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+27 82 218 1906
Pretoria South Africa
lena@lenahugo.com
Just felt like drawing something pretty. Happy Fri Just felt like drawing something pretty.
Happy Friday!

#pasteldrawing #horseportraits #babyhorse #chalkpastel #hardpastel #softpastel
In my previous post I revisited some of my persona In my previous post I revisited some of my personal most cherished working portraits that I made over the years. In my portraits I aim to move beyond realism: to portray, if possible, the character underneath a person’s skin. The closer I look, the more mesmerised I become by the transparentness of skin and the suggestion of the many layers of form and meaning that lies underneath, weaving each scar and imperfection into my people’s stories - imaginary or true. It may be that I make people appear older, or more ‘lived’ than what they really are. By the end of a portrait, I feel like I have a relationship with the person portrayed and I care deeply about them.

Here are a closer look at those same 5 artworks in the same sequence.

#workers #pastelportraits #chalkpastel #beyondrealism #pastelart #migrantworkers #pasteldrawings #hardpastels #softpastels #portraitart
Looking back over many years of drawing portraits Looking back over many years of drawing portraits of workers, I love them all, but here are some of my personal favourites:
1.The Planner 2011
2.William Matseba 2015
3.Man II 2016
4.Plantation Worker 2017 and
5.Paper Lady 2017

#workers #pastelportraits #migrantworkers #chalkpastel #hardpastel #softpastel #drawingportraits
Elements reflected in the natural world so effecti Elements reflected in the natural world so effectively mirror or enhance our own emotional state: a howling wind, a fallen tree, dark foreboding clouds, a fresh breeze on the summit of a mountain -rays of sunlight after weeks of incessant turmoil.

“The day before the storm I”
90cm x 90cm
Pastel on wooden board

From the group show “Wildlife - Then and Now” @the_viewingroomgallery_ 
Last weekend to view.

#pastellandscape #pastelart #stormclouds #darkatmosphere #romanticlandscape #darkoptimism
May you have strength to work till the end of your May you have strength to work till the end of your days. May your hands never forget their skill. May your eyes endure. May you remember everything that’s true. And may you find time to enjoy your hard work.

#pastelportrait #inthestudiotoday #southafticanartist  #pastelartist #migrantworker #dustandsoot
Happy Worker’s Day! “Worker” 122 x 85cm Pas Happy Worker’s Day!

“Worker”
122 x 85cm
Pastel on wooden board 

#workersday #migrantworker #pastelportrait #chalkpastel #sugarcaneworker #hardpastel #softpastel
It’s raining AGAIN in Pretoria. It seems like we It’s raining AGAIN in Pretoria. It seems like we will never see the sun again, and I can’t help but thinking: “This is what a nuclear winter would feel like”.
The storms have been following me around lately. Not figurative ones. No, literal ones! 
I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Careful, careful human race.

The day before the storm II is another one of my “storm” works that will form part of the group exhibition Wildlife: Then & Now, opening tomorrow, Saturday 25 April, 11:00am at The Viewing Room Gallery, 492 Fehrsen Street, Brooklyn, Pretoria.
The exhibition explores the evolving portrayal of wildlife, both as a testament to what once was and a call to action in a time of loss.

The day before the storm II was inspired by my recent @saffca.eu_saffca.npc .npc art residency at @lionsandsgamereserve 
This one stands at 95cm x 75cm, pastel on board.

Please brave the weather and join us tomorrow for a warm and welcoming morning of art and community @the_viewingroomgallery_ 
Parking is available at the gallery and at Cherry Lane Centre accross the road.

#wildlifeart #landscapeart #giraffe #pastelart #chalkpastel #hardpastel #softpastel #stormclouds
Before the Storm miniatures 10cm x 15cm Pastel on Before the Storm miniatures 10cm x 15cm
Pastel on sandpaper laid down on board
Exhibited at this years Klein Karoo National Arts Festival 

If you look closely you will see tiny antelope, about 4mm big on the artwork. 😅

#landscapes #miniatures #pastel #chalkpastel #hardpastel #softpastel #artonsandpaper
The problem is that we can’t stop even if we wan The problem is that we can’t stop even if we wanted to. Here I am with @the_lizels on the morning of my departure for Gauteng and we’re showing what we’re  up to while we’re supposed to “rest”. 
Both are works in progress and we’re still figuring out their outcomes and solutions.

#artinprogresss #artists #artprocess #fibreart #pastelart #softsculpture #landscape
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Contact Info
+27 82 218 1906
Pretoria South Africa
lena@lenahugo.com

Copyright Lena Hugo