Aloe Sentinels • Oil On Canvas • 120 x 150cm
The Schoemanskloof valley is surrounded by steep hills and the north-facing slopes are peppered with thousands of majestic Aloe Marlothii. They stand like soldiers on guard and seem more human than plant. They are perfectly arranged, as if a landscape designer was there before me, and it was interesting to observe their distribution while painting them. Winter is particularly beautiful in this valley. This is when the orange flowers of the aloes light up the hills. The sun is at a lower angle, the shadows turn purple and the sun catches the dry blonde grass on the slopes.