Yesterday I showed you some panels of text. The whole idea is for it to be a pattern of letters and the lights and dark areas are as evenly spread as the variables in the spaces around the letters. Larger areas such as surrounding an i or a v, create lighter tonal areas and smaller ones (like the counterspace in an e) create darker tonal areas. This gives the piece an abstract sense of movement. It also becomes a sort of dynamic matrix or 'net' This aluminium piece is by Heleen de Haas who is … [Read more...]
Little details in Die Letterhuis
These little details really do count and of course with a house name like Die Letterhuis, lettering is obligatory! Heleen has written on the muslin curtains in the third bedroom. (I presume using PLAKA, as this is waterproof and she uses it by the bucket!) Here is a shot of them open and a detail of them when drawn. Everything that is written is spiritual and is an oasis of welcoming because Heleen's goal is to make anyone feel welcome regardless of their beliefs. There are three benches - … [Read more...]
The House of Letters – peep inside
It has taken Heleen and Karel a long time to work out exactly how they were to use their new farm - apart from sheep farming. They knew that they wanted to reach out to other people with their gifts of hospitality and love. And Heleen also has a talent for and love of beautiful lettering. There are two parts to the farm - on either side of the main road, one with the original homestead and the other with the dams and a 1900's labourer's cottage, Die Letterhuis. Die Letterhuis will be a … [Read more...]
On the stoep
Sitting on the stoep of Die Letterhuis (left) you can see our view below. The arrow is pointing to the tree trunk which is shown in more detail if you scroll down. Newly planted olive trees and lavender bushes. And next to this are some trees with ripe butternuts growing around them. This inspired my husband Dave and Heleen to do some harvesting. We were staying at our friends new farm near Prince Albert in the Cape, South Africa. They have a B&B called Die Letterhuis which they have just … [Read more...]
Die Letterhuis
As you drive Northwards from George in South Africa, you go through some magnificent krantzes, then suddenly you reach Die Letterhuis. Now imagine two long, low, white curving walls leading into a driveway. The walls have a long inscription in white mounted metal, capitalising on the harsh shadows fo the midday sun (38 - 40 degrees in February). And just at the end of the driveway there are 7 posts. This is a Work-in-Progress, as only some are complete. Our good friend Ley Mboramwe is … [Read more...]