Our very own @openstudioskommetjie artist and sculptor, Chip Snaddon, revealed his larger than life Clawless Otter sculpture made from invasive, alien plant matter in the lower Silvermine Wetlands area this past Friday. The Otter sculpture aims to highlight the ecological importance of the wetland and ongoing conservation efforts in the area. Martin Scholtz, a Friends of Silvermine Nature Area (Fosna) committee member, said Fosna wanted to create a fun learning experience while also emphasising the environmental value of the wetland, especially after recent construction to move the power cables running through the collapsed bridge had caused “quite a bit of disruption” (“Valley power supply in peril”, Echo, August, 2024). Fosna commissioned the sculpture, and Mr Scholtz said the otter was chosen for its symbolic value. “The otter, often seen as a symbol of joy, playfulness, and adaptability in various cultures, was chosen to reflect the resilience of nature,” he said. “It has been wonderful to watch Chip (Snaddon) work and to see the sculpture grow. He has taken such care to create the otter,” said Mr Scholtz, adding that it is “a very solid structure” and also represents the fragility of nature as it will need to be maintained, emphasising the role of the community and custodians of the wetland. Chip said it had taken him more than a month to complete the sculpture. “It’s been challenging working at this scale and using reference photos and videos, but I am very pleased with the results,” he said. We love the sculpture Chip! Thanks for the beautiful pics Wolfgang Muller! @uptakefilms @chipsnadart @chipsnad #artliveshere #openstudioskommetjie #environmentalsculpture #kommetjiecommunity

Ruth’s interesting painting process Repost from @ruthlerouxpaintings Spacey video of my painting process. The first layer is an expressive painting and over that I draw hours and hours of lines of white paint with an acrylic paint pen. Thanks @wolfmuller for the cool vid.

We are so excited to announce that Tracey @tracey_seeff from Seeff Kommetjie will once again be our sponsor for Open Studios Kommetjie, this year. In Tracey’s words: “We are so proud to be the official sponsor of Open Studios Kommetjie 2025! Supporting local artists and celebrating the creative spirit of our village is close to our hearts. Join us this December for a weekend of art, inspiration, and community.” Thank you so much Tracey and Seeff for your support and enthusiasm for us artists and our beautiful event, we love the collaborative heart of our village that makes Kommetjie such a special place to live and work in. Here Tracey visits artists @leahrolando_art and @ruthlerouxpaintings in their beautiful homes in the run up to @openstudioskommetjie 2024 #homesweethome #homeiswheretheheartis #SeeffSupportsTheArts #locallove #openstudioskommetjie

We are so excited to announce that Tracey @tracey_seeff from Seeff Kommetjie will once again be our sponsor for Open Studios Kommetjie, this year. In Tracey’s words: “We are so proud to be the official sponsor of Open Studios Kommetjie 2025! Supporting local artists and celebrating the creative spirit of our village is close to our hearts. Join us this December for a weekend of art, inspiration, and community.” Thank you so much Tracey and Seeff for your support and enthusiasm for us artists and our beautiful event, we love the collaborative heart of our village that makes Kommetjie such a special place to live and work in. Here Tracey visits artists @nicolettegeldenhuys and @alldermanart In the run up to @openstudioskommetjie 2024 #homesweethome #homeiswheretheheartis #SeeffSupportsTheArts #locallove #openstudioskommetjie

Repost from @ruthlerouxpaintings ‘ Night Swimming’ And some inspiration lately. Which is pretty much always nature and how insanely incredible it is. Humans can be cool too, as long as you stay off the news and spend time with rad people.

Repost from @kristenmcclarty_art Printing the final layer on my woodcut “Yellow rocks from a different angle” now exhibiting at RE Original Prints 2025 in London. This is the annual members’ exhibition of @re_printmakers and it is showing at @banksidegallery until 8 June. Please pop in if you’re around. #kristenmcclarty #printmaker #woodblock #woodblockprintmaking #woodcut #theprintinggirls #kristenmcclartyart #asenseofplace #reprint #reprintmakers

We love this one too! Repost from @astridblumerillustration • One of my favourite pieces from last year… Here in Shanghai~La – ‘An earthly paradise, particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia – an enduringly happy land, isolated from the world. The people who live in Shangri-La are almost immortal, living hundreds of years beyond the normal lifespan and only very slowly aging in appearance.’ 🌴🌴🌴 Acrylic ink on paper 400 x 400 mm. Framed in Walnut. SOLD

Repost from @mishvania_art A little snippet of the current piece I am working on, made using the leftover bits from a foil balloon my friend @katrien021 salvaged back in 2022, just as it was drifting out to sea. What a catastrophe that could’ve been! Plastic bags and balloons pose a huge threat to marine life, often mistaken as food. Also incorporated into this piece are recently found sweet and lollipop wrappers, collected on my beach walks. #seatostudio #mishvania_art #oceanplastic #plasticpollution #beachplastic #artsculpture #oceanpollution #southafricanartists #blingingblooms #foilballoon #lollipop