if I draw something, it is as if I really see it. And remember it better!

 

Eiffel Tower with travel notes.
Eiffel Tower with travel notes.
Visit to the Picasso museum
Visit to the Picasso museum
Coffee in the square
Coffee in the square

Continue reading Making Books

Insect hotel

We are often lead to believe that, for a gardener, insects are your prime enemy. We create gardens sterile from insects. If we can create gardens closer to nature, where insects and their predators can balance each other out, the instances where pests take over will happen less often.

Secondly , there are many useful insects to a gardener. Predators that will keep pests in control. Parasites , like wasps that  use other insects to use as living food for their small ones. Bugs to help with pollinating flowers and fruit trees. They also serve as food for larger predators like birds and small reptiles.

Neat gardens and lawns have less and less space to accommodate  insects. Lately I saw several insect hotels. This is man made structures that can provide shelter for a variety of insects. They are east to build and can give an interesting focal point to a garden. All you need is a framework filled with hiding space and potential food. Mostly stuff we will throw away on a daily basis. Bark, twigs, pieces of wood and gardening left overs.

Your hotel will be as pretty as you can be creative and will gives lots of joy!

Insect hotel in the Luxemburgh Gardens in Paris
  Insect hotel in the Luxemburgh Gardens in Paris
Insect Hotel in the historic gardens of Babylonstoren
Insect Hotel in the historic gardens of Babylonstoren
Small Boutique hotel on Manefeldt property
Small Boutique hotel on Manefeldt property