My 1st Mini African Safari at Lion Park here in Joburg

Hi Everyone, well its been about 5 weeks I am living here in South Africa and enjoying it very much.  I found out our furniture will arrive end of June so we will be able to move into our new home. I am so looking foward to setting up my new studio. 

On Sunday, we decided to take a drive out to the Lion Park north of Johannes burg. It was a lovely drive and sunny winter day here.  The weather has gotten somewhat colder. Even went down to 0 that night. 

The park was stunning. It was beautiful to see the rolling golden African plains, the beautiful different trees and the wonderful ainmals grazing.  The scenery is everything I thought it would be. Except for the elephants.  We also drove with our car thru the Lion Park and saw the beautiful lions and white lions. Very impressive.  I look foward to my visit to the park again and my next big safari at Kruger park.  

The visit truly inspired me and got my creative juices flowing. I am working on some sketches and hope to post some soon.  

Here are some beautiful pictures I took during our visit:

Entering the park

 Lots of beautiful arts and crafts. I loved these bowls & colours, lots of inspiration

 Love the trees and golden plains

 A beautiful site that justl lifts the spirts and makes you feel so alive

 love this view

 the lion cubs were just too adorable

 the majestic beautiful giraffe

 such a beautiful animal. I love the colours and pattern of their coat

 ahhh so shy

Love seeing them just out there like that

 beautiful colours of Africa life

 the Lion park & the head of the pride! so majestic

 the beautiful white lions of the lion park in Johanessburg

 so impressive, we got to see them at feeding time

 the sun was setting & lit up the beautiful African trees and sky

 our beautiful ride home, such a beautiful view with the sun setting making everything a fiery orange

 Snapped this wonderful photo of an African woman heading home with her children

 my new African drum...the colours are so inspiring

Lisa Lorenz Studios Moves to Johannesburg, South Africa

Hi everyone, sorry I have not been very active on my studio blog since some time.  I have been for the last few months extremely busy arranging things for our big move to South Africa.

Yes, after living back in Canada for 5 years, my husband and I decided to pick up our travelling ways once again, and have just relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa where my husband has taken an exciting position for the next couple of years. 

I am really looking forward to this new adventure and being inspired by the colourful and beautiful scenes of Africa.  Right now I am staying in a temporary apartment in the beautiful Melrose Arch area in Johannesburg.  I am awaiting for my belongings to arrive from overseas - sometime in early July and hope to begin painting in my new studio soon very soon when we move into our permanent home.

For the time being I have been visting the Joburg area and finding my way and enjoying this exciting diverse place.  I have also started driving around with my husband around the area as they drive on the left here in South Africa.   Will take some getting use to, but I think I can swing it in time..lol.  My husband is doing very well and on weekends we tour all over with the car.   Last weekened we went to an exciting Latin Festival and then on Sunday we walked around Norwood on Grant street and had a fabulous lunch at a wonderful little Italian restaurant "Giovannis"

I hope in the next weeks to work on some few sketches and ideas.   Please stay tuned for more new work to come.  I leave you with some pics so far from my visits in South Africa

Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton City. A beautiful impressive statue of wonderful Mr. Mandela

The trendy Melorse Arch area with lots of shopping, cafes and wonderful, tasy restaurants.

 

 Lunch at Melrose Arch

The unique African Moyo Restaurant, Melrose Arch

Wonderful statue in Joburg

Heading over the Nelson Mandela Bridge to Joburg

 City shot of Joburg

The Joburg tower you see from all over

World Cup Stadium in Soweto, shaped like a big African melting cup representing all the people in the "rainbow nation" which Mr. Manela named the people of South Africa

Beautiful Jackaranda trees aling many streets in South Africa. It's their fall/winter here. I am anxious next Spring to see these trees in bloom with their lovely purple flowers

 African Market and arts @ Rosebank. Lots of talented people and so many colours

 Old colourful buildings on Grant Avenue in the quaint Norwood. Jewish/Italian are with lots of yummy different places to eat.  We ate Italian at Giovannis and it was great! I highly recommend it!

Inside Gionvannis having a late Sunday lunch

We had a wonderful meal. One of the best Gnocchi and quattro fromagi sauces I have had in a long time. The portions are big enough to share.  We had so much left over we brought some home.  Andreas had a wonderful Veal Schnitzel with fried mushrooms


And nothing beats a nice glass of Italian wine to go with!


The unique Monte Casino up north from Sandton, designed and basically a replica of Sienna, etc. Tuscany.  I found it very well done and not tacky at all.  Inside the Casino there are many, cafes, restaurants and theatres for movies and shows.  We went to see Jersey Boys as the Teatro Monte Casino on Sunday evening.  Its a wonderful, interesting place to visit.

I have to say that it's really well done, everything is quite Italian Authentic looking.  I really enjoyed visiting. As you also may have seen by now from my art work, etc I am the hugest fan of beautiful Italy. So for me it was really nice to see when I can't get to my bella Italia.   

Jersey Boys, wonderful Musical. Please see it if you can! We really enjoyed it!


A great dinner at Moyo's. Our lovely waiter, he even painted my face. 
Was a fun night and very good food

Beautiful outdoor dining atmosphere at Moyo

Wonderful live jazz music at Moyo's with the wonderful Bheki Khouza, wonderfully talented, left handed guitarist and jazz musician

   Our wonderful flammed African style filet in a madagascar green pepper sauce. Filet stuffed with peppadews, mushroom, morogo south african wild spinach and mozzarella stuffed beef fillet,served with a madagascan green peppercorn

A happy Painted lady enjoying the jazz show with Mr. Khouza. So far I am really lovin my new home and have so much more to explore.  Thanks for reading my blog and enjoying my art work.

Dubrovnik Painting Video of my WIP

Hi Everyone, Here is a a Video Slide Show I made of my WIP of my latest "Dubrovnik Regatta" painting.   Watch a painting come to life here: http://youtu.be/aOZFarhPzoQ

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing all my friends, fellow artists and readers a Very Happy Valentine's Day!

Amore in Venice

Fresh off the easel: Majestic Dubrovnik, Croatia

Hi Everyone, Happy to announce that I finished my Dubrovnik painting today! And I am very pleased with the results.  Painting is 61 x 91 on gallery canvas.  Thanks for all of you for watching my WIP.   Fine Art and Canvas Prints, along with Greeting Cards, etc. will soon be available of my original painting.  Check my webpage where you can buy a print of this one of a kind painting.

Majestic Dubrovnik, 61 x 91 acrylic on gallery canvas.
Original painting is Sold